2015 NFL Football – Bears Analysis
The Marc Trestman experiment in Chicago is over but the Jay Cutler experience is still going. John Fox is in as the new coach and if nothing else he has an established NFL track record.
Bears Odds
Bears Odds to Win the 2016 Super Bowl: +5000
Bears Odds to Win the 2015-16 NFC North: +1200
Bears Odds to Win the 2015-16 NFC Conference: 28/1
Bears Over/Under 2015 Win Total: 7
***2015 BONUSES***
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Look for things to be a little more conservative on offense and a lot of new faces on defense. Cutler is the key though. If he is steadier than this reformed group might have a chance.
This does not look like a great schedule for the Bears. Drawing the NFC West is challenging and the AFC West is no picnic either. I would say the only gimme all season long is their hosting of Oakland.
Now I am not predicting this team to go 2-14 but anywhere from 6-10 to 9-7 seems possible.
Week 1: Sunday September 13 vs Green Bay Packers 1:00PM
It would be a huge statement to beat the Packers in Week 1 but that does not seem very likely. The Bears will still be adjusting to new leadership and quite frankly are not in the same league and Green Bay right now. Hopefully they show enough fight so that it will look like they are not planning to be a doormat this season. Likely record: 0-1
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Week 2: Sunday September 20 vs. Arizona Cardinals 1:00PM
This is going to be another tough one for the Bears. Arizona has a strong defense and when healthy they can be formidable on offense too. A second loss at home will cripple their season but I think that is what we are going to see. It might be a heartbreaker on a FG late too. Can a season really turn on the second game? In the NFL, yes. Likely record: 0-2
Week 3: Sunday September 27 @ Seattle Seahawks 4:25PM
If you have dropped your first two games at home the last thing you need is a trip to Seattle. Not only are the Seahawks better in pretty much every way but they are also a terrible matchup for the Bears. On the road I don’t give them much of a chance though I acknowledge that sometimes strange things do happen. Likely record: 0-3
Week 4: Sunday October 4 vs. Oakland Raiders 1:00PM
The Bears get their first victory as the first quarter of the season comes to a close. The Raiders may be improved but the Bears should win this one with some ease getting the media off their back for a short while. This is a game they absolutely have to have or they risk hitting their bye week down the road winless. Likely record: 1-3
Week 5: Sunday October 11 @ Kansas City Chiefs 1:00PM
I don’t see the Chiefs as Super Bowl contenders but Arrowhead Stadium is a difficult place to play and I like where they are going under Andy Reid. Expect a close game here but with the Bears getting the losing end of the stick. You have to wonder if maybe they go with a switch at QB just to shake things up. Likely record: 1-4
Week 6: Sunday October 18 @ Detroit Lions 1:00PM
Wow, this schedule is not very forgiving is it. Detroit can be a Jekyll & Hyde team but you still have to like their chances of getting a win at home against Detroit. Also, with the bye coming it stands to reason that the Bears could be looking ahead. Especially if they are looking to use that gap to make some changes.Likely record: 1-5
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Week 7: Bye Week
Week 8: Sunday November 1 vs . Minnesota Vikings 1:00PM
For respectability sake the Bears have to take down the Vikings here. Home division games are meaningful and these teams seem about even right now. The Vikings may have the higher ceiling but is nothing else pride has to prevail. If not they might not win a division game this season. Likely record: 2-5
Week 9: Monday November 9 @ San Diego Chargers 8:30PM
This is the first of two prime time games for the Bears this season. I am really not sure how or why this matchup is on Monday Night Football but it does not look like a good spot for the Bears to build a winning streak. The Chargers are not going to be great this season but they should be more consistent than Chicago. Likely record: 2-6
Week 10: Sunday November 15 @ St. Louis Rams 1:00PM
The Rams look like they are on the rise and might finally start converting potential into victories this season. At home, with their defense they are very tough to beat and I don’t see a Cutler led team being up to it. Maybe this won’t be a Cutler led team by this point of the season. Either way it is a loss. Likely record: 2-7
Week 11: Sunday November 22 vs Denver Broncos 1:00PM
You have to think John Fox will want to take it to his former team so expect a pretty emotional game from the Bears. However, the likelihood is that they will be outgunned in this battle. It should be fun to watch but again I think the Bears will come up short. As we go game by game this is looking worse and worse for Bears fans. Likely record: 2-8
Week 12: Thursday November 26 @ Green Bay Packers 8:30PM
The schedule makers cruelest trick might be having this game on a short week after playing Denver. Under all circumstances this was going to be a tough one to try and put into the win column but I would give the Bears zero chance under these. This will be the game that clinched a losing season for them. Likely record: 2-9
Week 13: Sunday December 6 vs. San Francisco 49ers1:00PM
I am not expecting a particularly strong season from the 49ers. They are going through a transition period too and by then maybe three more players will have retired. They could easily be in a similar spot to the Bears who will get off the mat to claim another victory. They might even be a home dog. Likely record: 3-9
Week 14: Sunday December 13 vs. Washington Redskins 1:00PM
I am not expecting much out of Washington this season. They have their own quarterback issues and it is not like the rest of the team is so fantastic around them. It won’t be a huge accomplishment but the Bears will get to experience a winning streak as a result. An NFL season can feel pretty long but this week won’t hurt. Likely record: 4-9
Week 15: Sunday December 20 @ Minnesota Vikings 1:00PM
Chicago looks to get its first road victory of the season in this one. I am really not sure which of these two is the better team but after beating the Vikings once I think they can do it again on the road. The close to this year is going to be mostly about moral victories and building to year two of the Fox era. Likely record: 5-9
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Week 16: Sunday December 27 @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1:00PM
The Bears will be looking to finish strong but I think this Tampa team will develop over the course of the season and could have a lot to play for down the stretch. The Bears will have nothing to lose at this point and that makes them dangerous but the legend of Famous Jameis may be too much. Likely record: 5-10
Week 17: Sunday January 3 vs. Detroit Lions 1:00PM
Similar to the above I am anticipating the Lions needing this game and defending their den so to speak. This should be another fun one with lots of underdog value on the Bears who can let it all hang out there. A win would be a great way to end the season but I think they fall short yet again. Likely record: 5-11
So there you have it.
I don’t think the Bears are going to be the worst team in the league but their schedule looks really challenging. John Fox will toughen them up some but I don’t think the improvement will show all that much in terms of ones and losses. Once this team is out of it though look for things to open up, especially on offense.
There is some talent there that Fox will have no choice but to let loose a little bit, even if it is only for the fans. Look for some dog covers and overs late with this group. Just because they are out of the race don’t forget about them.
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