In an NFL offseason, a team’s defense usually starts out performing better than the offense, and that’s exactly how it felt for the Chicago Bears for most of training camp. The offense had some moments for sure, but during all of their install days, it was Chicago’s D who had the upper hand. Post-install, Chicago’s offense began to string together a few nice days, but there were still some presnap issues, which have lingered.
Most reports had Chicago playing decent football during their two joint
practices against the Dolphins and Bills, and they didn’t lose a game in the preseason (2-0-1) thanks to some surprisingly good offensive play.
In the three games, the Bears’ offense had the third most total yards, third most passing yards, tenth most rushing yards, and third most points (30.3 ppg).
On defense, Chicago allowed the seventh fewest yards, the thirteenth fewest passing yards, the eighth fewest rushing yards, and were eighth best in points allowed (17.0 ppg).
I know it’s all just practice, but besides the press conferences, training camp and preseason games are all we have to go off of in the offseason.
Earlier this week, we asked you if you were more confident in the team than you were earlier this offseason, about the same, or less confident?
While most of us are unchanged — and I assume are still feeling good about the teams — 38% of our fans are riding even higher after the Bears ended the offseason on a relatively high note.
Our partners at FanDuel Sportsbook have had the over/under win total for the Bears at 8.5 all offseason, and that’s still where it’s at.
The line for Chicago’s week one game against the Minnesota Vikings remains unchanged at +1.5 for the home Bears. The over/under point total has come down slightly and is now at 43.5.
I’m higher on the Bears than Fanduel is because I’m picking them to beat the Vikes in week one, and I’m taking the over on 8.5 wins, too.
Reason being, I believe in Ben Johnson. FanDuel has Johnson as the favorite to win Coach of the Year at +650, so if he does that, he’ll lead the Bears to a winning record.
SB Nation Reacts is a survey of fans across the NFL, and all year long, we’ll ask questions of the most plugged-in Bears fans and fans across the country. You can sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
