A year ago, the Bears and Buccaneers sat in similar messes. And while the former stayed stuck in mediocrity, the latter vaulted out of it and into the Super Bowl.
The Bucs will face the Chiefs for the championship Sunday just one season removed from going 7-9 and finishing six games back in their division. Their former No. 1 overall pick at quarterback had flopped and was on his way out the door, and their defense allowed the fourth-most points in the NFL.
In some ways, their outlook was bleaker than that of the Bears, who at least gave themselves a chance by having one of the league’s best defenses.