With a second consecutive division crown and an NFC Conference Championship in 2006, the Chicago Bears took a big stride forward in their progress under Lovie Smith. However, the public disclosure of Smith’s contract discussions, LB Lance Briggs’ media circus, and the shipping off of offensive MVP Thomas Jones marked a particularly drama-filled offseason.
The departure of Thomas Jones leaves former first-round draft pick RB Cedric Benson and QB Rex Grossman under severe pressure to perform as offensive centerpieces on a team the oddsmakers have favored to win the NFC. Sportsbook.com has made the Chicago Beats 16 to 1 odds to win Super Bowl XLII.
On defense, the team must be able to handle Briggs’ threat to hold out of the regular season, Tank Johnson’s off-the-field problems, and first-year coordinator Bob Babich’s growing pains. I think the Bears combat all these problems rather easily if Mike Brown and Tommie Harris are healthy for the season.
The Bears’ front office vowed that the offense would improve with Rex Grossman as their full time signal caller. That persistence seemingly paid off, as Chicago finished tied for second in the NFL in points scored — although leading the league in points off turnovers certainly helped. Even so, an offense that finished 2005 near the bottom of the league catapulted up to the middle of the pack behind Grossman’s fast start, a powerful ground game featuring two quality backs (Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson), and the surfacing of a deep threat in Bernard Berrian.
The Bears proved that even a little bit of offense to go with their talented “D” could get them in the big game. More improvement in 2007 on this side of the ball, and they just might be raising the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Lovie Smith’s cover-2 began the season in dominant form, holding its first 10 opponents to less than 300 total yards and registering 29 takeaways in those 10 matchups However, the Bears “D” finished the season in less than heroic fashion, permitting more than 300 yards in each of its final nine games including its playoff matchups.
The loss of Mike Brown in Week Six and Tommie Harris in Week 13 was costly. Not only did their injuries cost the team two of its top playmakers, but it robbed them of their most intelligent, hardest hitting defensive back and their best pass rusher. Although they finished first in the league in turnovesr forced, it was apparent that they were not the same defense in the playoffs.
At season’s end, Smith hastily dumped popular coordinator Ron Rivera in exchange for long-time sidekick Bob Babich. This should only improve the Bears defense with the chemistry these two have.
New England Patriots 2-1
San Diego Chargers 5-1
Indianapolis Colts 7-1
Chicago Bears 16-1
Baltimore Ravens 25-1
Pittsburgh Steelers 30-1
Cincinnati Bengals 25-1
Denver Broncos 25-1
Philadelphia Eagles 18-1
Dallas Cowboys 25-1
Carolina Panthers 25-1
Seattle Seahawks 18-1
New Orleans Saints 18-1
New York Giants 35-1
Jacksonville Jaguars 30-1
Kansas City Chiefs 60-1
New York Jets 40-1
Miami Dolphins 55-1
Tennessee Titans 60-1
Atlanta Falcons 60-1
Buffalo Bills 100-1
Washington Redskins 40-1
Arizona Cardinals 40-1
Saint Louis Rams 50-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 45-1
San Francisco 49ers 20-1
Minnesota Vikings 50-1
Green Bay Packers 40-1
Houston Texans 100-1
Oakland Raiders 75-1
Cleveland Browns 100-1
Detroit Lions 100-1
