Chicago Bears: 5 optimistic predictions for the 2020 season

5. The Bears have homefield advantage throughout the playoffs.

Yup, this is the boldest prediction on this list. In fact, the Bears are a team that’s full of boom-or-bust potential. However, this particular prediction means that everything goes as planned and they boom.

Most are counting the Bears out in the NFC. It’s not hard to see why. Because of the question mark that is the quarterback position, some believe that they’re capable of winning just seven or eight games.

Factor in the instability at the quarterback position with teams like the New Orleans Saints, Arizona Cardinals, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and it’s easy to understand why many are counting the Bears out.

However, what if the Bears figure out the quarterback position and Mitchell Trubisky turns things around? What if Roquan Smith takes the next step? If the offensive line and running game find a groove, as well as the wide receivers and tight ends, that’s a formula for success.

If the road to the Super Bowl is going to run through Chicago, then the Bears need to start out with three wins, beating the Detroit Lions, New York Giants, and Atlanta Falcons. From there, it will be critical to beat the Saints, Carolina, Panthers, and Buccaneers. Both the Buccaneers and Saints could easily secure the number one seed.

Finally, they’ll need to win in the division as well, potentially splitting with Green Bay and Minnesota but ideally winning five of six divisional games. Ten, 11, or 12 wins should be enough to secure a playoff spot. However, 12 or 13 wins will guarantee homefield advantage throughout the playoffs.