Way too early Chicago Bears 2022 season predictions
By Todd Welter
Week 1 vs San Francisco 49ers: Loss
The 49ers came to Soldier Field last year and won 33-22. Fields did have a solid game as he completed 19-27 passes for 175 yards and threw a touchdown pass. He also ran for 103 yards and a score.
Jim Garoppolo lit up the Bears’ defense for 322 yards. Elijah Mitchell gashed up the Bears’ run defense for 137 yards rushing. Deebo Samuel torched the Bears’ secondary 171 yards.
The 49ers might not have Garoppolo at quarterback if he is traded before the season or if Trey Lance is anointed the starter. Samuel is still not happy with his contract situation.
If Lance is the starter, this game will feature two quarterbacks taken in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Trey Lance vs Justin Fields to open up the season will surely cultivate a ton of rational, non-knee jerk reactions, right? #Bears
— Aaron Leming (@AaronLemingNFL) May 12, 2022
The 49ers bring back a bulk of the team that went to the NFC Championship Game. Unless Fields plays even better than he did last season against the 49ers and the Bears’ defense does not get gashed like they did last year, the 49ers should win this game.
Week 2 at Green Bay Packers: Loss
Lovie Smith, Marc Trestman, and John Fox all won at Lambeau Field in the first year as head coach.
The problem for Eberflus is he got the same first time at Lambeau Field draw as Matt Nagy.
The Bears will be on Sunday Night Football at Lambeau Field against Aaron Rodgers. Aaron Rodgers not only owns the Chicago Bears but he has ripped the Bears’ heart out on Sunday Night Football.
Last season the Bears were up 27-21 at the half. Rodgers then went off and the Packers won 45-30. There was the comeback win Rodgers led the Packers to on a bad knee in 2018–Nagy’s first game as Bears head coach. He thrashed the Bears 55-14 in 2014.
Finally, in 2009, Rodgers completed his first NFL career come-from-behind victory on Sunday Night Football against the Bears.
Rodgers will continue to own the Chicago Bears even without Davante Adams. The Bears will start the season 0-2.
Week 3 vs Houston Texans: Win
Lovie Smith returns to Soldier Field. The former Bears and now current Texans head coach brings his team to Chicago without Deshaun Watson who was traded away to Cleveland in the offseason.
The Texans are probably in worse shape when it comes to talent than the Chicago Bears. Although, quarterback Davis Mills had a better finish to his rookie campaign than Fields did.
Still, this is the game the Bears give Eberflus his first victory as an NFL head coach.
Week 4 at New York Giants: Win
The New York Giants are going to see if Daniel Jones can still be a franchise quarterback. They have a new head coach in Brian Daboll–a coach some Bears fans hoped Chicago would have hired in the offseason. So he might be able to get something out of Daniel Jones.
The Giants had a good draft but their roster is also in bad shape much like the Bears. The Bears go to New York and get to .500 on the season with a win.
Week 5 at Minnesota Vikings: Loss
This game on paper looks like a coin flip. The Vikings have a little bit more talent than the Bears. Their offseason did not do a lot to improve on an 8-9 roster.
If it was not for some undisciplined football last year, the Bears might have won both contests.
The Bears’ young secondary will be tested by Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen. Quarterback Kirk Cousins is always the X-factor in these games. If he is throwing interceptions, the Bears have a great shot at winning.
Since this game can go either way, it is best to side with the home team in this one. The Vikings hand the Bears their third loss of the season.
Week 6 vs. Washington Commanders: Win
Former Bears player and defensive coordinator Ron Rivera returns to Chicago as the Commanders head coach.
The Chicago Bears’ offensive line will be tested by Chase Young in front of a live national television audience. Washington’s offense features Terry McLaurin and highly touted rookie receiver Jahan Dotson.
The problem for the Commanders is Carson Wentz is their quarterback. Washington still has hopes Wentz can save his career and return to the MVP form he showed during his early days in Philadelphia.
Wentz had a nice start to last season with the Indianapolis Colts before faltering down the stretch. It comes down to which Wentz shows up. Since it is a toss-up, it is best to go with the home team and the Bears get back to .500.