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With the Bears coming out of their bye week, we’re predicting Chicago’s final eight games.
Through the midway point of the 2021 season, the Chicago Bears are standing at 3-6 after losing four straight games. And while this team doesn’t appear destined for the postseason, there’s plenty to watch in these final stretch of games.
With the Bears coming out of their bye week, we’re predicting Chicago’s final eight games.
Can Chicago secure a playoff spot with a win against Green Bay? Our Bears Wire staff shares their predictions for Sunday’s Week 17 game.
The Chicago Bears are heading into the most important game of their season that’ll likely decide whether they’ll be preparing for the postseason or closing up shop until next year.
The Bears control their own playoff destiny. If they can beat the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, they’ll make the playoffs. But if they don’t, they’ll have to hope the Los Angeles Rams beat the Arizona Cardinals.
Can Chicago secure a playoff spot with a win against Green Bay? Our Bears Wire staff shares their predictions for Sunday’s Week 17 game.
Can Chicago keep their playoff hopes alive with a win against Jacksonville? Our Bears Wire staff shares their predictions for Sunday’s game.
The Chicago Bears have won two straight games, and they find themselves right in the thick of the NFC postseason race just one game out of the playoffs. Which means these final two weeks are even more important, especially considering they need to win out and need some help along the way.
It certainly helps that the Bears will face the 1-13 Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16, a game that could be over quickly or one that be surprisingly close.
Can Chicago keep their playoff hopes alive with a win against Jacksonville? Our Bears Wire staff shares their predictions for Sunday’s Week 16 game.
Former Green Bay Packers WR James Jones believes the Bears will be destroyed by the Falcons on Sunday.
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It’s either the biased stance of a former Green Bay Packer or an actual prediction, but NFL Network analyst James Jones believes the Atlanta Falcons are going to destroy the Chicago Bears 40-17 on Sunday.
Former NFL WR James Jones said on NFL Network that he's predicting that the Chicago Bears are going to lose 40-17 on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.😳
— Daniel Greenberg (@ChiSportUpdates) September 26, 2020
The Falcons offense has shown to move the ball and put up points as they’re ranked fourth in yards per game (443.0) and fifth in points per game (32.0). The Falcons have done that against quality teams like the Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys.
The issue for the Falcons is that their defense is atrocious. The Falcons have given up the second-most yards allowed per game in the NFL (476.5) and the most points allowed per game (39.0).
For the Bears, they are going to have to keep the Falcons offense in check, which no team has done for the first two weeks. The Bears might get a break too with receiver Julio Jones listed as a game-time decision.
The offense has shown flashes of having a quality unit but hasn’t put it together for a full game, and the same could go for the defense. The Bears defense is going to have to play a perfect game or the offense is going to have to keep up with the high-powered Falcons offense.
Nonetheless, if Jones predicted the Bears defense to have a good day and the offense to have a bad dag or vice versa, that’s understandable. But, to have both units struggle against the Falcons seems a bit much.
Which Bears rookie is poised to help the team the most? Our Bears Wire staff shares their picks for Chicago’s rookie of the year.
The Chicago Bears are looking to rebound following a disappointing season, and they have some rookies that are poised to make an impact in 2020.
While the Bears were without a first-round pick for the second straight year, they did have a pair of second-round selections where they addressed two significant needs with tight end Cole Kmet and cornerback Jaylon Johnson.
Chicago also snagged someone intriguing prospects in the fifth round in edge rusher Trevis Gipson, cornerback Kindle Vildor and receiver Darnell Mooney. The Bears also added a pair of offensive linemen in Arlington Hambright and Lachavious Simmons in the seventh round.
But which Bears rookie is poised to help the team the most in his rookie season? Is it Kmet, who should bring in an instant burst to Chicago’s tight end room? Is is Johnson, who figures to be the favorite to land the vacant cornerback spot opposite Kyle Fuller? Or perhaps Mooney, who should bring speed to the Bears’ offense?
