Click to enlarge.
Boomer (9-7)
The Bears enter the season returning all 11 starters for the second ranked 2013 offense. They only return a handful of starters from the worst defense in franchise history. Special teams won’t be the same as Patrick Mannelly and Devin Hester have gone in different directions. The Bears’ front line talent is good enough to make a run in the postseason, but injuries could expose some depth concerns.
The Bears have a very difficult front end of the schedule, only playing three home games out of the first nine games. That means they get a lot of home games late in the season when they can get on a run that could carry them into the playoffs. This team doesn’t seem quite ready for the big dance in 2014, but if they can get things rolling late in the season, you never know.
Da Windy City
Mike Flannery (10-6)
The Bears have a tough schedule, but Jay Cutler has his best year as a Bear (4,000 yards, 34 TDs) and the offense improves on their break through 2013 season finishing just short of 30 points a game (29.7). The defense is improved with all the new additions and finishes ranked in the top 20 (just barely, 20th) which is enough for the Bears to win 10 games and make the playoffs for the first time in 4 years. The Bears get knocked out in the first round (Saints) but lay the groundwork for a longer run in 2015 (Super Bowl!).
Lije (10-6)
The Bears offense will be very good, but not great. Their defense will be mediocre. Their special teams will cost them a game or two. I see them sneaking into the playoffs but not getting past the first or second round.