Chicago Bears Tabbed as Likely 2018 Playoff Contender

The Chicago Bears didn't have huge expectations in 2017. Most didn't see them in the playoffs, but still they thought it would be better than this. To be fair the team is technically better than they were in 2016. They've already equaled their win total of three and have six games left to play. Odds say they're able to win at least one of them. With another losing record likely though, it's hard for people to take this team seriously. They're considered the Browns of the NFC. The new perennial cellar dweller destined to be cannon fodder for the best teams in the league. It has certainly felt that way for the past three years. How much longer will fans have to endure this? Based on recent predictions, not much longer. Jon Styf and Kyle Nabor represented Pro Football Weekly in setting their expectations for which teams in the NFL are poised to make a jump to the postseason in 2018.

Chicago Bears are playoff bound if they get off-season right

Styf and Nabor agree on one point. The Bears look almost exactly that like the Los Angeles Rams did in 2016. Boring and sometimes anemic offense with an inexperienced quarterback. A solid defense that is forced to shoulder too much of the load. A star at running back facing loaded boxes. What the team needs is to make some key changes to their coaching staff and personnel, particularly at wide receiver just like the Rams did this off-season. If they are able to succeed the long wait for a return to relevance may finally end.

"As he wrote, last year the Rams fell apart, got their coach fired and then revamped their system around Sean McVay, Wade Phillips and Jared Goff. To this point, they are one of the NFL's best teams in 2017. So which of this year's bad teams could do the same next year? The natural answer is the Bears. I see the parallels. The rookie QB, the reliance on defense, the lack of passing-game weapons and a running game that's better than it's showing because opponents can zone in on them. Next year, with a fresh start, new coach and more receiving weapons, I could also see the Bears as a playoff team."

This seem to be the general feeling among many other experts. The Bears have played several good teams in close games this year. It feels like they're on the cusp of something special but can't quite overturn the engine. Perhaps one more bold move next spring could be the catalyst to get things going.