Predict Bears Record This Season - 2022 Edition

I think Ev did this last year, but it was fun to go back at the end of the year and see how we did.

Week 1 - 49ers
Week 2 - @ GB
Week 3 - Texans
Week 4 - @ Giants
Week 5 - @ Vikings
Week 6 - Redskins
Week 7 - @ Patriots
Week 8 - @ Cowboys
Week 9 - Dolphins
Week 10 - Lions
Week 11 - @ Falcons
Week 12 - @ Jets
Week 13 - Packers
Week 14 - *** Bye
Week 15 - Eagles
Week 16 - Bills
Week 17 - @ Lions
Week 18 - Vikings

Some interesting notes:
2nd week is a goddamn night game against the hated in their house. Yeah, that's going to go well. One of only three night games, the others being Washington on Thursday and NE on Monday, so none of these will be flexed out. Be prepared for the massive Mac Jones vs. Fields comparisons for the NE game.

I'll reply with my thoughts.

 

Week 1 - 49ers - L
Week 2 - @ GB - L
Week 3 - Texans - W
Week 4 - @ Giants - W
Week 5 - @ Vikings - L
Week 6 - Redskins - L
Week 7 - @ Patriots - L
Week 8 - @ Cowboys - L
Week 9 - Dolphins - W
Week 10 - Lions - W
Week 11 - @ Falcons - W
Week 12 - @ Jets - W
Week 13 - Packers - L
Week 14 - *** Bye
Week 15 - Eagles - L
Week 16 - Bills - L
Week 17 - @ Lions - L
Week 18 - Vikings - W

Based on that, I have 7-10 again. I agree the schedule is easier than last year, but a whole new system and a lack of talent, it's going to be tough to consistently win. The 49ers, Redskins, Patriots, Cowboys, Eagles are all possible wins, so maybe 1-2 of those they win, but then you can take an extra loss somewhere else, like the Dolphins, Falcons, Jets, Texans, etc.

I have them picking top 10 but there is a lot of uncertainty in the rebuild year. The real goal of the season is to see what pieces they can keep on the offensive line, how fields develops, and what pieces fit on defense, I think.

 

I also don't believe the Bears go winless, the defense and coaching, at this very early stage, keep them out of that potential pitfall IMO.

 

Week 1 - 49ers - L
Week 2 - @ GB - L
Week 3 - Texans - W
Week 4 - @ Giants - W
Week 5 - @ Vikings - L
Week 6 - Redskins - L
Week 7 - @ Patriots - L
Week 8 - @ Cowboys - L
Week 9 - Dolphins - L
Week 10 - Lions - W
Week 11 - @ Falcons - W
Week 12 - @ Jets - W
Week 13 - Packers - L
Week 14 - *** Bye - L ⟱
Week 15 - Eagles - L
Week 16 - Bills - L
Week 17 - @ Lions - L
Week 18 - Vikings - L
The Bears will have one win within the division @ home against the Loins.
I included an "L" for the bye week because in typical Bears fashion they come out of the bye on life support in a coma and will finish the season as such.
Last season I said the Bears would get 10 wins over the course of two seasons I said 5 wins in each, but last year they overachieved and got 6.
I have them here with 5, but if they lose another one and to make last season's prediction complete that loss will likely come against the Jets.
5-12

 

Week 1 - 49ers - L
Week 2 - @ GB - L
Week 3 - Texans - W
Week 4 - @ Giants - W
Week 5 - @ Vikings - L
Week 6 - Redskins - W
Week 7 - @ Patriots - L
Week 8 - @ Cowboys - L
Week 9 - Dolphins - L
Week 10 - Lions - W
Week 11 - @ Falcons - L
Week 12 - @ Jets - L
Week 13 - Packers - L
Week 14 - *** Bye
Week 15 - Eagles - L
Week 16 - Bills - L
Week 17 - @ Lions - L
Week 18 - Vikings - W

I think somewhere between 4-6 wins, I'll go with 5 wins as my official prediction. Most of the winnable games are in the first half of the season hopefully, we can build some momentum for the second half that way.

But what about Fields? Does he make it healthy through the season? What are his final numbers?

Ideally, he finishes with more than 20 passing TDs, less than 10 INTs and very few fumbles. And we consistently see from him the things we saw on Saturday, going through progressions, throws that lead the receiver to the ball, pocket awareness, the ability to throw on the run.

