Not much is expected of the Chicago Bears after winning just three games last season, which was the fewest for the proud organization since the NFL went to a 16-game schedule in 1978. The team had some massive changes this offseason, mainly at quarterback where Jay Cutler is no longer calling the shots. Da Bears spent a lot of money on the two players battling to take his spot and the winner will have work to do after Chicago ranked near the bottom in points per game. But the Bears were hit hard with injuries in 2016 and better luck on that front could produce a surprise team in the NFC.
NFC Opening Odds at BookMaker.eu
Seattle Seahawks +444
Green Bay Packers +460
Atlanta Falcons +472
Dallas Cowboys +655
New York Giants +840
Carolina Panthers +1350
Tampa Bay Buccaneers +1650
Philadelphia Eagles +1700
Minnesota Vikings +1800
Arizona Cardinals +1853
New Orleans Saints +2405
Detroit Lions +2900
Washington Redskins +3000
Chicago Bears +7500
Los Angeles Rams +8000
San Francisco 49ers +8500
Key Players for Winning the NFC
Mike Glennon – There’s not a lot on his resume so it’s difficult to imagine him leading the Bears to a winning record let alone the NFC title. Glennon started 13 games as a rookie with Tampa Bay in 2013 and put up solid numbers on a bad Bucs team. He’s played in just eight games with five starts since and hasn’t been close to being a No. 1, but the Bears are banking on him being an upgrade at the position. And to be competitive the Bears need to be more productive on offense. They were able to move the football, ranking 15th in yards per game. However that didn’t translate into points. The Bears tied for 28th in scoring with only 17.4 points per game. Glennon needs to produce points and he needs to stay on the field. If top pick Mitchell Trubisky does see action, that won’t be a good sign for Chicago’s offense.
Prince Amukamura – The Bears defense, and particularly the secondary, torpedoed several games and was a major reason why the club plummeted from six wins in 2015 to just three last season. Of course injuries didn’t help, but that’s another story. The secondary got a makeover and Amukamara was brought in to be the top cover corner. Prince hasn’t been flashy in his six-year career, but he’s been a steady performer in the back end, and he’s been in demand. After four years with the Giants, Amukamara signed with Jacksonville last season before joining the Bears. He failed to record an interception with the Jags, going without one in a season for the first time in his career. But he’s seen throws his way decline with his above average cover skills. The Bears recorded just eight interceptions last season, tied for the second fewest in the NFL.
Kevin White – The Bears are still waiting to see what their top pick in the 2015 draft can do. White was taken seventh overall that year but missed his rookie season due to injury. He started four games last season and had 19 receptions for 187 yards before a broken leg ended his year. The term ‘bust’ has been tossed around but White has a chance to remove that label with a breakout season. He has the tools, you don’t get drafted seventh overall without them, but has yet to showcase them. He’s also been a part of the Bears MASH unit over the past two seasons which has hampered any growth the team might sustain. White gets a fresh start with a new quarterback in 2017 and he needs to make the most of it. With Alshon Jeffery gone, the team needs a No. 1 target and White should be that guy.
John Fox – He won’t score a touchdown or make a game-saving interception, but Fox is coaching for a job as he enters his third season with the team. During his career Fox showed he can turn organizations around and had success during the second season of his stops in Carolina and Denver. Back in 2003, the Panthers went 11-5 following a 7-9 campaign and reached the Super Bowl. Fox guided the Broncos to a 13-3 record in 2012, winning the AFC West. His first season in the Windy City resulted in six wins, but the team sunk to new depths in 2016, posting the worst record in franchise history for a 16-game schedule. The team was besieged more than any other with injuries last season and that played a part in the collapse. So, maybe the second-year success got pushed back a year, at least that’s what the Bears are hoping.
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