2007 Chicago Bears Predictions & Season Preview


June 5, 2008 | Posted By Larry Cook

Last year we were very high on Chicago, but our 2007 Bears predictions show a little more doubt from us. Last year the team was bringing everyone back from a squad that went 11-5 and made the playoffs. This year the Bears are coming off a loss in the Super Bowl, which hasn’t boded well for team in recent memory. Not only that but their leading rusher from the last two years, Thomas Jones, was traded to the Jets. Tank Johnson is battling off-the-field issues and will miss the first eight games. Lance Briggs is holding out and in all likelihood won’t be suiting up in a Bears uniform this season. Two studs on defense, Tommie Harris and Mike Brown, will be trying to return from injuries that ended their 2006 season prematurely. All this adds up to a little bit of work for Chicago to return to the tops of the NFC. The good news is that they are still head and shoulders above the rest of the NFC North.

The quarterback position is pretty deep. Rex Grossman has talent, but he frequently looked lost last season. After a run through the playoffs the team is hoping Grossman takes another step forward this year. If Grossman under-performs then Chicago will be a little quicker to turn to Brian Griese this year, who is a former Pro-Bowler and more than capable. The third-stringer is Kyle Orton, who won ten games as a rookie even though he looked terrible doing it. Last season for him sitting on the bench should have helped him progress out of the limelight. At running back they lost Thomas Jones, but still have their no. 4 pick from 2005 in Cedric Benson. It’s time for him to step up and show he was worth that high of a choice. The team also has the talented rookie Garrett Wolfe who was pretty dominate at Northern Illinois and Adrian Peterson to back him up. At wideout the team is a little thin. Muhsin Muhammad is tough and physical, but he’s getting up there in years. Bernard Berriman is fast, but small and we have doubts he can be a go-to threat. Tight End is pretty strong with Desmond Clark and rookie Greg Olsen.

The defensive line isn’t going to be as good without Tank and Harris needs to make a full recovery. Pass rushing is a problem for the starters Adewale Ogunleye and Alex Brown, but rookie standout Mark Anderson had 12 of his own last year. If Briggs decides to play this season, the linebacking corps will be great with him and Brian Urlacher. If Briggs walks then the Bears lack of depth will be even more of a problem. The Bears secondary is going to be pretty tough with Adam Archuleta and Mike Brown providing the team with a physical, bruising pair of safeties. At corner the team is three deep with Charles Tilman and Nathan Vasher starting and Ricky Manning coming in for nickel situations. All-in-all this defense is going to be one of the best in the business again this season.

This is our pick to win the NFC North, but the team has some issues in the off-season and a lot of turnover in the coaching staff. I would take the OVER 10 wins, but this is probably right on the number. It is going to be tough to get out of the NFC, but at +600 they are getting pretty good value. Don’t expect this team to have enough to beat any AFC contender however.

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