 

Week 1 - 49ers W
I think the 49ers will be very disappointing this year and an upset to start the season will show the Bears are better than we thought and the 49ers are worse than we thought.
Week 2 - @ GB L
It’s Green Bay on the road in prime time. Not getting embarrassed is a win.
Week 3 - Texans W
If we come into this game 0-2 and lose it’s a wrap and we very well could be looking at the first pick in the draft. I am thinking Fields starts the season 2-0 against second year QB’s.
Week 4 - @ Giants W
I live in NY and there is zero excitement about this team. Hoping to be at the game and see Fields for the first time in person. Bears win a close one.
Week 5 - @ Vikings L
Vikings in the Done will be a tall order. Bears fall to 0-2 in the division
Week 6 - Redskins W
Nothing scares me about the Commander’s. A game we should win at home if Fields is having the type of year we all hope and Flus’s D isn’t shit.
Week 7 - @ Patriots L
After a 4-2 start things get rough and we go down swinging in Foxborough.
Week 8 - @ Cowboys L
Bears lose a shootout as back to back road games takes its toll more on the defense than the offense. Bears back to .500 after a promising 3-1 start.
Week 9 - Dolphins L
Dolphins are a pretty dysfunctional team. So it wouldn’t surprise me if they were bad this year but they have some good talent and if Tua is good lookout. I’ll give it to them in a toss up because the Bears shouldn’t be the better team. BUT if things fall right and the Bears are the better team this year and they do pull out the win it could set up a nice winning streak heading into a bye that could have us on the edge of playoff contention.
Week 10 - Lions W
They are the Loins. If we can’t beat them at home I will have serious doubts about the new regime.
Week 11 - @ Falcons W
Who knows who there QB will be by this game. Falcons are rebuilding like us but hopefully we have our QB and he shows it in this game.
Week 12 - @ Jets W
Zach Wilson will not be a good QB, Saleh is not a good HC and Fields will go 3-1 against 2nd year QB’s. I will have bragging rights against many as the Bears go 2-0 against NY this season.
Week 13 - Packers L
Bears come into this game 7-5 thanks to a good coaching staff that gets the most out of its players, an easy schedule and a 2nd year QB coming into his own. But the bye is needed and well the Packers still own our ass. I will not even entertain the thought of this being the game that starts these two teams in new directions but a man can dream. Packers win and we head into the bye wounded but alive for a playoff spot with 4 games to go. 3 of them against teams with winning records.
Week 14 - *** Bye
Week 15 - Eagles W
Hurts isn’t the QB many thought he could be. Fields outplays him and we win in OT. Flus goes 1-0 coming off a bye
Week 16 - Bills L
A bad loss brings us back to reality. We might not suck be we are not in the same league as the Bills. Not yet.
Week 17 - @ Lions W
Lions are playing for a high draft pick so they can replace the dumb blond at QB. Bears are bouncing back from there worst loss of the season. Bears win and at 9-7 will play the VIkings in a win and in scenario.
Week 18 - Vikings L
Bears defense just isn’t good enough as the Vikings win on a last possession scoring drive to win the game. We miss the playoffs but the future is bright as we finish the season with a winning record when many, who now don’t remember, picked us to be the worst.


9-8

Based off of Fields being the player he was drafted to be and the coaching staff being who they were chosen to be and the schedule being as easy as it looks before real games are played.

I could easily see some shit going south and every game is a struggle. Bears win 3-5 games and we go into next season just as blind as this one.

I could also see things going better than they maybe they should and this team making the playoffs. Free agents want to come here because we are on the verge and have a shit ton of money.

Who knows. It was fun to play. Thanks for the thread vvarder!

 

Btw Vvarder, isn't it time for a Poles "might suck" avatar? Or at least getting rid of Pace's mug for good?

 

Week 1 - 49ers W
Week 2 - @ GB W
Week 3 - Texans W
Week 4 - @ Giants W
Week 5 - @ Vikings L
Week 6 - Redskins W
Week 7 - @ Patriots L
Week 8 - @ Cowboys L
Week 9 - Dolphins L
Week 10 - Lions W
Week 11 - @ Falcons L
Week 12 - @ Jets W
Week 13 - Packers L
Week 14 - *** Bye
Week 15 - Eagles L
Week 16 - Bills L
Week 17 - @ Lions W
Week 18 - Vikings W

I'm either going to be a laughingstock or a hero. 9-8

 

I sure hope you cleared that extra game through the (players union) NFLPA.

