Dec 16, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Clay Matthews (52) sacks Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) during the second half at Soldier Field. The Green Bay Packers defeat the Chicago Bears 21-13. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Week 9: Chicago Bears @ Green Bay Packers (MNF)
The Bears have to wait until Monday Night Football coming off their BYE week to square off with their hated rival to the North. Aaron Rodgers carved up Lovie Smith’s defense like no other but I think Mel Tucker will have a few wrinkles in store for the Cheeseheads and Cutler and the Bears offense find a way to surprise Clay Matthews and the Packers D. Bears start the Marc Trestman era of the Bears Packers rivalry in fine fashion.
Bears 26 – Packers 24
Week 10: Detroit Lions vs Chicago Bears
The Bears will bounce back after a tough road loss to the Lions in Week 4. Besides, the Bears always win at home in this series.
Bears 34 – Lions 24
Week 11: Baltimore Ravens vs Chicago Bears
The reigning Super Bowl Champions bring the Lombardi Trophy tour through Soldier Field. Like the Bears, they’ll be taking the field without their team leader, although Ray Lewis’ departure went a heck of a lot differently than Urlacher’s parting with the Bears. The Ravens defense has a harder time adjusting to life without Lewis than the Bears do without Urlacher and stun the world champs.
Bears 24 – Ravens 20
Sep 23, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) catches a pass over St. Louis Rams cornerback Cortland Finnegan (31) during the fourth quarter at Soldier Field. The Bears won 23-6. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Week 12: Chicago Bears @ St. Louis Rams
The Rams have a solid defense and quarterback to build around but they’ll have a tough time competing in the challenging NFC West. Expect a TON of Bears fans to invade St Louis for this one and the Bears do not disappoint their road-weary fans.
Bears 26 – Rams 16
Week 13: Chicago Bears @ Minnesota Vikings
In a Week 2 rematch, the Bears will have a tough time in their last trip to the Metrodome.
Vikings 21 – Bears 17
Week 14: Dallas Cowboys vs Chicago Bears (MNF)
Tony Romo got PAID in the offseason, opening the door for other middling, underachieving quarterbacks to seek $100+ million dollar deals. The Bears will face the Cowboys for the third time in the last four seasons, with the last two being wins on the road in Big D on Monday Night Football. Will the Cowboys exact their revenge at Soldier Field? Look for Joe DeCamillis special teams play against his former team to be the difference.
Bears 24 – Cowboys 20
Week 15: Chicago Bears @ Cleveland Browns
This Browns team has some young pieces and could be a surprise team in 2013. But then again, the Bears catch a break, since by this time in the season, the Browns will have faded back to fourth in the AFC North. Trent Richardson will be sidelined and Cutler and the Bears will abuse the Browns secondary.
Bears 28 – Browns 13
Nov 07, 2011; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Chicago Bears center Roberto Garza (63) prepares to snap the ball to quarterback Jay Cutler (6) during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. the Bears defeated the Eagles 30-24. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Week 16: Chicago Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles
The Bears head to Philadelphia just in time to watch Eagles fans throw snowballs at Santa Claus. Chip Kelly and the Eagles make strides, but they’re still a team in rebuilding mode but the Bears struggle in the hostile Lincoln Financial Field.
Eagles 27 – Bears 20
Week 17: Green Bay Packers vs Chicago Bears
The Bears need to do something to bounce back in this series. It’s not much of a rivalry when one team dominates the win column. When Lovie Smith was hired, he made beating the Packers a priority and early on in his tenure, it worked, but the Bears’ record vs the Packers is just 31-16 since 1990. Could this one be for the NFC North or will the Packers be resting their starters? The Bears shock the Packers at home.
Bears 29 – Packer 28
By my count, that gets the Bears t0 10 wins yet again but will that be enough to get them to the playoffs? Am I being overly optimistic? Do you really think they can sweep the Packers? What is the toughest stretch of games? Am I drunk on Bears Kool Aide and which prediction is the most absurd? These absurdly early predictions need your comments.