As the Chicago Bears head to Nashville this weekend to take on the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium, I thought it’d be good to revisit my preseason predictions.
We’ve learned a lot about this team, and while they sit at 5-3 and are very much alive (mathematically) in the NFC playoff race, the reality is the Bears are a team teetering on the brink.
After starting the year 5-1, thanks to some dizzying comebacks and heartstopping finishes, the Bears have dropped two straight to NFC playoff contenders. They’re also banged up and boast a completely broken offense.
So, not a lot to feel good about. But still, 5-3 is 5-3 with an opportunity to get to 6-3 this weekend. If you told me at the beginning of the season they’d be 5-3 at this point, I’d have taken it.
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In fact, I did take it. I had the Bears at 5-3 at this point in my preseason predictions — it’s just the manner of the wins and losses that have been so strange. I had them finishing at 9-7.
What do I think now? Let’s explore.
How’d They Get Here?
Reminder — the Bears are 5-3. This is how they got here:
Week 1 @ DET — W (27-23)
Week 2 vs. NYG — W (17-13)
Week 3 @ ATL — W (30-26)
Week 4 vs. IND — L (19-11)
Week 5 vs. TB — W (20-19)
Week 6 @ CAR — W (23-16)
Week 7 @ LAR — L (24-10)
Week 8 vs. NO — L (26-23)
Nick Foles replaced Mitch Trubisky in Atlanta and has been the Bears’ starter since. Matt Nagy’s offense has not been good. Even the defense has had some rough moments. What’s in store for this team now?
Revised Season Predictions
Week 9 @ TEN — L (I’ve predicted this already as a 20-16 loss.)
Week 10 vs. MIN — W
Week 11 BYE
Week 12 @ GB — L
Week 13 vs. DET — W
Week 14 vs. HOU — L
Week 15 @ MIN — W
Week 16 @ JAX — W
Week 17 vs. GB — L
Final record: 9-7
Turns out, I still have them at 9-7, but a lot of this is based on what I’m seeing from the team right now. If they can get their offense to be sufficient, there’s no reason they shouldn’t beat Houston. And they should certainly have a chance against Green Bay at home. It’ll be interesting.
Will this be enough for the Bears to squeeze into the playoffs? It’s hard to say. But at this point, the Bears can just control what’s in front of them and play the game they’re scheduled to play each week.
That starts this Sunday at Nissan Stadium.