 

Extra game?
Whatchoo talkin' bout tuna?

 

It's a 17 game season, you have them at 9-9 or 18 game season...

 

I agree, if that avatar is still up at kickoff of the first Bears game, my suspicions of you being a closet Pace lover will be confirmed.

 

Oh hell.
Thanks Irish. I miscounted.

 

If Flus finds a way to win, IN GB, in his first game against them? I will be a fan.

Ok you bastards, I was going to put up a solid George Sucks since I'm quite sold on that, or maybe a Ted sucks, but I don't really want to see their face every time I log in, and maybe this time, for the first time, I can stick "don't" where the might is.

 

Let's see how this acquisition of Alex Leatherwood goes, we just did the Raiders a solid by picking him up, and are on the hook for 5.9 million for 3 years.
Nicely done V2 on the new avatar.

 

All depends on scheme... This could be a huge get for you guys. My guess is, this is Josh McDaniels ego pushing talent off the roster after evaluating him and determining he doesn't fit his scheme. It always makes me second guess new regimes that come in and immediately start by removing talent from the roster. Yeah, they aren't your guys, but how long does it take to build a roster from scratch.

Personally, I think the Raiders just did YOU a solid.

 

Leatherwood is a good pick up. They don't have to rush him into the lineup. They basically have a guy with 1st round talent they can ease in and develop. Could be Whitehair's replacement next season.

Week 1 - 49ers W
Week 2 - @ GB L
Week 3 - Texans W
Week 4 - @ Giants W
Week 5 - @ Vikings L
Week 6 - Redskins W
Week 7 - @ Patriots L
Week 8 - @ Cowboys L
Week 9 - Dolphins W
Week 10 - Lions W
Week 11 - @ Falcons W
Week 12 - @ Jets W
Week 13 - Packers L
Week 14 - *** Bye
Week 15 - Eagles L
Week 16 - Bills L
Week 17 - @ Lions W
Week 18 - Vikings W

10-7

 

Week 1 - 49ers - L*
Week 2 - @ GB - L
Week 3 - Texans - W
Week 4 - @ Giants - W
Week 5 - @ Vikings - L
Week 6 - Redskins - W
Week 7 - @ Patriots - L
Week 8 - @ Cowboys - L
Week 9 - Dolphins - L
Week 10 - Lions - W
Week 11 - @ Falcons - W
Week 12 - @ Jets - W
Week 13 - Packers - L
Week 14 - *** Bye
Week 15 - Eagles - L
Week 16 - Bills - L
Week 17 - @ Lions - L
Week 18 - Vikings - W

7-10

Nostradamus84 calling only 5 wins is disconcerting. There's a lot of bad teams on this schedule, I got to 7 wins without even sweeping the Loins or the Vikes. I did put the 9ers game down as a loss but it would not surprise me at all for the team come out fast and get a win there. That would theoretically mean them finishing 8-9 which would be a very encouraging season to build on going forward, especially with all the cap space they should have in '23.


As for Leatherwood, he was clearly overdrafted. Many said it at the time and it looked very true last season where he was terrible. But even he if was really a 2nd round talent is that someone you give up on after 1 season? Getting out the limelight every week and into a backup role where he can work on his game is probably exactly what he needs. No idea if he can turn it around.

The money, well $2mil a year isnt terrible when you think the league min is what $850k? Leatherwood prob could've gone right thru waivers and the contract terminate, but at that point there would've been some kind of bidding surely, Poles** prob felt for all the money at stake why not just lock it down and claim him. I don't consider it the worst OL decision he's made this offseason thats for sure.

**I actually wrote Pace first by mistake. Yikes heh

 

It's one thing if he makes progress while developing it's quite another if he's plateaued and hit his ceiling. If they intend on leaving him inside that's cool, but he is and likely won't ever be a successful tackle.

 

One thing to note is that every Bears HC has beaten the Packers at least once in their first season as coach going all the way back to Wanny. Yes, even Wanny, Juicebox and the idiot himself all accomplished that.