Keith: Pete Caroll has changed starting QB’s 3 times by week 13 with no answer in sight. Bears dominate from the start Bears 31 Seahawks 13
Week 14 @ Vikings (Wins in BOLD)
Boomer: The Bears get the Vikings twice in three games. The Metrodome used to be a house of horrors for the Bears, but the horror show will be the Vikings all season long. Bears almost get caught looking past Vikings, but survive with a win. Bears 17-14
Tooch: The last-place Vikings put up a good fight, but fall short against the determined Bears. Bears 27-Vikings 23
Deez: The Bears D shows it can still dominate a game, forcing turnover after turnover. Jennings emerges as top DB. Bears 24-7
Decon: The second meeting in three weeks…same story, Cutler begins making reservations for Hawaii. Bears 24 Vikings 13
Jimmy: Mall of America Field is once again haunted by a severe injury of the Bears defense. Midway through the third quarter, Charles Tillman wraps up Vikings wideout Jerome Simpson. Tillman keeps him upright for a teammate to come for a strip. Instead, the play turns into a football smorgasbord of players from both teams, with Tillman receiving a season-ending dislocated shoulder. Chicago prevails, but at the cost of their finest corner: Chicago 27, Vikings 13
Bart: not much time has passed since the last beatdown. The game is a little closer in the Metrodome, but the Bears sweep the season series with the purple people eaters continuing the downward spiral of the Vikings. W
Keith: The stupid Viking horn never sounds because the Bears pitch a road shut out! Bears 23 Vikings 0
Dec 25, 2011; Green Bay, WI, USA; The Chicago Bears line up for a play against the Green Bay Packers during the game at Lambeau Field. The Packers defeated the Bears 35-21. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE
Week 15 vs Green Bay Packers (Wins in BOLD)
Boomer: With the division on the line, the Bears look to avenge a Week 2 loss against the hated Packers. As the weather gets colder, the Packers’ lack of a consistent running game costs them. Bears 19-17
Tooch: The Bears’ playoff hopes could be in jeopardy after Aaron Rodgers runs for 2 TDs against them. Packers 28-Bears 26
Deez: Just as the Mayans predicted, the Bears prove to be just as good as the Packers. If the world ends on 12/21/12, at least the Bears got the last laugh. Bears 32-28
Decon: The Pack comes to town and Rodgers exacts his revenge as the division title has yet to be locked up. Packers 27 Bears 26
Jimmy: No Tillman at starting corner is making fans and media question whether or not this is the end for the 2012 season. Playing the Packers gives the impression Chicago’s secondary will be torched by Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson. The Packers’ wideouts run wild against Chicago’s weak secondary: Packers 30, Chicago 20
Bart: with another season series sweep on the line, the Bears let down their fan base again at home by letting the Packers beat them in a critical Division game late. L
Keith: Bears cost themselves the division on a Jordy Nelson bomb late in the 4th quarter Packers 28 Bears 24
Week 16 @ Arizona Cardinals (Wins in BOLD)
Jan. 1, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver (11) Larry Fitzgerald against the Seattle Seahawks at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Seahawks 23-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE
Boomer: By Week 16, maybe the Cardinals have the quarterback situation figured out. The good news for the Bears is that the Cardinals may have a worse offensive line than they do. Julius Peppers and Co have a big day. Devin Hester with a return TD with a nod to Denny Green. Bears 33-23
Tooch: Dennis Green won’t be able to watch this one as the Bears’ defense helps squeak out a win. Bears 17-Cardinals 14
Deez: The Bears defense dominates, led by Conte/Briggs and the offense scorches the Cardinals in the desert. The Bears lock up a playoff spot after the world doesn’t come to an end, despite Cubs fans prayers. Bears 42-9
Decon: The Cardinals are on their 3rd starting QB of the season and the Bears feast in the desert. Bears 27 Cardinals 3
Jimmy: After snapping during a post game press conference, Lovie Smith says his team needs to find its identity on defense. Kevin Kolb and John Skelton both get time at QB for Arizona. Neither player offers a spark, and Forte has his way with the Cardinals’ defense: Bears 21, Cardinals 10
Bart: after a disappointing loss to the Packers the week before, the Bears fight for playoff positioning and take care of the mediocre Cardinals setting up an important Week 17 game against Detroit. W
Keith: Bears clinch a playoff spot and Dennis Green states that the Bears are who we thought they were… A wild card team. Bears 28 Cardinals 7
Week 17 @ Detroit Lions (Wins in BOLD)
Nov 13, 2011; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) is hurried by Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (90) in the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-US PRESSWIRE
Boomer: This one could be for a playoff berth. The Lions aren’t going to lay down as Stafford and Calvin Johnson outscore Cutler and Marshall. Lions 35-31
Tooch: The season doesn’t end well as the Bears become scoreboard watchers, hoping for a playoff spot. Lions 33-Bears 20
Deez: The Lions are forced to forfeit after the third quarter when their entire defense is arrested for stealing team equipment. Bears keep Lions out of playoffs as Urlacher makes it through the entire season. Bears 24-23
Decon: The Lions will be playing for pride but realize they are still the Lions. Bears 21 Lions 17
Jimmy: Too much parity offers excitement in the final week of the NFL season. Fighting for a playoff spot, the Bears head north to play the Detroit Lions on the road. With the Lions’ season in flux, Jay Cutler puts together his best performance of the season throwing four touchdown passes: Bears 31, Lions 13
Bart: to end the roller-coaster end of their season, the Bears lose a tough on in Detroit setting up a crazy NFC playoff scenario. L
Keith: Bears rest starters in meaningless game while Detroit has to win to get in. Lions 35 Bears 14
WHEW!!! We just topped 5000 words on this post. First off, let me thank my terrific team of writers for their hard work to make their detailed picks. Do you agree with us? What’s your prediction for the Bears this season? How many wins will they get? Will they make a deep playoff run or will Lovie Smith being looking for a new job come January? Vote in our poll and post your predictions in the Comments.
We’re looking forward to a great season and hope you’ll be with us every step of the way.