Bernard Berrian is having a heck of a season. Especially when you consider that the only two quarterback options for the Minnesota Vikings are Gus Frerotte and Tavaris Jackson. And now, David Haugh of the Trib is arguing that Berrian’s absence — more than any individual bone-headed Bears’ play this season — is what will cost the team a shot at the playoffs.

But contrary to popular belief, if the Bears miss the playoffs, they didn’t squander away their season in September or October.

That happened in February.

As much as players or coaches contributed to the games that got away this season, the Bears’ front office bears just as much responsibility for letting Berrian impact the playoff race for a division rival.

And, um, yeah … he’s got a pretty good point. You most certainly recall, Bears fans, that Berrian was the guy on the receiving end of the game changing 99-yard touchdown reception after the Vikings stuffed Chicago on 4th-and-1. And, you also likely recall that Berrian is by definition a “big play receiver,” even if Kyle Orton probably couldn’t hit him half the time.

See, look no further than the fact that, other than Devery Henderson, Berrian is second in the NFL (of relevant receivers, assuming 500 yards on the year qualifies you as such) in terms of average yards per catch, checking in at 20.6.

He has six receiving touchdowns (again, think about his quarterback) and would have been the biggest target on an otherwise relatively target-less team, especially once Orton started to find his rhythm again. And, as Haugh points out, all the Bears had to do was slap the franchise tag on him. That simple, folks, and suddenly, not only are the Bears greatly improved in terms of personnel, but the Vikings are absolutely, 100 percent debilitated as far as the passing game goes. And while, yeah, it is easy to look at the blunders from this year (and there are plenty) it’s going to be a tough pill to swallow if Berrian makes big plays to help the Vikes advance in the playoffs.