2016 Chicago Bears – Bold Predictions

5.) Bears win 11 games! – Joe Herbas

It sounds impossible after the Bears finished last in the NFC Central last year, but it can happen. With a veteran coach in John Fox, some good off-season moves, and a weak schedule, the Bears have a legitimate shot at 11 wins.

On offense, the Bears have a veteran QB in Jay Cutler.  Love him or hate him, he’s still better than half the quarterbacks in the league.  In today’s NFL, finding a QB is half the battle.  In Cutler, the Bears have a QB with the physical tools to get it done.  To go with Cutler, the Bears offense should get a boost with 2015 1st round pick Kevin White, who missed the entire 2015 season with an injury.

White’s speed and hands should improve the Bears’ receiving game this year (shout out to Speller predicting White will lead the Bears in receiving). With a decent WR group, and a good 1-2 punch at RB with Jeremy Langford and 2016 draft pick Jordan Howard, the Bears should have a balanced offense that can put points on the board.

On defense, the Bears have been awful the last few years, but the Bears finally did something about it.

The Bears significantly improved the inside linebacker position this offseason by signing stud LB Danny Trevathan and veteran LB Jerrell Freeman. Bears fans everywhere can rejoice now that they don’t have to watch Shea McClellin try to plan ILB anymore.

The Bears also loaded up on defensive players in the draft, including 1st round draft pick Leonard Floyd who the Bears hope will be a QB killer.  With a proven coordinator like Vic Fangio, veterans like Trevathanhon, Freeman, McPhee, and some young talent they picked up in the draft, the Bears defense should be much better in 2016.

In addition to the offseason improvements, the schedule should be a big help to the Bears.  They get to avoid the good teams like the Patriots, Panthers, Cardinals, and Seahawks.  The 2016 schedule gives the Bears some very winnable road games against the Texans, Buccaneers, and the Giants.  The Bears also get the Eagles, Jaguars, Titans, 49ers, and Redskins at home.

Plus, the Bears thankfully get to play the Lions twice.  Sure the Green Bay Packers may kick the Bears ass twice this year, but the rest of the Bears’ schedule isn’t intimidating and should help the Bears get to 11 wins this year.

Next: Bold Prediction #6