Last night an unbelievable Bears coin toss streak of success ended

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article_body => "<p>When the Minnesota Vikings won last night's coin toss and elected to defer, it meant Bears fans got a first look at Mitchell Trubisky right out of the gates.<\/p>\n<p><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Vikings have won the toss and have elected to defer.<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/DaBears?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#DaBears<\/a> will start <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/MINvsCHI?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#MINvsCHI<\/a> with the ball.<\/p>— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ChicagoBears\/status\/917546554097061889?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">October 10, 2017<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n<p>But lost in that simple coin toss was that it ended a pretty wild winning streak the Bears had going.<\/p>\n<p>Prior to last night, the Bears had won each of the last 15 coin tosses to begin games and overtimes.<\/p>\n<p>Seriously.<\/p>\n<p>Week 4 against the Packers:<\/p>\n<p><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The Bears win the toss and defer. The <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Packers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Packers<\/a> will receive <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/CHIvsGB?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#CHIvsGB<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoPackGo?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#GoPackGo<\/a><\/p>— Green Bay Packers (@packers) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/packers\/status\/913559299523272704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 29, 2017<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n<p>Week 3 against the Steelers:<\/p>\n<p><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Bears?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Bears<\/a> win coin toss and choose to defer. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Steelers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Steelers<\/a> ball to start<\/p>— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BradBiggs\/status\/911999031773147136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 24, 2017<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n<p>Also Week 3 against the Steelers in overtime:<\/p>\n<p><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Bears win the OT toss and choose to receive.<\/p>— Rich Campbell (@Rich_Campbell) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Rich_Campbell\/status\/912047395155906561?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 24, 2017<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n<p>Week 2 against the Bucs:<\/p>\n<p><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Bears win toss and defer, so Bucs will get the ball first in today's opener.<\/p>— Greg Auman (@gregauman) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/gregauman\/status\/909462288532373504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 17, 2017<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n<p>Week 1 against the Falcons:<\/p>\n<p><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Bears?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Bears<\/a> have won the toss and elected to defer.<br><br>Falcons will start <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/ATLvsCHI?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#ATLvsCHI<\/a> with the ball.<\/p>— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ChicagoBears\/status\/906925755464024064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 10, 2017<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n<p>Preseason Week 4 against the Browns:<\/p>\n<p><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Bears?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Bears<\/a> have won the toss and have elected to receive to start <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/CLEvsCHI?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#CLEvsCHI<\/a>.<\/p>— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ChicagoBears\/status\/903408113537167360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 1, 2017<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n<p>Preseason Week 3 against the Titans:<\/p>\n<p><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Bears?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Bears<\/a> have won the toss and have deferred until 2nd half.<br>Titans to start with the ball.<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/TENvsCHI?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#TENvsCHI<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoBears?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#GoBears<\/a><\/p>— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ChicagoBears\/status\/901853580633792512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 27, 2017<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n<p>Preseason Week 2 against the Cardinals:<\/p>\n<p><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Bears?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Bears<\/a> have won the toss and will receive to begin <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/CHIvsAZ?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#CHIvsAZ<\/a>.<\/p>— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ChicagoBears\/status\/899090269374734336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 20, 2017<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n<p>Preseason Week 1 against the Broncos:<\/p>\n<p><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Bears?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Bears<\/a> have won the toss and will receive. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/DENvsCHI?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#DENvsCHI<\/a><\/p>— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ChicagoBears\/status\/895798140040818689?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 11, 2017<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n<p>Week 17 last season against the Vikings:<\/p>\n<p><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Bears?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Bears<\/a> won the toss and have deferred. Vikings will start with the ball.<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/CHIvMIN?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#CHIvMIN<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/FeedDaBears?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#FeedDaBears<\/a><\/p>— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ChicagoBears\/status\/815619143248543744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 1, 2017<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n<p>Week 16 last season against the Redskins:<\/p>\n<p><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Bears?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Bears<\/a> have won the toss and have elected to defer.<br>Redskins will get the ball first.<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/WASvsCHI?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#WASvsCHI<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/FeedDaBears?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#FeedDaBears<\/a><\/p>— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ChicagoBears\/status\/812719761889128453?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 24, 2016<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n<p>Week 15 last season against the Packers:<\/p>\n<p><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Bears?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Bears<\/a> have won the toss and have elected to defer. <br>Packers will start <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GBvsCHI?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#GBvsCHI<\/a> with the ball.<\/p>— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ChicagoBears\/status\/810545462512123904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 18, 2016<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n<p>Week 14 last season against the Lions:<\/p>\n<p><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The Bears won the toss and deferred. Lions ball first. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/CHIvsDET?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#CHIvsDET<\/a><\/p>— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ttwentyman\/status\/808008672249020417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 11, 2016<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n<p>Week 13 last season against the 49ers:<\/p>\n<p><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Bears?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Bears<\/a> have won the toss and will defer. 49ers to begin <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/SFvsCHI?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#SFvsCHI<\/a> with the ball.<\/p>— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ChicagoBears\/status\/805472020943212544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 4, 2016<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n<p>OK, got that all? Want to go back real quick and cross-check the dates to make sure we didn't make that up? It's all real, and according to some math folks a lot smarter than us it's also really, really, really rare.<\/p>\n<p>The odds of winning 14 straight coin tosses like the Bears did (thanks for the help, Internet) is 1 in 16,384! We checked our work and the formula is 2^14. Basically, there are two potential outcomes and the Bears had the coin flipped 14 times. That produces 16,384 different outcomes. The odds of the Bears winning the toss a 15th straight time was 1 in 32,768.<\/p>\n<p>Pretty wild stuff. And the irony, of course, is that there was a 50\/50 chance each week that the streak would be broken.<\/p>\n<p>So shoutout to the Titans, who in Week 12 of last year won the coin toss against the Bears. They had no idea the kind of coin-toss juggernaut they knocked off.<\/p>\n<p><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Titans have won the toss and have deferred. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Bears?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Bears<\/a> will begin <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/TENvsCHI?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#TENvsCHI<\/a> with the ball.<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/FeedDaBears?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#FeedDaBears<\/a><\/p>— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ChicagoBears\/status\/802935270886830085?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 27, 2016<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n<p>Time for Trubisky and the Bears to start a new streak next week against the Ravens.<\/p>\n"
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Bears

