The Chicago Bears become playoff contenders
Yes, the Chicago Bears struggled over the past six seasons to contend for the playoffs. They’ve had a couple of they nearly made it (2012 and 2013), but for the most part, they’ve not been very good.
I think Pace did a good job of trying to change all that. He revamped the offense so it looks like a modern-day one. The passing game is improved with added speed and receivers with good hands. The running game is as good as ever and the tight end unit should play well.
In addition, the Bears defense is very underrated. It was a top-ten unit last season, but not many people outside of Chicago actually know that. The team re-signed an important part of the unit — defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. He does a great job of putting his players in position to succeed. The defense last season suffered from injuries and poor depth, yet still excelled. Roquan Smith (when he finally signs) solidifies the inside linebacker crew. Additionally, the infusion of good young players makes the defense more athletic, and if everyone stays relatively healthy, they’ll take a step up and become a top-10 defense.
The signing of Cody Parkey is a very good one. There were a lot of close games that the Bears. For example, of their 11 losses, five of them were by a touchdown or less. Of those five, three of them were by a field goal or less. In close games, special teams play is crucial. A field goal here or there is the difference between a win or a loss. Parker is a very good kicker and a huge upgrade from what the Bears had last season. He’ll end up winning some games for Chicago.
With the improved roster, the Bears will win some of those close games they lost a year ago. They’ll be in contention for a playoff spot all season long. The fans will be happy with the team’s progression.
Prediction: Bears finish 9-7, second in the NFC North, just miss the playoffs.
I needed this laugh today, been a while I had one this good. For sure should have saved it for April fools!!
TO EARLY TO COMMENT ON TEAM PERFORMANCE – – LET’S TALK AFTER THE DENVER GAME.
Nasty old troll with a big cheesy head skulking around looking for mud to throw. Dylan named this kind of trash, “cares not to come up any higher, but rather get you down in the hole that he’s in”.
Wow … overall solid post, but you short hopped that Trubisky “bold” prediction. Don’t get me wrong. Those numbers for a year two QB look really solid and 3,876 passing yards would (sadly) be a new Bears single-season passing record (3,838 by Erik Kramer in … 1995!!), even if only by 38 yards. But if 3,876 leads arguably the best QB division in the league, it won’t be because of regression. It will be because Rodgers, Stafford and Cousins ALL suffered season ending injuries (not that I’m wishing that on anyone)! Combined, these three have only produced 2 seasons where the QB has started 12+ games and threw for less than 4,000 yards (Rodgers in 2010 [3,922] and 2015 [3,821]). Since becoming the full-time starter in WAS, Cousins has never thrown for less than 4,000 yards (3 straight seasons). And since overcoming his early career injury woes, Stafford has started every game for the last 7 years and has never thrown for less than 4,257 yards. A regression is both possible and likely (looking at you, Kirk), for any of these QBs. But ALL three? Highly improbable. So if 3,876 yards is good enough to lead the division, then catastrophe striking the NFC North is the only reasonable explanation.
The majority of GM’s have lousy drafts more than good. Look at the Browns. All their 1st rd picks from 2012-2017 are not on the roster. Even with Stafford the Lions are still mediocre. The Bills made the PO’s last year for the first time since Jim Kelly. Don’t know how tolerant the Bears are but Pace could be in trouble should the Bears fail to make the PO’s this season or next.
So 3,876 yards will lead the NFC North in passing? What a joke.