For a while there, I didn't think we'd get to this point. At least, I didn't think we'd get to this point on time.
Alas, we indeed made it -- it's Week 1 of the 2020 NFL season. And not a moment too soon.
The Chicago Bears will head up to Detroit this weekend to take on the Lions at Ford Field. They haven't opened a season against Detroit since Calvin Johnson's infamous, overturned catch in the end zone at Soldier Field made way to the much-maligned "Process of the Catch" rule. That was in 2010. A decade later, the Bears and Lions face off in Week 1.
And now that we're kicking off a new football season, here are my predictions for the Bears in 2020. Follow me on Twitter @DhruvKoul to continue the conversation.
2020 Bears Predictions
Before I begin, here's a general call-out to GM Ryan Pace:
It had to be said. Okay, here we go:
Schedule
This is usually the best place to start. When the NFL schedule first came out, I predicted the Bears would go 9-7. Now that the Bears have held their practices and named Mitch Trubisky the winner of their quarterback competition, here is my revised set of predictions for the schedule:
Week 1 -- @ DET -- W
Week 2 -- vs. NYG -- W
Week 3 -- @ ATL -- L
Week 4 -- vs. IND -- W
Week 5 -- vs. TB -- L
Week 6 -- @ CAR -- W
Week 7 -- @ LAR -- W
Week 8 -- vs. NO -- L
Week 9 -- @ TEN -- L
Week 10 -- vs. MIN -- W
Week 11 -- BYE
Week 12 -- @ GB -- L
Week 13 -- vs. DET -- W
Week 14 -- vs. HOU -- L
Week 15 -- @ MIN -- L
Week 16 -- @ JAX -- W
Week 17 -- vs. GB -- W
Final record: 9-7. (Yeah, it didn't change much.)
(Note: I reserve the right to change my actual weekly predictions each week.)
Team Superlatives
Offensive MVP -- Allen Robinson
Does this surprise anyone? The Bears' best player on offense will also be their MVP. That, too, in a contract year? He may price himself out of the Chicago's range, which would be immensely disappointing.
Defensive MVP -- Akiem Hicks
Khalil Mack is arguably the best EDGE rusher and overall defensive player in the NFL. There's no doubt about it. But no one means more to Chicago's defense than Hicks. Especially without big Eddie Goldman in the middle, the Bears are going to rely on Hicks to eat more than usual on the defensive line. The Bears missed him badly in 2019, and teams like Oakland, New Orleans, and Philadelphia were able to scheme Mack out of the game without Hicks there. The Bears need him.
Most Improved Player -- Anthony Miller
Considering Miller should've had Antonio Brown-level stats in 2019, I expect that to translate to this year, with the Bears (arguably) having better (it can't be worse) QB play, and Miller himself being much more detailed and immersed in the offense. Think about it, Miller's insane route-running ability and above-average speed helped him get open with ease WITHOUT knowing the details. Imagine how good he'll be when he knows exactly how to run his routes. It's kind of scary to think about. Bears fans should be happy that he's a Bear.
Sleeper of the Year -- Danny Trevathan
It can't be understated how important Danny Trevathan is to the Bears' defense. The Bears missed him a lot when he missed time in 2019 following a forearm break against Detroit. He and Roquan Smith have the potential to make an extremely strong inside-linebacking duo. If Trevathan stays healthy, the Bears will be in good shape.
Rookie of the Year -- Jaylon Johnson
Cole Kmet might be the sexy pick because he's a) a talented rookie tight end in the Bears' West Coast scheme and b) a die-hard Bears fan. Darnell Mooney might be a fun pick, too, because of his outstanding quickness, speed and reports of him shining in practices. But Johnson will be starting on Day 1 as a rookie CB and coming off an injury. Expect him to be tested routinely the first few weeks as he settles in. He's got one of the tougher jobs on the team. I expect him to come out of the early tests intact and ready to do Charles Tillman's number justice.
Game of the Year -- vs. Tampa Bay on Thursday Night Football
Yeah, Green Bay is THE storied rivalry. Yeah, Minnesota and Detroit are division rivals as well. Yeah, Deshaun Watson comes to Chicago later this year. Yeah, Sean Payton brings his Saints back to Chicago where they tore Mitch Trubisky's heart out and shredded it all over the Soldier Field grass one year ago. But come on -- Week 5 at home, in prime time, hosting the greatest quarterback of all time, an opposing head coach who desperately wanted the Bears' job in 2013 before getting shunned for MARC TRESTMAN, and an insane set of weapons to contend with? It's not going to get much more interesting than Buccaneers-Bears.
Bold Predictions
This section was fun to write, even if you might think I'm insane for some of these predictions:
1. The Bears' QBs combine for over 4,000 yards passing -- the first time that's happened in Bears history. (Author's Note -- This would actually be the second time in Bears' history where this has happened. The first time was in 2013 when Jay Cutler and Josh McCown combined to eclipse 4,000 passing yards. Thanks to Cam Henderson (Twitter handle @camgamhende) for catching this.)
2. Robert Quinn leads the Bears with 16 sacks.
3. Allen Robinson finishes second on the team in both receiving yards (Anthony Miller) and touchdowns (Jimmy Graham).
4. Tashaun Gipson finishes with more interceptions than Eddie Jackson. Jaylon Johnson finishes with more interceptions than Kyle Fuller.
5. Bears win at least three games thanks to a field goal in the final two minutes.
6. Darnell Mooney will relegate Ted Ginn Jr. to the bench by Week 10.
7. Bears sack Deshaun Watson six times, intercept him twice, and the Bears still lose to Houston at home.
8. Bears make the playoffs as a Wild Card. And they win two playoff games on the road before losing in the NFC title game. Yep. All of this in a season where many think the Bears are going to suck. I'll take it. Then again, this is a Bold Prediction... one that I'm writing. I can make it whatever I want. But it should be somewhat realistic -- I can't have something insane like Trubisky winning the MVP award... right?
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