What a difference a season makes. The Chicago Bears went from being a team on the rise following 12 wins and a NFC North title two years, to an afterthought after an 8-8 campaign in 2019. Oddsmakers have the Bears pegged as an average team in 2020 with their win total split right down the middle. Heck, if the Bears can get some sort of offense they could challenge for a division title. They were among the worst in the NFL last season in total yards and points per game, a big reason why they traded for former Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles.
Bears Over 8 Wins +102
Bears Under 8 Wins -123
Winning eight games with an inept offense shows the Bears aren’t that far off. Some improvement on that side of the football should allow this team to win nine games at a minimum. Exactly who’s running the offense remains to be seen. Chicago declined the fifth-year option on Mitchell Trubisky, meaning the future of the former No. 2 overall pick in the Windy City isn’t guaranteed beyond this season. Playing for a contract can be a powerful motivator. The lack of production wasn’t all the fault of Trubisky. The line was in tatters and the run game non-existent.
The numbers were down across the board for Trubisky. He completed 63.2 percent of his passes for 3,138 yards and 17 touchdowns. The Bears managed just 205.7 yards through the air and fewer than 300 total yards per game. Only three teams scored fewer points. It’s plain to see where things need to change. Bringing in Foles will either light a fire under Trubisky or give the Bears a veteran leader who is already familiar with Matt Nagy’s offense.
There is nothing wrong with the Bears defense. The numbers regressed a bit on that side last season but they still finished among the top 10 in yards allowed and fourth in points surrendered per game. And the group may have gotten stronger with the additions of Robert Quinn and Artie Burns along with a healthy Akiem Hicks and Khalil Mack. Given the turnover on defense in Minnesota the Bears likely have the best unit in the division and one of the tops in the entire league. They can steal a game every once in a while, which helps eclipse the win total.
2020 Chicago Bears Schedule
Week 1: Bears at Lions, Sunday, September 13, 1 p.m. ET
Week 2: Giants at Bears, Sunday, September 20, 1 p.m. ET
Week 3: Bears at Falcons, Sunday, September 27, 1 p.m. ET
Week 4: Colts at Bears, Sunday, October 4, 1 p.m. ET
Week 5: Buccaneers at Bears, Thursday, October 8, 8:20 p.m. ET
Week 6: Bears at Panthers, Sunday, October 18, 1 p.m. ET
Week 7: Bears at Rams, Monday, October 26, 8:15 p.m. ET
Week 8: Saints at Bears, Sunday, November 1, 4:25 p.m. ET
Week 9: Bears at Titans, Sunday, November 8, 1 p.m. ET
Week 10: Vikings at Bears, Monday, November 16, 8:15 p.m. ET
Week 11: BYE
Week 12: Bears at Packers, Sunday, November 29, 8:20 p.m. ET
Week 13: Lions at Bears, Sunday, December 6, 1 p.m. ET
Week 14: Texans at Bears, Sunday, December 13, 1 p.m. ET
Week 15: Bears at Vikings, Sunday, December 20, 1 p.m. ET
Week 16: Bears at Jaguars, Sunday, December 27, 1 p.m. ET
Week 17: Packers at Bears, Sunday, January 3, 1 p.m. ET
2020 Chicago Bears Schedule Analysis
Things change year to year in the NFL, just ask the Bears. Having a successful season is one thing, maintaining that level success is another. A quick glance at the schedule and the front part looks inviting with the first three tilts against the Lions, Giants and Falcons. A quick start is a must for the team to show it can compete for the NFC North. The division isn’t stacked meaning there are six games that can go either way. A split would be nice, but a winning record is a must to clinch the over.
Hosting the Saints and Vikings around a trip to Tennessee right before the Week 11 bye is a swing part of the schedule. That looks like the toughest stretch of games and how the Bears perform will give us an indication of whether or not they can put together a winning record. Playing Green Bay twice in six games following the bye isn’t going to be easy. However, the remainder of the slate sets up nicely and winning four of those games is a possibility.
The Final Verdict
Other than the acquisition of Foles there were no major deals. The Bears had several minor transactions that will mean a lot going forward. Germain Ifedi will bolster the offensive line and Ted Ginn Jr. provides a receiving and return game threat. Competition tends to bring out the best in players and one or both of the QBs will up their game to aid the offense. More points and possessions takes pressure off the defense. I can see the Bears sneaking up on teams.
NFL Odds: Chicago Bears Over 8 Wins
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