Chicago Bears: 5 Bold predictions for Week 1 vs. Lions
Bold predictions for the Chicago Bears as they open the 2020 season in Detroit.
The 2020 NFL season is here! The Chicago Bears are preparing for their Week 1 matchup against the Detroit Lions. It seemed like we’d never get to start the season but now the season is about to begin. No more wrangling about having or not having preseason games. Additionally, the players must be ecstatic that they finally get to hit players other than their teammates. The defense is happy to be able to hit the quarterback now.
The Bears made a number of changes to the roster to try to improve from their 8-8 record of 2019. Last season was filled with frustration. The offensive line, the tight ends, the running game, the wide receivers, and the quarterbacks all struggled to play consistently.
As a result, the offense ranked 29th in both yards and points, and the passing attack wasn’t much of an attack. The Bears ranked 25th in passing touchdowns and averaged 5.3 yards per attempt, ranking dead last in the NFL.
The tight ends unit was completely overhauled. None of the five tight ends who made the roster in 2020 were on the team when the 2019 season began. General manager Ryan Pace signed free agents Jimmy Graham and Demetrius Harris. He also spent the Bears’ first pick of the 2020 NFL draft, the 43rd overall pick, on local kid Cole Kmet. J.P. Holtz and Eric Saubert played for the Bears in 2019 but they were acquired after the season already began.
The Bears added a new starter and added depth along the offensive line. Germain Ifedi comes from the Seattle Seahawks. He’ll have some big shoes to fill replacing the retired Kyle Long. Former Green Bay Packers lineman (and Bears target in the 2016 draft) Jason Spriggs will back up Charles Leno. Seventh-round pick Arlington Hambright made an impression and made the team, helping out in rotation.
The Bears added rookie wide receiver Darnell Mooney and free agent Tedd Ginn to add much-needed speed to the wide receivers corps. Riley Ridley and Javon Wims have a chance to make more of a contribution than they did in 2019.
Hopefully, these changes on offense help support the defense, which again looks to be elite. For now, however, here are five predictions for the Chicago Bears’ Week 1 against the Lions.