Chicago Bears 2012-2013 Season Odds

A major slump down the stretch kept the Bears out of the playoffs last season. In Week 11 the Bears appeared bound for a Wild Cat spot, but instead dropped five of their last six games to finish the season 8-8 and on the outside looking in at the postseason.

Odds to win NFC North: +350
Regular Season Win Total: 9.5 (OVER -105)
Props: NFL MVP odds Matt Forte 40/1

The Chicago Bears usually stout defense wasn't quite as good as in previous years, and finished 17th in the league last season after allowing 350.5 yards per game. The Bears run defense was again one of the best in the NFL, ranking fifth (96.4 yards per game), but they were much weaker against the pass, ranking 28th (254.1 yards per game).

Bears defensive leader Brian Urlacher had knee surgery during the preseason and may not be ready by Week 1. Keep an eye on his status heading into the start of the season.

Offensively last season the Bears were one of the best teams in the league on the ground, but struggled at time through the air. Chicago hopes to have found an answer by quarterback Jay Cutler with wide receiver Brandon Marshall. The often-injured Cutler missed six games last season and despite his strong arm continues to make bad decisions at times that lead to interceptions.

Chicago also drafted wideout Alshon Jeffrey who could make an impact right away if he sees the field enough. Jeffrey has seen plenty of red-zone time during training camp and the preseason and could overtake Devin Hester or Earl Bennett on the depth chart by the end of the season.

Matt Forte carried the Bears running game on his back last season, rushing for 997 yards on 203 carries. He'll get some help this season from new acquisition Michael Bush. With Oakland last season Bush rushed for 977 yards on 256 carries and filled in admirably when Darren McFadden was injured.

Odds to win NFC North at Bovada as of August 20
Green Bay Packers -275
Detroit Lions +450
Chicago Bears +350
Minnesota Vikings +3500

2012 Chicago Bears Schedule (All Times Eastern)

01 Sep 9 IND @ CHI (Soldier Field 1:00pm CBS)
02 Sep 13 CHI @ GB (Lambeau Field 8:20pm NFL)
03 Sep 23 STL @ CHI (Soldier Field 1:00pm FOX)
04 Oct 1 CHI @ DAL (Cowboys Stadium 8:30pm ESPN)
05 Oct 7 CHI @ JAC ( 4:05pm FOX)
06 BYE
07 Oct 22 DET @ CHI (Soldier Field 8:30pm ESPN)
08 Oct 28 CAR @ CHI (Soldier Field 1:00pm FOX)
09 Nov 4 CHI @ TEN (LP Field 1:00pm FOX)
10 Nov 11 HOU @ CHI (Soldier Field 8:20pm NBC)
11 Nov 19 CHI @ SF (Candlestick Park 8:30pm ESPN)
12 Nov 25 MIN @ CHI (Soldier Field 1:00pm FOX)
13 Dec 2 SEA @ CHI (Soldier Field 1:00pm FOX)
14 Dec 9 CHI @ MIN (Mall of America Field 1:00pm FOX)
15 Dec 16 GB @ CHI (Soldier Field 1:00pm FOX)
16 Dec 23 CHI @ ARI (University of Phoenix Stadium 4:25pm FOX)
17 Dec 30 CHI @ DET (Ford Field 1:00pm FOX)

Chicago Bears 2011-2012 Season Odds Preview

Chicago entered last season behind Green Bay and Minnesota in most people’s NFC North preseason projections, but finished the season 11-5 to win the division.

They once again enter the season this year projected to finish behind two teams, with most putting the Bears behind Green Bay and up-and-coming Detroit. Chicago still has the core of their defense together, which always makes them a threat to top the division by season’s end.

Odds to Win NFC North: +500
Regular Season Win Total: Over 8.5 (+130)
Props: MVP Odds Jay Cutler 50/1

NFL Odds | NFL Betting Strategy | NFL Database | NFL Handicapping Stats

Chicago finished ninth in total defense (giving up 314.3 yards per game) and fourth in scoring defense (17.9 points per game), in large part due to their stingy rushing defense which finished second in the league with just 90.1 yards against per game.

Chicago Bears staples Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs return along with defensive end Julius Peppers to lead one of the strongest front-seven in the NFL. Urlacher and Briggs combined for 214 tackles last season, and Peppers picked up 54 including eight sacks.

As is often the case with Chicago, the defense is rock solid, and the season’s question marks come on the offensive side of the ball. The Bears' defense has won plenty of games in spite of their offense over the last few years, but to top the tough NFC North they’ll need the offense to help out.

Quarterback Jay Cutler continues to be an enigma for the Chicago Bears. There’s not much questioning his arm strength or raw talent, but at some point he’s going to need to cut back on the turnovers (16 interceptions and nine fumbles in 2010).

He gets two new weapons on offense in wideout Roy Williams and running back Marion Barber. Barber joins Matt Forte and Chester Taylor in a very talented backfield. If this tandem can give Chicago consistent production in the running game, it might allow Cutler to stop trying to force big plays.

If the offense protects the ball, the Bears should be right in the thick of the division race down the stretch.

Week 1: vs. Atlanta

NFC North Odds at Bodog as of August 22:
Green Bay Packers -220
Detroit Lions +450
Chicago Bears +500
Minnesota Vikings +1000

2011 Chicago Bears Schedule (All times Eastern)

01 Sep 11 ATL @ CHI (Soldier Field 1:00pm FOX)
02 Sep 18 CHI @ NO (Superdome 1:00pm FOX)
03 Sep 25 GB @ CHI (Soldier Field 4:15pm FOX)
04 Oct 02 CAR @ CHI (Soldier Field 1:00pm FOX)
05 Oct 10 CHI @ DET (Ford Field 8:30pm ESPN)
06 Oct 16 MIN @ CHI (Soldier Field 8:20pm NBC)
07 Oct 23 CHI @ TB (Wembley Stadium 1:00pm FOX)
08 Bye    
09 Nov 07 CHI @ PHI (Lincoln Financial Field 8:30pm ESPN)
10 Nov 13 DET @ CHI (Soldier Field 1:00pm FOX)
11 Nov 20 SD @ CHI (Soldier Field 4:15pm CBS)
12 Nov 27 CHI @ OAK (O.co Coliseum 4:05pm FOX)
13 Dec 04 KC @ CHI (Soldier Field 1:00pm CBS)
14 Dec 11 CHI @ DEN (Sports Authority Field at Mile High 4:05pm FOX)
15 Dec 18 SEA @ CHI (Soldier Field 1:00pm FOX)
16 Dec 25 CHI @ GB (Lambeau Field 8:20pm NBC)         
17 Jan 01 CHI @ MIN (Mall of America Field 1:00pm FOX)