Rather than spending the week investigating another illegal hit, NFL officials will look into allegations that Bears RB Marion Barber is being paid to tank by the Lions who are battling Chicago for a Wild Card spot.
Barber had a productive second half Sunday against Denver but blew the game on several occasions. First, he decided to run out of bounds rather than help run out the clock, which gave Broncos QB/possible miracle-worker Tim Tebow the opportunity to drive his team to a game-tying 57-yard field goal to send the game into overtime.
Then, in OT with the Bears driving well into field goal range, Barber lost a fumble that proved to be a back-breaker as Tebow and company marched down the field and nailed a game-winning field goal.
When asked about the allegations, coach Lovie Smith could only stare blankly into the sky while refusing to comment.
Speculation began to spread online shortly after the game when a rumor leaked that Barber was seen earlier this week with suspended Lions defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh at an all-you-can-eat Chinese restaurant. Witnesses claim they saw Suh pay for the dinner and give Barber a very large envelope.
Barber could not be reached for comment but his agent said that his client is most certainly not looking at real estate in Detroit.
