2018 NFC North Champions: Chicago Bears

[wab]

I read this morning that the Bears schedule was the easiest in the NFL (when you take into account their opponents total record), and it is the easiest schedule for any team in several years. Now, that's not to diminish the accomplishment of going 12-4, but it made me think we really need to see this team step up and take what's in front of them NOW. Yes, the offense will continue to grow in year two and beyond, but so many things have lined up well for the Bears this year: schedule, divisional opponents taking steps back, Khalil Mack becoming somehow available via trade, defensive coaching continuity, and, probably most imporantly, team health.

The prospects for this team are good for at least a few years, which is very exciting, but there are too many variables from season to season to not take advantage of a golden opportunity when it presents.

The funny part is that at the beginning of the season, it looked to be one of the more difficult schedules.
The Packers and Pats are perennial playoff teams. The Seahawks were supposed to be rebuilding but still good. The Fins were supposed to contend for a wildcard. The Bucs were supposed to challenge for the division. The Niners were the hot team. The Bills were in the playoffs last season. The Vikings and the Rams were supposed to meet in the NFC Championship.

Really only the Lions, Jets, and Cards were thought to be automatic wins. The Giants were a tossup.

It wasn't a cakewalk schedule at the onset.

[Bears Whiskey Nut]

I read this morning that the Bears schedule was the easiest in the NFL (when you take into account their opponents total record), and it is the easiest schedule for any team in several years. Now, that's not to diminish the accomplishment of going 12-4, but it made me think we really need to see this team step up and take what's in front of them NOW. Yes, the offense will continue to grow in year two and beyond, but so many things have lined up well for the Bears this year: schedule, divisional opponents taking steps back, Khalil Mack becoming somehow available via trade, defensive coaching continuity, and, probably most imporantly, team health.

The prospects for this team are good for at least a few years, which is very exciting, but there are too many variables from season to season to not take advantage of a golden opportunity when it presents.

I would sort of look at that stat as revisionist history. You can't go back, after the end of the season and THEN say, they had the easiest schedule. It automatically discounts their wins. As you said, they have to play the teams in front of them. Their schedule was set-up based on their record last year, as well as every other teams' records. The fact that other teams did not fare as well as the Bears this year, with their schedules, can't be used as an excuse to diminish the Bears' achievements.

[LacertineForest]

I would sort of look at that stat as revisionist history. You can't go back, after the end of the season and THEN say, they had the easiest schedule. It automatically discounts their wins. As you said, they have to play the teams in front of them. Their schedule was set-up based on their record last year, as well as every other teams' records. The fact that other teams did not fare as well as the Bears this year, with their schedules, can't be used as an excuse to diminish the Bears' achievements.

I agree it shouldn't be used to diminish the accomplishment (the same place I saw this mentioned that the Saints had a similarly "easy" schedule when they won the SB in 2009), but I always hate when people say a schedule is easy or hard before the season, when we really know nothing about teams. I think it's more fair to judge retrospectively. You're right - you can only play the teams on your schedule, and winning 12 games is very tough, even if you had to play the Raiders every week. Hell, the Cardinals are going to have the 1st overall pick and they nearly took the Bears out.

The funny part is that at the beginning of the season, it looked to be one of the more difficult schedules.
The Packers and Pats are perennial playoff teams. The Seahawks were supposed to be rebuilding but still good. The Fins were supposed to contend for a wildcard. The Bucs were supposed to challenge for the division. The Niners were the hot team. The Bills were in the playoffs last season. The Vikings and the Rams were supposed to meet in the NFC Championship.

Really only the Lions, Jets, and Cards were thought to be automatic wins. The Giants were a tossup.

It wasn't a cakewalk schedule at the onset.

I remember thinking the 2nd half of the schedule looked pretty tough at the outset of the season, but the Bears went 9-1 over the last 10 games, easily besting the first part of the season. Pretty impressive.

[Richie]

We had 4 wins vs teams with winning records - I think that actually ties us for 2nd in the league.

