Thread: The path to 11 wins: Not nearly as hard as some make it out to be

Originally Posted by StarkyLuv

The Bears (in my humble opinion) not only have a shot at 11 wins, but actually have a realistic shot at 12 wins. But I'm a more optimistic fan than some of you here and I tend to measure our strengths more than our weaknesses. I'm going to assume that we'll continue to emphasize protecting Cutler and that we're actually healthy (Carimi, Bennett and Wooten are all back).

In two weeks we play the Eagles in Philly. Yes, their offense CAN be scary but their defense AND special teams are ass. With Forte tearing up every team he faces, Roy Williams getting more comfortable with Jay (I know, I can't believe it either) and our special teams, I expect an entertaining victory for the Bears on MNF. 5 wins.

Detroit. The Bears simply will not get swept by this team. They'll remember that the defense giving up two ridiculous big plays to them last time led to our loss. They will not let that happen again. The Lions were paper tigers to begin with by being more lucky than good in their first 3 wins. But again, the Bears are protecting Cutler, Forte's a beast and the passing game is improving. If the Bears can just stop 88 yard runs at home, this is win #6.

Then the next 4 are AFC West teams. The Bears, in my lifetime, have traditionally owned the AFC West. We may have lost a game here and there (a loss to San Diego a few years ago comes to mind) but the Bears are better than each of these teams. And I don't think it's even close. SD's offense can be scary, true, but I just don't see them doing the aerial bombardment thing on the Bears without us getting some picks and sack. I say the Bears sweep all 4 of the AFC West teams with blowouts on Denver and Oakland (and maybe KC). 9 or 10 wins (I'm gonna give a 'maybe' to a loss to SD though I don't really see it)

Seattle. At home. Blowout. Win #10 or 11

Last game of the season is the Vikings at home. Since this game may affect us getting into the playoffs and/or seeding, this will be another stomping of Ponder and Co at Soldier field. Win #11 or 12

That last Green Bay game before the Vikings will be tough regardless since it's in Green Bay. It'll depend on how set they are in seeding in the playoffs. I think they psychologically have an advantage because they just don't believe the Bears can be them, and they won't. Not in this game. The Bears will beat them in the NFC Championship game in some sweet revenge-type shit.

So that's my prediction. Bears will be either 12-4 or 11-5 and make the playoffs. Beat the Pack in the NFC title game and advance to the Super Bowl to play....who knows?

It's definitely realistic if the OL & offense continues to progress, the safety situation settles out, and the team can stay relatively free of serious injuries (personally, I think the return of Carimi & Bennett is going to be a big boost to an offense that is recently showing signs of life after some pathetic performances early on).

Looking at the schedule after the Minn. win, I came to largely the same conclusions with the "gateway games" to a playoff run being the TB & Philly road games. Frankly, these are tough MUST WINS with one down, one to go. I'm hoping that the benefit of the bye, the return of some key O contributors, and Philly's underwhelming play so far this year will be enough to get the win.

That would set up a key home game vs. the Lions in the fight for 2nd in the NFC North. I agree that Detroit was far more lucky than good to get to 5-0 and we shouldn't lose to them at home in this situation.

The AFC West does indeed suck. I was glad to see that we had SD at home (thinking they were easily the best of the division) but the Chargers have continued their same patterns of recent years--consistently under-playing their talent level to finish around .500 for the season. Then you would have to think that Oakland away would be the toughest of the 4, but the Raiders lost their QB and both Boller & Palmer looked horrendous last week. Denver totally sucks and the Chiefs (playing better than I expected) are a home game. You're right, no reason why these games shouldn't be 4-0.

Seattle and Arizona are battling for the title of "worst team that isn't winless" so the Seahawks at home should be an easy win.

That leaves only the Vikings and GB away...