Predicting All 16 Chicago Bears Games: BGO Staff Picks
Michael Curcio (11-5)
Coming off of an 8-8 season, there’s no question in my mind that the Bears have improved. They will have all 11 starters returning on offense, along with a healthy Jay Cutler. Depth is a concern but this offense will remain one of the league’s elite and will have no issues moving the ball on a weekly basis. This is also one of the best pass blocking offensive lines in the league.
Defensively, the Bears have improved at all 3 levels. The defensive line finally has some capable personnel and depth as this is the team’s most improved unit, by far. I was one of those that was scratching my head when Mel Tucker was asked to return, but the additions of Paul Pasqualoni as d-Line coach and Reggie Herring as linebacker’s coach, will certainly help. LB DJ Williams is back and healthy while the young LB Jon Bostic has a full year under his belt. On top of these improvements, one of the biggest and overlooked upgrades will be in nickel packages, where Kyle Fuller replaces Isiah Frey. Safety is still a major concern, but when your defensive line can sustain pressure on opposing quarterbacks, you can get away with lower than average safety play.
My 3 biggest areas of concern are safety, strong side linebacker and special teams (it’s been a while since we said that). I’m confident that someone will emerge as a serviceable returner on special teams, but I don’t think Shea McClellin makes it through 4 games before being replaced. If I were an opposing offensive coordinator, I would run 85% of my plays at McClellin and the strong side. This will be a position to watch closely on Sunday.
The Bears have their issues, but what team doesn’t? The strength of schedule is in the middle of the league, so I think it all comes together as the season plays on. All of these changes justify at least a 3 win improvement and a run at the NFC title. Do they have enough to overtake the Seahawks in the NFC? We will see, but I am more excited about this season than I have been in a long time. BEAR DOWN!
Alex Zorn (10-6)
With a tough stretch of games to begin the season both the Bears offense and defense will be tested early. Jay Cutler will need to get off to a hot start if the team hopes to stay competitive in a schedule that in the first nine weeks has the Bears playing the 49ers, Packers twice, Panthers and Patriots, all playoff teams a season ago. If Chicago can survive the first half of their schedule, only games against the Lions and Saints will prevent the team from heading into the postseason on a relentless winning streak.
Aside from Special Teams, Chicago will have a better and more aggressive team in 2014 and while I think their schedule will prevent them from winning the division, the Bears have the talent to secure a Wildcard spot in the NFC.
Verdict: 10-6, 2nd NFC Wild Card, Super Bowl XLIX Champions
Cameron Curtis (10-6)
I fully expect the Bears’ offense to be even more prolific than they were a year ago, but it won’t be enough to get them to the Super Bowl. I’ve said that fixing the defense would be a multi-year project since the end of last season, and I’m sticking to it. While the defensive line figures to be vastly improved this season, the back seven is still keeping me up at night. Despite the addition of first round pick Kyle Fuller, I still see the Bears’ secondary struggling this year. I have the Bears going 10-6 and winning the NFC North, but I think it will be at least one more year before they are true contenders.