We also have a +138 point differential. That is a much stronger indicator of a contender than SOS.

[docc]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=gShGzXEU_ag


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2WsGZVBJ8E&feature=player_embedded

Enjoy..

[mohner1]

I read this morning that the Bears schedule was the easiest in the NFL (when you take into account their opponents total record), and it is the easiest schedule for any team in several years. Now, that's not to diminish the accomplishment of going 12-4, but it made me think we really need to see this team step up and take what's in front of them NOW. Yes, the offense will continue to grow in year two and beyond, but so many things have lined up well for the Bears this year: schedule, divisional opponents taking steps back, Khalil Mack becoming somehow available via trade, defensive coaching continuity, and, probably most imporantly, team health.

When a team goes worst to 1st, this is automatically going to happen to some extent due to the fact that your making 3 teams in your division that you played twice worse. 5 losses to our division foes happened BECAUSE of us. Basically we help make our own schedule look soft.

[Z Bear]

The preseason easy schedule comment is bullshit. There are only 2 games a year that are different than your division opponents. This year it just happened to be the Giants and Tampa, next year it will be the Saints and Rams. Your division oponents record play way more into the post season strength of schedule, when you go 5-1 in your division you are going to end up with a soft schedule! Especially with the Puke and Detoilet sucking it up.

[Lions_Guy]

The preseason easy schedule comment is bullshit. There are only 2 games a year that are different than your division opponents. This year it just happened to be the Giants and Tampa, next year it will be the Saints and Rams. Your division oponents record play way more into the post season strength of schedule, when you go 5-1 in your division you are going to end up with a soft schedule! Especially with the Puke and Detoilet sucking it up.

Detroit to take the division in 2019.

[southdakbearfan]

The preseason easy schedule comment is bullshit. There are only 2 games a year that are different than your division opponents. This year it just happened to be the Giants and Tampa, next year it will be the Saints and Rams. Your division oponents record play way more into the post season strength of schedule, when you go 5-1 in your division you are going to end up with a soft schedule! Especially with the Puke and Detoilet sucking it up.

Detroit to take the division in 2019.

Put down the crack pipe.

[docc]

The preseason easy schedule comment is bullshit. There are only 2 games a year that are different than your division opponents. This year it just happened to be the Giants and Tampa, next year it will be the Saints and Rams. Your division oponents record play way more into the post season strength of schedule, when you go 5-1 in your division you are going to end up with a soft schedule! Especially with the Puke and Detoilet sucking it up.

Detroit to take the division in 2019.

Take it where ? To DeToilet ?
Mensa
HILARIOUS..!!

[Bears Whiskey Nut]

The preseason easy schedule comment is bullshit. There are only 2 games a year that are different than your division opponents. This year it just happened to be the Giants and Tampa, next year it will be the Saints and Rams. Your division oponents record play way more into the post season strength of schedule, when you go 5-1 in your division you are going to end up with a soft schedule! Especially with the Puke and Detoilet sucking it up.

Detroit to take the division in 2019.

Dude. You have the highest paid, mediocre QB in the league. You have no decent receivers. Your new head coach is an unmitigated disaster.

The only thing Detroit will be taking next year, is their rightful place at the bottom of the NFC North.

[wab]

The preseason easy schedule comment is bullshit. There are only 2 games a year that are different than your division opponents. This year it just happened to be the Giants and Tampa, next year it will be the Saints and Rams. Your division oponents record play way more into the post season strength of schedule, when you go 5-1 in your division you are going to end up with a soft schedule! Especially with the Puke and Detoilet sucking it up.

Detroit to take the division in 2019.

Dude. You have the highest paid, mediocre QB in the league. You have no decent receivers. Your new head coach is an unmitigated disaster.

The only thing Detroit will be taking next year, is their rightful place at the bottom of the NFC North.

Yeah, and that QB is the subject of trade rumors. So it actually CAN get worse.

[Mikefive]

Wow. I'm not a gambling kinda guy. But I think even I'd put a few nickels on the Lions NOT going worst to first in 2019.