Wondering about a player, a past game or another issue involving the Bears? Senior writer Larry Mayer answers a variety of questions from fans on ChicagoBears.com.
It looked to me like Eagles tight end Zach Ertz shoved Kyle Fuller in the facemask on Ertz's touchdown reception Sunday in Philadelphia. Why didn't the Bears challenge that there was pass interference on the play?
Darryl P.
Toms River, New Jersey
It certainly looked that way to me as well. But the Bears could not challenge the ruling because it was a touchdown and all scoring plays are automatically reviewed. It is my understanding that that review includes looking at whether there was a pass interference penalty committed on the play, and the replay official did not think that was the case.
Have the Bears ever qualified for the playoffs after a 3-5 start?
Ronald W.
East Chicago, Indiana
Yes, they've done that twice. In 1977, they fell to 3-5 after getting crushed by the Houston Oilers 47-0 and then rebounded to win their last six games to finish 9-5 and earn a wild-card berth. (That was the final year before the NFL switched from a 14- to 16-game schedule.) The Bears also started 3-5 in 1979 and won seven of their final eight games to finish 10-6 and make the playoffs as a wildcard.
When was the last time the entire NFC North lost on the same day?
Tommy W.
Austin, Texas
It hasn't been that long. Last Sunday marked the first time that all four NFC North teams lost on the same day since last Dec. 2 when the Bears fell to the Giants 30-27, the Packers lost to the Cardinals 20-17 (and fired coach Mike McCarthy later that night), the Vikings fell to the Patriots 24-10 and the Lions lost to the Rams 30-16.
