The Chicago Bears wins projection for 2018 was around 6-7 according to Las Vegas last year. They ended up with 12. So it would be interesting to see if the oddmakers were a little more optimistic about their chances for 2019. It turns out that they were, by a healthy margin too.
The Westgate Las Vegas Superbook put the Bears over/under number a 9.5 wins this year. The best mark in the NFC North. Green Bay and Minnesota tied with 9 and Detroit brought up the rear with 7. Mike Clay of ESPN wasn't buying into that possibility though.
He acknowledges the Bears still have one of the best defenses in the league, but there is still reason to think that their young quarterback will hold them back on what is projected to be a much tougher schedule.
Quarterback remains a question, as Mitch Trubisky has posted one of the league's seven worst off-target rates each of his first two seasons while posting the league's 11th-worst interception rate in 2018. Chicago will face the league's eighth-hardest schedule.
Projected wins: 9.3
Pick: Under
Clay was of the belief that the Packers, despite changing head coaches would rise to regain control of the division. No doubt the presence of Aaron Rodgers swayed his decision in a big as it typically does. One must remember the Bears are new to the playoff scene.
People are still wondering if they were just a one-year wonder who took advantage of an easier schedule. This season will be their true proving ground as to whether it's time to take them seriously as contenders. Last year was last year. That's over. Nobody gets a trophy for past accomplishments in this league.
Matt Nagy knows this and has made it clear to his team. If they want respect, they'll have to go out and earn it.
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