Thread: NFL Pick: Chicago Bears 2012 Season Preview and Prediction NFC NORTH

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NFL Pick: Chicago Bears 2012 Season Preview and Prediction NFC NORTH

Written by Mitch on July 9, 2012
The Chicago Bears look to be armed and ready for battle in 2012.
The Bears hope their off season moves pay big dividends in 2012.
Overview: Two years ago the Chicago Bears won the NFC North and lost in the NFC Championship game. Last season the Bears were well within reach of the playoffs when a slew of injuries just took over. This year the Bears have upgraded and look on paper to be far better than either of those teams but there is little talk of a championship for the Bears this year, I am not sure why. Lovie Smith might have a better team than the team that went to the Super Bowl just a few years back but the division is absolutely loaded.
Offense: Jay Cutler looked like a different QB last season before he was injured as he was still getting sacked but not nearly as much but more importantly, he wasn’t turning the ball over. This year Cutler is reunited with Brandon Marshall who if he can keep his head on straight is one of the best receivers in the game. The Bears added Alshon Jeffery in the draft and of course Devin Hester is a threat to go the distance every time he touches the ball. The Bears don’t want to pay Matt Forte but they eventually will and he has the most capable backup he has had in Michael Bush. The Offensive line should be much better as well as they get back last year’s first rounder Gabe Carmini who has the makings to become a good one.
Defense: Brian Urlacher had surgery last year but there isn’t much that can hold him back. Lance Briggs seems to always play like he is in a contract year and is one of the NFL’s best. Julius Peppers could be the NFL’s best overall player at any position as he dominates and occupies blockers all the while making everyone else on his team more effective. Isreal Idonije takes full advantage of the attention given to Peppers. Matt Toeaina looks like he will start in the middle of the DL with Henry Melton. Charles Tillman anchors the secondary alongside Tim Jennings while Major Wright and Chris Conte man the safety spots. This defense is going to be a handful for their opponents.
Schedule: Aside from having to play the Packers and the Lions twice including playing the Packers on a Thursday in week two on the road meaning just four days in between games, the Bears host the Texans and go to Dallas but other than that the schedule looks fairly soft drawing Jacksonville, St. Louis, Carolina, and Tennessee along with their two games against the Vikings. The Bears do play three of their last four games on the road which could be a factor.
Outlook: I like the Bears chances this year and I look for them to contend not just for the NFC North title but really to win the NFC and the Super Bowl. While it’s tough to pick winners in July, the Bears look to have all of the pieces in place in all of the right spots and if they stay healthy are going to be very tough to beat.
Bears Regular-Season Schedule (All times Eastern)
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 9, Indianapolis, 1:00 PM
Week 2: Thursday, Sept. 13, at Green Bay, 8:20 PM
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 23, St. Louis, 1:00 PM
Week 4: Monday, Oct. 1, at Dallas, 8:30 PM
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 7, at Jacksonville, 4:05 PM
Week 6: BYE
Week 7: Monday, Oct. 22, Detroit, 8:30 PM
Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 28, Carolina, 1:00 PM
Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 4, at Tennessee, 1:00 PM
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 11, Houston, 8:20 PM
Week 11: Monday, Nov. 19, at San Francisco, 8:30 PM
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 25, Minnesota, 1:00 PM
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 2, Seattle, 1:00 PM
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 9, at Minnesota, 1:00 PM
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 16, Green Bay, 1:00 PM
Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 23, at Arizona, 4:15 PM
Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 30, at Detroit, 1:00 PM