Last year the NFL Network did their record predictions for every team. The
Chicago Bears, much to the dismay of fans, were projected to go 5-11. People thought they were crazy. Then the Bears finished 5-11. So perhaps it's important to take these picks a little more seriously in 2018. With training camp just a week away, they finally arrived.
What's different about this year? Well, the good news is there's a bit more optimism. Or bias. It depends on how one looks at it. The two men doing the predicting this year were none other than Adam Rank and James Jones. For those who aren't caught up, Rank is a proud Bears fan. Jones is a former receiver for the Green Bay Packers.
So needless to say this had a chance to get ugly. Unsurprisingly Rank had no shame is flaunting his Bears colors. He has the team finishing 14-2, dominating the NFC and likely ending up with homefield advantage in the playoffs. Wishful thinking? Maybe. Jones was a little more reserved, having the Bears finish 8-8 but outside the playoffs.
The most fascinating part isn't their differing records though. It was their agreement on one thing the Bears would do.
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Chicago Bears predicted to sweep the Vikings in 2018
The Minnesota Vikings finished 13-3 last season, boasting the #1 defense in the NFL. They went to the NFC championship game. Then this offseason they added quarterback Kirk Cousins, a Pro Bowler, to the mix. Not only are they current favorites to win the division, they are widely believed to be the team that will dethrone the Eagles in the NFC to reach the Super Bowl.
So when Rank and Jones both predicted the Bears would sweep them this year, it came as a tremendous shock. The Bears haven't swept an NFC North opponent since the Lions way back in 2012. If they were to somehow pull this off, it would be up there with sweeping the eventual 13-3 Packers way back in 2007.
Can they do it? The Bears are certainly an improved team and they always play the Vikings close at Soldier Field. So that could be a win for sure. The hard part is the trip up to Minnesota. Chicago hasn't won in that dome since January 1st of 2012, going 0-6 since then. It will take a monumental effort from coaches to players to pull off.
If they do, it will hands down be the highlight of the 2018 season.
Bears
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