Our Bears Wire staff shares their picks for Chicago’s rookie of the year, and it’s nearly a clean sweep.
The Bears got an absolute steal in Johnson in the second round of the NFL Draft, who many had pegged as a first-round talent. He’s a versatile, athletic corner who has a great chance of locking down a starting spot in his rookie year. Johnson is the clear-cut favorite to win the starting job opposite Kyle Fuller, and he has the tools and opportunity to make an immediate impact in his rookie season. And if Chicago’s pass rush returns to its 2018 form, he’ll benefit significantly.
Johnson knows that there were six cornerbacks taken ahead of him in the draft, and that’s a chip that he’s carrying on his shoulders. He’s aiming to accomplish some significant milestones in his rookie season, including winning the starting job, earning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors and winning a Super Bowl. Bears fans would love nothing better than for all of those to come to fruition.
Here’s how the Bears Wire staff sees Bears’ 2020 season shaking out.
There are roughly four months — hopefully- until the start of the 2020 NFL season. With the release of the Chicago Bears’ 2020 schedule, it’s natural to do a deep-dive into the opponents and ultimately how the schedule shakes out.
Following a disappointing 2019 season, confidence isn’t exactly high surrounding the Bears heading into 2020. But aside from challenges against teams like the Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Chicago’s schedule is pretty favorable.
Still, that’s no guarantee for a team that had one of the worst offenses a season ago and has plenty to prove if they hope to be in the playoff conversation come December.
Here’s how the Bears Wire staff sees Bears’ 2020 season shaking out.
After everything went right for the Bears in 2018, everything went about as bad as it could the following season in 2019, which ended with a 8-8 record. Chicago had one of the worst offenses in the NFL, but they also had one of the best defenses.
Obviously, the success of this 2020 Bears team hinges on the success of the quarterback — whichever guy winds up lining up under center, Mitchell Trubisky or Nick Foles. But when looking at this Bears team from a season ago, you can’t say they didn’t upgrade at several positions. Sure, they lost some key depth pieces on defense and a veteran receiver in Taylor Gabriel. But Chicago upgraded at quarterback and tight end, as well as pass rusher, safety and you could argue cornerback with rookie Jaylon Johnson.
While it’s difficult to judge opponents early in the offseason, the Bears’ schedule appears favorable. If they can stay relatively healthy, get adequate play from their offense and let their dominant defense lead the way, there’s no doubt they’ll be competing for a playoff spot — and possibly an NFC North title — late in the season.
Are the Bears closer to their 12-4 record in 2018, or their 8-8 record in 2019? I believe they’re right in the middle at 10-6. Their defense could be even better than their 2018 campaign with the additions of OLB Robert Quinn and S Tashuan Gipson. If rookie CB Jaylon Johnson is the real deal, their secondary will see a significant boost in production.
The unit’s overall athleticism will benefit them against aging immobile quarterbacks like Tom Brady, Drew Brees, and Philip Rivers. Even with a mediocre offense led by Mitchell Trubisky or Nick Foles, they can still grind their way to tough victories. This team will be in contention for a playoff spot right up until the end of the season.
At worst, I have the Bears going 8-8. Assuming Trubisky can rebound and look more like the 2018 version, they may be able to reach 10 wins. The defense, on paper, is arguably better than it was in 2018 and will figure to be the backbone again in 2020.
I like what the Bears have done to upgrade the tight end position with Cole Kmet potentially being the steal of the draft. Ted Ginn Jr. was a solid, veteran signing and should be a threat as a number three option for the Bears offense. Look for the offensive line to bounce back as well after a down year.
Check out game-by-game score predictions from around the NFL Wires network:
Buf / Mia / NE / NYJ // Bal / Cin / Cle / Pit // Hou / Ind / Jax / Ten // Den / KC / LV / LAC //// Dal / NYG / Phi / Was // Chi / Det / GB / Min // Atl / Car / NO / TB // Ari / LAR / SF / Sea
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