Chicago Bears 2015 Season Predictions
The Bears imploded during the second half of last season to be sure. Before last season; though, the Bears offense was lauded as the second best in the league. The Bears defense had talent, and were being rearranged after a historically bad campaign (admittedly, there is a lot to say here). The 2014 Bears started 2-1.
Later, the Bears had a definitively bad game against the Patriots, the eventual Super Bowl Champions. They headed into their bye week at 3-3. After their Bye in week 7, the Bears were embarrassed at Lambeau… implosion. The Bears eventually won two more games through the rest of the season.
It is 2015. The start of a new season. The Bears have the finest coaching trio in football thanks to the aforesaid implosion. Instead of plodding along with Marc Trestman, Aaron Kromer and Mel Tucker; the Bears have John Fox, Adam Gase and Vic Fangio. Ryan Pace, the new GM, has cleared out some of the bad / old blood and installed some new talent. A new culture has been fostered by Fox.
All of the pundits, even Chicago’s own media, act as though the Chicago Bears will barely break even; vying for a top-ten draft pick instead. The preseason Power Rankings per Larry Mayer of ChicagoBears.com seed the Bears as 25th, 29th, 22nd, 25th, 27th and 25th in the league. It definitely takes time to fix what was wrong. In the meantime; though, the Chicago Bears will not be pushovers. There is talent on this team. Let’s go through their schedule, game by game.
Week 1 – 9/13 – vs. Green Bay
The Bears will lose a close one that builds confidence.
The Bears offense can move the ball against the “feared” Dom Capers’ defense. Fangio’s defense will pressure Aaron Rodgers a little. The difference in the game; though, is Eddie Lacey as Goldman and Sutton fold in the fourth quarter. The character with which they play will raise their confidence while they lose to a Super Bowl favorite, 21-14. (0-1)
Week 2 – 9/20 – vs. Arizona
Chi-town will give the home crowd what they want versus a respected defense.
People will argue against the fact that Jay Cutler is the best quarterback in Chicago Bears history. At any rate, he owns most of the franchise’s passing records. Yes, he will make some major gaffes. Gase will hold him in check, though. Cutler is in an offense that attacks in balanced volleys. He will come into form. By this point the Bears’ wide-outs start to look healthy and Bennett will be a force in the middle. Carson Palmer will be unable to deal with a rush that seemingly comes from everywhere. The Bears will back-up their week 1 statement with a win over the Cardinals, 21-13. (1-1)
Week 3 – 9/27 – at Seattle
The Seahawks will bring the Bears back down to earth.
This one will be a baller. Defense will dominate. The Bears offense won’t be able to get rolling against a defense that is that good. Neither offense will flow with rhythm. Cutler will have more picks in this one game then he had to this point since the offseason began. Wilson will run for his life, and make a little headway. The Seahawks will beat the Bears, 17-7. (1-2)
Week 4 – 10/4 – vs. Oakland
The hometown crowd will be hungry and the Bears will deliver. The defense will have set-backs, but Gase’s crew will come through.
Oakland being the perennial doormat by the bay will be in the rear-view mirror. Their neighbor across the bridge will take-over that responsibility for them. The Raiders will hunker down and play ball. Fangio’s line will stand up Oakland’s offensive front with the return of Ratliff. The Bears secondary will falter; however, as the young duo of Carr and Cooper light it up. Lamarr Houston shines in his homecoming. Cutler and the offense take another step forward to edge-out the surprising Raiders, 32-24. (2-2) The Bears will already have matched the number of home wins in all of 2014.
Week 5 – 10/11 – at Kansas City
The Bears will roll through Arrow Head. They will gain a head of steam, as they fire on all cylinders.
The first complete game Chicago will have since they hosted Arizona in Week 2. The defense will explode against Alex Smith and Jeremy Maclin. Let’s face it. San Francisco blew-it by passing on Aaron Rodgers in the draft. The Bears are still paying for it… but not today. Kansas City has welcomed Smith from the 49er’s and KC is eyeing a division title, but they falter versus a team that will be gaining confidence with every passing game. The Bears establish a winning record for the first time since 9/27/2014; winning two games in a row for the first time since 11/23/2014. The Bears will beat the Chiefs, 21-7. (3-2)
Week 6 – 10/18 – at Detroit
The Bears have not won within the confines of Ford Field since 12/30/2012. Fox will fail to change that.
The Lions will be licking their chops. The two rivals play first in Michigan. The noise of the home crowd will have Chicago confused and reeling. Calvin Johnson will light-up Kyle Fuller for three scores. Where is Peanut? The Lions will beat the Bears, 28-9. (3-3)
Week 7 – Bye
The Bears will be even at 3-3 heading into their bye week, exactly the same as in 2014.
Week 8 – vs. Minnesota
The Bears will handle the Vikings at home.
