NFL win totals: Bears primed for a bounce-back year
Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky passes downfield. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire)
March 26th, 2020
NFL regular-season win totals are now available at BetAmerica. A number of players switched teams during the recent free-agency period, and I’m excited to make a couple early plays in both conferences before the NFL Draft kicks off April 23.
Let’s start in the NFC, with the Chicago Bears, who I like to go over eight wins (-110).
General manager Ryan Pace did an outstanding job to build the roster in 2018, when the Bears finished with a 12-4 record, but there was a hangover effect in 2019, after kicking woes cost them in the postseason.
Beloved defensive coordinator Vic Fangio also departed, and tight end Trey Burton was either banged up or ineffective all season. Chicago seemed ill-prepared for the first half of the 2019 season and opened with a 3-5 record.
The Bears played better in the second half and wound up 8-8 overall, with a 4-2 record against NFC North rivals, but never really got on track.
Don’t sell this team’s overall talent level short. And I love the moves Pace has made to address areas of concerns during free agency.
Graham should flourish in Chicago
Chicago signed tight end Jimmy Graham (four consecutive seasons with 85 catches or more catches from 2011-2014), who should appreciate being out of Green Bay.
The Packers lacked quality receivers outside of Davonte Adams, who dealt with injuries the past two seasons, and Chicago has better talent on the outside, with Allen Robinson, Anthony Miller, and Cordarrelle Patterson. Graham should have a good year.
The Chicago #Bears have signed Jimmy Graham a 2-year, $16M deal with $9M guaranteed. His contract included a no-trade clause#DaBears #NFL #NFLDraft #NFLFreeAgency #Sports #NFLTwitterpic.twitter.com/E32zCs3i1G
— Gabriel Schray (@schrayguy) March 23, 2020
Quinn was a huge pickup
The Bears rely upon strong defense, but they didn’t apply as much pressure as desired upon opposing quarterbacks last season. The addition of outside linebacker Robert Quinn, who was the Dallas Cowboys’ best pass rusher last season, could prove to be a brilliant move.
Chicago quarterback Mitchell Trubisky has struggled at times, and the Bears brought in Nick Foles as an insurance policy. They lost Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, but the Bears added Jordan Lucas from Kansas City and re-signed safety Deon Bush.
The #Bears signed Robert Quinn to a deal today to replace Leonard Floyd. The idea is that Quinn's pass rush ability will provide a boost opposite of Khalil Mack that Floyd was never able to do. The rare combination of flexibility and speed are why he has 80 career sacks. Thread: pic.twitter.com/8GoYrbfRQL
— Brandon Robinson (@BRobNFL) March 18, 2020
Second-year running back David Montgomery is likely to take a big step forward, and Chicago will look to upgrade the offensive line during the Draft.
I thought 8-8 was realistically the worst record Chicago could have had last season, given the mediocrity of the NFC North. The Bears will have plenty of winnable games in the division once again this fall.
Green Bay is bound to regress
Green Bay overachieved with a low-rated defense and low-scoring offense, and I am confident the Packers will regress, after they won 12 games last year (the Packers play road games at Indianapolis, New Orleans, San Francisco, and Tampa Bay).
I expect Minnesota, which was a wildcard team and traded away Stephon Diggs, to miss the playoffs in Kirk Cousins' final season at the helm. Detroit could prove to be a dumpster fire. Chicago has a legitimate chance to bounce back with a divisional title.
The schedule is favorable, and the Chicago Bears will go over eight wins this season.
NFL free pick: Bears Over eight wins
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