Chicago Bears: 2018 Season preview, prediction and more

Record prediction

Okay, so I was taught long ago to break a season up into four quarters, just like a game. The first quarter you try to get off to a good start. The second you try to maintain. You make your move in the third and finally, in the fourth you finish off strong.

So let’s take a look at this by quarters:

First quarter: At Green Bay; vs. Seattle; at Arizona; vs. Tampa Bay

The Bears want to send a message to the league and they get a chance to do exactly that. They open up the season on Sunday Night Football on the road against the hated Packers. Then in Week 2, they play on Monday Night Football at home. They want to show the world this is a different team they get to do it.

The Bears will play the Packers tough, but ultimately they fall. Still a little early to have the offense humming just yet. It’ll be close, though, and Rodgers will get roughed up a bit. Packers win by three.

The Bears get hyped in their home opener. The offense takes advantage of the absence of the Legion of Boom. The defense takes advantage of the Seahawks lack of running game and goes after Russell Wilson. Bears by nine. 1-1 record. Against the Cards, the Bears take advantage of Sam Bradford‘s lack of movement. Bears win again and have a record of 2-1.

The Bears go for a measure of revenge against the Bucs. Last season, they completely thumped the Bears. With the Bucs in a bit of a turmoil, the Bears get their blowout win and run their record to 3-1.

Second quarter: at Miami; vs. New England; vs. New York Jets; at Buffalo

The Bears have an early bye week this year. After the bye, they travel down to Miami. They don’t enjoy Miami Beach but they take care of the Dolphins. Record now stands at 4-1. People start to take notice. The next week they take on the AFC champs Patriots. The Bears still aren’t ready for the Pats and they go down. Their record is now 4-2.

The Bears punish the Jets and their young quarterback, Sam Darnold. Their record is 5-2. The next week there is no way they let Nathan Peterman beat them. The defense mauls him and we may see Josh Allen. They run their record to 6-2.

Third quarter: vs. Detroit Lions; at Minnesota; at Detroit Lions; at New York Giants

The Bears finally get to play their other division rivals. They beat the Lions and lose against the Vikings. They drop a close game against the Lions in Detroit. They make up for it by going into New York and blow past the Giants. Now their record stands at 8-4, and they end their five-year streak of having a losing record.

Fourth quarter: vs. Los Angeles Rams; vs. Green Bay; at San Francisco; at Minnesota

Aaron Donald and the Rams come to town. The Bears are emulating what they did last year, but that means they’re a year ahead. They take care of the Bears. They now have a record of 8-5. The next week they break the Packers trance. They haven’t had many wins against the Packers over Rodgers’ career, but this is one of them. Their record goes to 9-5.

After their win against the Packers, the Bears go on a two-game road trip. They take care of the 49ers but lose again to the Vikings. The Bears finish the season with a record of 10-6, good enough for second in the NFC North and a Wild Card berth.

Yes, in December you can all remind me of these predictions and tell me how right I was or how gloriously wrong I was. I like the record of 10-6 but remember, the last time they were 10-6 they failed to make the playoffs. Let’s hope this is different.