Should The Chicago Bears Tank?
Oct 26, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; A Chicago Bears fans sits in the stands during the third quarter against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots won 51-23. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Here is the Bears’ remaining schedule:
Week 11-Minnesota Vikings-For the Bears, this is their first game at home after the blowout losses to the New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers. Previously, this game was a lock for the Bears to win. Going forward, nothing will be a lock-win for the Bears. Needless to say, the prediction here is that the Bears will win this game.
Record After Game: 4-6
Week 12-Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Not sure how it is possible, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been worse than the Bears this season. Of course, this is Lovie Smith’s first game against the Bears since his return to the coaching ranks. Having said that, the Bears, on paper, should win this game.
Record After Game: 5-6
Week 13-Detroit Lions- At the start of the season, the Thanksgiving game against the Lions was a welcome sight. Two teams battling for the top spot in the NFC North. Unfortunately, under head coach Jim Caldwell, the Lions and quarterback Matthew Stafford have made all the improvements that the Bears and Jay Cutler haven’t under Marc Trestman. Prediction here is that the Lions take this game.
Record After Game: 5-7
Week 14-Dallas Cowboys- The Cowboys are doing everything with running back DeMarco Murray that the Bears should be doing with running back Matt Forte. The Cowboys also have a tremendous defense under the tutelage of former Bears’ defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli. Prediction here is that the Cowboys win this game.
Record After Game: 5-8
Week 15-New Orleans Saints- The Saints likely will be competing for the NFC East division title despite their poor showing through the first 10 weeks of the regular season. This game could honestly go either way and will be determined whatever quarterback, Drew Brees or Jay Cutler, commits the fewer turnovers. Cutler has committed the most turnovers of any quarterback this season, so, the edge will have to go to the Saints.
Record After Game: 5-9
Week 16-Detroit Lions– Like the Green Bay Packers, the Detroit Lions will sweep the Bears this season.
Record After Game: 5-10
Week 17-Minnesota Vikings- The Vikings and Bears will likely split this season. With the Bears winning in Week 11, the Vikings will win this game.
Season Record: 5-11
With a record of 5-11, the Bears will definitely be assured of earning a top-10 draft selection. The Bears’ draft position could be improved if teams like the New York Giants, Washington Redskins, Atlanta Falcons or St. Louis Rams finish out the season on a stronger note than the Bears. A brief skim over the schedules of those three opponents and it would seem as if the Bears have a decent chance of finishing with a better draft position than the Giants.
Meaning the Bears could very well have the ninth overall selection in the NFL Draft.