The Vikings will look to take over the division with a win, but will fail to achieve their goal. Zimmers’ strong defense will be tough to move, but the Bears’ defense will match their tenacity and ferocity. The defensive line will gain momentum for the linebackers to roam and make plays. Chicago will wear down Minnesota for another home win, 17-14. (4-3)
Week 9 – 11/9 – at San Diego
San Diego and Kansas City will battle for first while Denver falters. The Bears will be spoilers, again.
Phillip Rivers won’t find Malcolm Floyd, Antonio Gates, or Keenan Allen. He will be on his bad back most of the evening in Chicago’s only Monday night contest. Cutler will falter as well, but will rally late. The Bears’ stifling defense will cement a new identity for itself. Alshon Jeffrey will make two spectacular catches, and charge through the fourth quarter. The Chargers will lose, 17-10. (5-3)
Week 10 – 11/15 – at St. Louis
The defense of St. Louis will outshine the Bears.
St. Louis will show why they will finish in second place in the West. Foles’ efficiency versus the Bears defense will frighten loyal fans. He will find his check-down and confound the linebackers and expose the weak safety position. Cutler will be on the ground more than any game in 2015 and Forte won’t find room to run. The Bears will lose to the Rams, 21-7. (5-4)
Week 11 – 11/22 – vs. Denver
Fox will shine versus Kubiak and Elway and exact a kernel of vindication.
What was John Elway thinking? The Bears are the beneficiaries for his foolishness. Denver’s defense is all that, but Manning is not. The aches and pains of the year will grow too much for the Hall of Famer. The Bears defense will inflict as much pain on them as possible. Bennet and Royal will score their fifth touchdowns. Denver will go down, 14-3. (6-4)
Week 12 – 11/26 – at Green Bay, Thanksgiving evening
Brett Favre will return, this one gets ugly.
Aaron Rodgers will be at peak performance and Eddie Lacey will be unstoppable. Cutler will put points on the board. Green Bay will put the game out of reach with 2:00 remaining after a Cutler interception that might have pulled the Bears within a touchdown. At least it won’t embarrass as much as last year, 48-28. (6-5)
Week 13 – 12/6 – vs. San Francisco
San Francisco will return to the cellar by December. The Bears will push them down… farther.
Kaepernick will not find Anquan Boldin, Torrey Smith or Vernon Davis. The only bright spot for the 49er’s will be on defense even though their front seven is depleted. The Bears will rip the 49er’s apart. Fangio will be happy. Bennett will have two scores; while Forte will have a career night, 36-13. (7-5)
Week 14 – 12/13 – vs. Washington
The home crowd will get another gift this December.
This is one that the pundits have agreed on. Jeffrey, Forte and Royal each score two touchdowns. At this point in the year Cutler’s touchdowns triple his turnovers. Washington will suffer through the implosion that Chicago endured in 2014. The Redskins eventually realize that they don’t have a quarterback that fits the scheme they try to force. The Bears will top the Redskins, 42-10. (8-5)
Week 15 – 12/20 – at Minnesota
Minnesota will come together since their week 8 loss and serve-up some humble pie for the holidays.
This will be a different game from the first. Peterson will do what Peterson does and Bridgewater will be outstanding. The Bears defense will be on their heels in U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings pick Cutler and the Bears will lose, 36-20. (8-6)
Week 16 – 12/27 – at Tampa Bay
Lovie’s crew can’t match the Bears new scheme, even though he knows how to stymie Cutler.
This will be a defensive game from the start. There won’t be much offense from either team. Both defenses give the scoreboard a boost. The Bears will win, 17-7. (9-6)
Week 17 – 1/7 – vs. Detroit
The Bears will win one in January without even making the playoffs.
The Bears will be home this time to face the Lions. The Bears have only lost one game at home this season. Cutler will lock himself in as the Bears’ quarterback for another year. The defense shows some swagger and the Bears end the year by spoiling the Lions’ shot at a Wild Card berth, 21-7. (10-6)
So, is this possible? Yes. Will the Bears beat the elite competition on their 2015 schedule? No. Are there any elite teams on the Bears’ schedule? Yes, three games; they play Green Bay twice and Seattle once.
Is Kansas City elite? No. Is Detroit, what about Minnesota or San Diego? No, no and no.
Ok, there is Denver. They are elite, right? No. They are going to crumble. Denver is installing a new head coach whom is .488; that is nowhere near the caliber of John Fox (.570). This change brings a new offense to an aging quarterback and his supporting cast. Besides, this preseason, Manning’s arm looked weak and inaccurate.
So, what is standing in the way of the Bears going 10-6? Answer – Nothing… except themselves.
If this does play-out, the Bears will return to the form of Lovie Smith’s last season in Chicago. The Bears will go 10-6 and miss the post-season, again. With Ryan Pace at the helm; however, the Chicago Bears will be able to build from a decent season with a great cast of coaches.
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