Ridiculously Early Predictions for All 16 Chicago Bears Games
We’ve known all of the opponents for some time, but there’s something special about getting the full NFL schedule and marking the Wins and Losses on your calendar. Yes, I am fully aware that it’s crazy and there are countless variables that can happen between now and Week 1, but let’s take a look at each game and predict the outcomes:
Week 1: 9/9/12
vs Indianapolis Colts
Andrew Luck will most likely be heading over for his first trip to Soldier Field. Mr. Peppers and Co. make his debut one he wishes he could forget. WIN (1-0)
Week 2: 9/13/12 (Thursday Night Football)
@ Green Bay Packers
Bears and Packers open up Thursday Night Football in Lambeau. Bears look to avenge last year’s Christmas night loss to Aaron Rodgers and the Pack but not in Green Bay. LOSS (1-1)
Week 3: 9/23/12
vs St. Louis Rams
The Bears host former ’85 Jeff Fisher in his new gig as Rams’ head coach. Rams could be special in a couple of years, but not yet. WIN (2-1)
Week 4: 10/1/12 (Monday Night Football)
@ Dallas Cowboys
The Bears head back to Jerry World for a mathup with Tony Romo and the Cowboys. The Bears surprised the Cowboys in Dallas a couple of years ago. Not this time. LOSS (2-2)
Week 5: 10/7/12
@ Jacksonville Jaguars
The Bears head down to Jacksonville to pay a visit to Maurice Jones-Drew and Co. I hope the defense has a few extra shots for MJD after his Twitter rant against Jay Cutler from a couple of years ago. WIN (3-2)
Week 6: 10/13/12
BYE
Week 7: 10/21/12 (Monday Night Football)
vs Detroit Lions
The Bears host Matthew Stafford and Megatron as the Lions come to town in what is becoming an increasingly intense rivalry with their NFC North rivals. Bears return the favor of a Monday Night beatdown, like they took at the hands of the Lions last season. WIN (4-2)
Week 8: 10/27/12
vs Carolina Panthers
Cam Newton and Ron Rivera head to Soldier Field in what is becoming another frequent matchup. For the Panthers, it will be the same result as last year. WIN (5-2)
Week 9: 11/4/12
@ Tennessee Titans
Jay Cuter and Co. head back down to Nashville to re-capture the glory days. Titans look for a bounceback season, but not against the Chicago chapter of the Vandy Alumni Association. WIN (6-2)
Week 10: 11/11/12 (Sunday Night Football)
vs Houston Texans
Andre Johnson and Arian Foster head into Soldier Field for what should be a great matchup of offensive firepower. Cutler and Marshall best Schaub and Johnson. WIN (7-2)
Week 11: 11/19/12 (Monday Night Football)
@ San Francisco 49ers
The Bears had to the west coast to face the NFC runners-up. Think the special teams will be targeting Kyle Williams? This will be a tough one out west. LOSS (7-3)
Week 12: 11/25/12
vs Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings take on the role of the NFC North cellar dwellers usually occupied by the Lions. WIN (8-3)
Week 13: 12/2/12
vs Seattle Seahawks
It’s a pretty regular matchup between the Bears and Seahawks. Bears avenge a late season loss that sealed their playoff fate. WIN (9-3)
Week 14: 12/9/12
@ Minnesota Vikings
The Bears get the Vikings twice in a three week span? Sheesh! When do they blow up the Metrodome? WIN (10-3)
Week 15: 12/16/12
vs Green Bay Packers
The Bears square off with the NFC North Champs to continue the longest rivalry in the NFL. If the Bears are serious about competing for a Super Bowl, you have to beat the Packers at Soldier Field. WIN (11-3)
Week 16: 12/23/12
@ Arizona Cardinals
The Bears return to the scene of one of their greatest comebacks in team history. Think there’s any way they get Dennis Green to do the postgame presser? The Bears are not who we thought they were! LOSS (11-4)
Week 17: 12/30/12
@ Detroit Lions
The Bears will look to bounce back after a rough trip to Motown on Monday Night Football last year. You hate to end the season this way, but the Bears run out of gas as they split the season series with the Lions. LOSS (11-5)
I’ve got the Bears ending up at 11-5. In my first cut at this I had them at 12-4, but chalked up loss in Arizona that I wasn’t expecting. You know they’ll lose one that they shouldn’t.
What do you think? What’s your prediction? Do the Bears get to double digit wins? Is it a bounceback playoff appearance or do injuries derail another hopeful season? Vote in our poll and add your predictions in the Comments.