NFL Regular Season Win Total Recommendation

It’s looking more and more like the Bears 2006 rampage through the National Conference was an aberration rather than a harbinger of future success. After going 13-3 as NFL runners up, the modern Monsters of the Midway suffered the expected post-Super Bowl malaise in falling to a bad 7-9. This year, the Soldier Field faithful will be happy to see the freefalling Bears get eight wins in 2008. Not likely.

 

After a 2007 season that saw the Bear offense scramble for points, the Chicago front office chose not to address their glaring quarterback issues. First round draft OT Chris Williams had a herniated disc in his back operated on August 6th and will probably be out for the year. Kyle Orton is a better game manager and will commit fewer turnovers than Rex Grossman but has been given little in the way of weapons to do any damage.

 

The Bear backfield is pedestrian at best. Rookie Matt Forte out of Tulane could turn out to be a good one but is an unproven commodity at this point. The other Adrian Peterson (519 yards in 2007) is back with journeymen Garret Wolfe and Thomas Jones getting some carries. The WR corps is among the leagues weakest. The ancient Marty Booker is the main threat. His 509 career receptions in more than twice of the others combined. Lovie Smith will try to stretch the field with Devin Hester.

 

The defense has gotten old fast and their problems in this year’s preseason should not be all that much a surprise after the unit fell to 27th overall in 2007. Linebacker is solid with Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs but the secondary is suspect and the defensive line is more adept at stopping the run than putting pressure on the passer.

 

The entire NFC North has a tough schedule facing the AFC and NFC South. The best thing that could happen to this club would be to miss Peyton Manning in their opener as this team could VERY EASILY be 1-6 or 0-7 heading into their Week Eight bye!

 

The Bears open on the road at Indianapolis and Carolina before facing Tampa Bay and the Eagles at home. Probably winless at this point, they travel to much improved Detroit and Atlanta. Then its home to Minnesota, Detroit, and Tennessee. Things don’t get easier from here. The second half features three straight roadies – at Green Bay, at St Louis, and at Minnesota before entertaining Jacksonville, Green Bay, and New Orleans. At Houston completes this death march.

 

Barring an act of God like Kyle Orton throwing for 4000 yards and 40 touchdowns, I put this team at four to five wins and easily falling short of the projected 7.5 wins. Best Bet on the UNDER.