For the second straight offseason, the Chicago Bears made a noteworthy transaction. In 2009 the Bears added quarterback Jay Cutler to the roster; however, his season turned out to be a huge disappointment. This offseason the Bears added DE Julius Peppers to join the likes of linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs on defense. Both units will have
to improve for Chicago to challenge Green Bay and Minnesota.
Sportsbook.com Assorted Chicago Bears Odds
Odds to win Super Bowl XLV: +2500
Odds to win the NFC Title: +1000
Over/Under Regular Season Wins: 8
Most NFL Passing Yards: Jay Cutler +1800
Most NFL Rushing Yards: Matt Forte +2000
SITUATIONAL RECORDS (2009 & 3 Year)
Scenario: 2009 ~ 3-YR TOTAL
Straight Up: 7-9 ~ 23-25 (48%)
ATS: 6-10 ~ 20-27 (43%)
Preseason ATS: 3-1 ~ 5-6 (45%)
Home ATS: 4-4 ~ 11-13 (46%)
Road ATS: 2-6 ~ 9-14 (39%)
Division ATS: 3-3 ~ 8-10 (44%)
Conference ATS: 4-8 ~ 14-21 (40%)
Favorite ATS: 4-3 ~ 12-12 (50%)
Underdog ATS: 2-7 ~ 8-14 (36%)
Over-Under: 6-10 ~ 22-26 (46%)
2009 Key Team Stats & NFL Ranks
Scoring Differential: 3 (#21 of 32)
Yardage Differential: 27.5 (#23 of 32)
Yards Per Play Differential: 0.12 (#20 of 32)
Yards Per Point Differential: -0.77 (#20 of 32)
Turnover Differential: -6 (#23 of 32)
Total Offense (Yards Per Game): 310.3 (#23 of 32)
Total Defense (Yards Per Game): 337.8 (#17 of 32)
2010 SCHEDULE: Strength - 21.56 (5th toughest of 32)
DATE - OPPONENT, TIME
9/12/10 - DETROIT, 1:00 PM
9/19/10 - at Dallas, 1:00 PM
9/27/10 - GREEN BAY, 8:30 PM
10/3/10 - at NY Giants, 8:20 PM
10/10/10 - at Carolina, 1:00 PM
10/17/10 - SEATTLE, 1:00 PM
10/24/10 - WASHINGTON, 1:00 PM
11/7/10 - at Buffalo (in Toronto), 1:00 PM
11/14/10 - MINNESOTA, 1:00 PM
11/18/10 - at Miami, 8:20 PM
11/28/10 - PHILADELPHIA, 1:00 PM
12/5/10 - at Detroit, 1:00 PM
12/12/10 - NEW ENGLAND, 1:00 PM
12/20/10 - at Minnesota, 8:30 PM
12/26/10 - NY JETS, 1:00 PM
1/2/11 - at Green Bay, 1:00 PM
Key Betting Trend:
CHICAGO is on a 2-16 ATS (-15.6 Units) skid after scoring 25 points or
more in 2 straight games. The Average Score was CHICAGO 19.2, OPPONENT 24.2
2010 OUTLOOK
Chicago fans are gushing over another prized acquisition, as DE Julius
Peppers joins a unit that includes LB's Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs.
It's the second time in as many off seasons the front office put all of its
eggs in one basket.
Last year those eggs proved mainly rotten, with QB Jay
Cutler leading the NFL in interceptions with 26 after a blockbuster trade
with Denver. The Bears weren't much of a factor in the NFC North and had the
Lions, Rams and Browns to thank for four of their seven wins.
A year after ranking third in the NFL in passing yards with 4,526, Cutler never
got on track and many of his picks came in the red zone or deep in
Chicago territory.
Overall, the offense ranked 23rd, up slightly from 26th,
but the unit wasn't close to meeting expectations. Little changed in
personnel, but the presence of new coordinator Mike Martz and the natural
progression of some younger players might turn it around. Though not big
names at wide receiver, Martz thinks he has enough to get it done, and RB
Matt Forte took a step back in 2009, but still totaled 1,400 yards from
scrimmage. The line is in good shape.
Perhaps not the team's biggest problem, the Bears addressed some defensive concerns by investing in Peppers. HC Lovie Smith will be counting on Peppers to apply pressure in a QB-strong division, since there's a chance the team's starting ends, Alex Brown and
Adewale Ogunleye, won't be back. Of course, Urlacher's season lasted just
three quarters when he dislocated his right wrist in the opener. Expectations
were high last season and the Bears didn't come close to meeting them. Smith
is on the hot seat, and a slow start could spell doom. While the addition of
Peppers has created a buzz, he and Cutler need to be big for Chicago to make
the playoffs.
Sportsbook.com Regular Season Wins Prop: Over/Under 8
Eight wins for the Chicago Bears seems very optimistic to me considering how poorly Cutler played a year ago. If you look at the road schedule, you could easily see a second straight 2-6 record with wins coming at Buffalo and Detroit. If so, this team is not
making the playoffs and 7-9 or even worse is the forecast.
