Strong finish by resurgent Bears might save Jauron

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Their margin for error wiped out by a 1-5 start, the Chicago Bears tackle their final four games knowing coach Dick Jauron's future could rest on the results.

"I'd love to win the rest of the games and go into the playoffs and make all those other people regret they ever said what they said about him, about losing his job or whatever," defensive end Phillip Daniels said.

"If there is any problem with us not winning, it's not Jauron. He's not our problem at all."

The Bears have won four of their last six -- the two losses were two-pointers -- and have beaten Denver and Arizona the last two weeks to pull to 5-7. That's reopened the debate on whether Jauron will make it back next season, since he has another year left on his contract.

Win out and the Bears would finish 9-7, ensuring the coach's return. Taking three out of four for 8-8 is a question mark. If the Bears finish 7-9 it would mark Jauron's fourth losing season in five years. His overall record is 33-43.

The Bears play at Green Bay today and have lost 17 of their last 19 to the Packers, although, oddly enough, they usually play their biggest rival tougher in Lambeau Field than they do at home.

There are also home games against the Redskins and Vikings -- the division leader in the NFC North -- and a season finale at Kansas City, which could have home field advantage in the playoffs wrapped up by the Dec. 28 game.

General manager Jerry Angelo would presumably make the call on Jauron, who got a contract extension following the Bears' 13-3 division-winning season of 2001 that brought him Coach of the Year honors.