When the Minnesota Vikings won last night's coin toss and elected to defer, it meant Bears fans got a first look at Mitchell Trubisky right out of the gates.

Vikings have won the toss and have elected to defer.#DaBears will start #MINvsCHI with the ball.
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 10, 2017

But lost in that simple coin toss was that it ended a pretty wild winning streak the Bears had going.

Prior to last night, the Bears had won each of the last 15 coin tosses to begin games and overtimes.

Seriously.

Week 4 against the Packers:

The Bears win the toss and defer. The #Packers will receive #CHIvsGB #GoPackGo
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 29, 2017

Week 3 against the Steelers:

#Bears win coin toss and choose to defer. #Steelers ball to start
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) September 24, 2017

Also Week 3 against the Steelers in overtime:

Bears win the OT toss and choose to receive.
— Rich Campbell (@Rich_Campbell) September 24, 2017

Week 2 against the Bucs:

Bears win toss and defer, so Bucs will get the ball first in today's opener.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) September 17, 2017

Week 1 against the Falcons:

#Bears have won the toss and elected to defer.

Falcons will start #ATLvsCHI with the ball.
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) September 10, 2017

Preseason Week 4 against the Browns:

#Bears have won the toss and have elected to receive to start #CLEvsCHI.
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) September 1, 2017

Preseason Week 3 against the Titans:

#Bears have won the toss and have deferred until 2nd half.
Titans to start with the ball.#TENvsCHI #GoBears
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 27, 2017

Preseason Week 2 against the Cardinals:

The #Bears have won the toss and will receive to begin #CHIvsAZ.
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 20, 2017

Preseason Week 1 against the Broncos:

#Bears have won the toss and will receive. #DENvsCHI
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 11, 2017

Week 17 last season against the Vikings:

#Bears won the toss and have deferred. Vikings will start with the ball.#CHIvMIN #FeedDaBears
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) January 1, 2017

Week 16 last season against the Redskins:

#Bears have won the toss and have elected to defer.
Redskins will get the ball first.#WASvsCHI #FeedDaBears

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 24, 2016

Week 15 last season against the Packers:

#Bears have won the toss and have elected to defer.
Packers will start #GBvsCHI with the ball.
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 18, 2016

Week 14 last season against the Lions:

The Bears won the toss and deferred. Lions ball first. #CHIvsDET
— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) December 11, 2016

Week 13 last season against the 49ers:

#Bears have won the toss and will defer. 49ers to begin #SFvsCHI with the ball.
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 4, 2016

OK, got that all? Want to go back real quick and cross-check the dates to make sure we didn't make that up? It's all real, and according to some math folks a lot smarter than us it's also really, really, really rare.

The odds of winning 14 straight coin tosses like the Bears did (thanks for the help, Internet) is 1 in 16,384! We checked our work and the formula is 2^14. Basically, there are two potential outcomes and the Bears had the coin flipped 14 times. That produces 16,384 different outcomes. The odds of the Bears winning the toss a 15th straight time was 1 in 32,768.

Pretty wild stuff. And the irony, of course, is that there was a 50/50 chance each week that the streak would be broken.

So shoutout to the Titans, who in Week 12 of last year won the coin toss against the Bears. They had no idea the kind of coin-toss juggernaut they knocked off.

Titans have won the toss and have deferred. #Bears will begin #TENvsCHI with the ball.#FeedDaBears
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) November 27, 2016

Time for Trubisky and the Bears to start a new streak next week against the Ravens.