Finding solidarity in anything these days is pretty difficult. Finding it among Chicago Bears writers is almost impossible. However, for the first time maybe every the entire Bears beat seems to have found unity in what they envision for this team going into 2020. The schedule was released on Thursday and per usual optimism is a little hard to find in regards to the Bears.
No doubt this is influenced by how last season ended. An offense that had no identity. A defense that was banged up and trying to keep things afloat. That disappointing 8-8 finish after such a promising run in 2018 has people believing this is just more of the same mediocrity the organization has subjected fans to for over 30 years now.
This would explain why no fewer than seven members of the Bears beat writing group handed the team a record projection of 9-7 after looking the schedule over.
- Brad Biggs – 9-7
- Colleen Kane – 9-7
- Dan Wiederer – 9-7
- Kevin Fishbain – 9-7
- Adam Jahns – 9-7
- Jon Greenberg – 9-7
- Dan Pompei – 9-7
The only notable name to cross that picket line was Jeff Dickerson of ESPN who has them going 7-9. Suffice to say the optimism isn’t exactly overflowing around Halas Hall.
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Chicago Bears beat seems to have the same idea
The general statements from every writer are the same. Looking at the schedule, the Bears have a prime opportunity to get off to a fast start. Their first seven games will be against teams that did not make the playoffs in 2019. If the team can take advantage of that slate, they could be in good shape. However, starting in Week 8 against the Saints, it gets a lot tougher with games against the Titans, Vikings, and Packers following up.
That stretch will likely make or break the season.
The general belief is the Bears will sort of have a roller coaster ride the entire second half of the season. Two big questions arise presuming all of them are correct. Is 9-7 good enough to make the playoffs? If not, is that record good enough to convince ownership to retain GM Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy. Rest assured opinions will probably differ considerably when that conversation comes up.
