Predicting Results for the Remainder of the Chicago Bears' 2011 Schedule

Just trying to predict one game is challenging enough, so to predict the remainder of the season is a daunting task.

But putting on our Bears rose colored glasses, we find that there are games they win that maybe they shouldn't, and at least one that they should win but do not.

Hey, that's life in the NFL. If everything was predictable, it would be boring, though it would make betting a helluva lot easier.

But enough chit-chat. Let's jump right in and see how the rest of the 2011 schedule looks for our Bears, and find out where the road leads us.

Will the Bears fall short or are they a playoff team? Only I know, and soon, so will you.

Week 9: Bears 17, Eagles 14

I must say that this game scares the heck out of me. On the one hand, the Bears have played well against Mike Vick.

And, the Eagles are only 2-4 and have been extremely disappointing so far.

But they will be hungry. And the Bears will be coming off of two weeks of inactivity, and playing on Monday Night Football.

This game and the Lions one are difficult to predict, but I'll go with the Bears in a close one.

That's three in a row for our Bears, and they improve to 5-3 and are very much in the playoff hunt.

Week 10: Bears 27, Lions 20

Here's another game that could go either way. The Lions are currently on a two game losing streak, but have played well and Matthew Stafford is healthy.

But the Bears are on a roll, and the Lions, while much better than last year, are just not quite ready for prime time yet.

Having said that, would I put money on this prediction? No way. The Bears could very easily lose this game. And if they do, they are in trouble because it is another loss in the NFC. 

With this win, the Bears have now won four in a row and are sitting pretty at 6-3 on the season.

Week 11: Chargers 24, Bears 21

So here is where the Bears impressive run comes to a screeching halt. Although it's a close one, I do believe that Philip Rivers picks that secondary apart.

The Bears put up a brave fight, but in the end, Rivers is too much, and without a strong pass rush, he will have a field day.

In the end, the defense bends but doesn't break, though it bends just enough for the Chargers to pull out the victory.

Week 12: Bears 20, Raiders 7

The Oakland Raiders are having a much improved season, but Carson Palmer will play right into the Bears hands.

They will pick him off twice, and he will get sacked twice as well.

The Raiders won't be able to mount any offense, and while the Bears offense struggles too, Devin Hester either returns one for a TD or puts the Bears in great field position for Robbie Gould to kick some field goals.

Week 13: Bears 28, Chiefs 14

The Chiefs are on a roll, and playing very well. But they come into Soldier Field and the Bears open a can of whupping on them.

In one of Jay Cutler's best games as a Bear, they easily glide to victory.

After this game, the Bears are 8-4.

Week 14: Broncos 31, Bears 30

This game is a trap for the Bears, in my opinion.

The Broncos fans really hate Cutler, and will be out for blood and booing loudly every time he takes the field.

Meanwhile, you know Cutler will desperately want to show Denver they made a mistake in trading him, even though he asked to be traded. It was mainly Josh McDaniel's disrespect for Cutler that caused this.

Look, in every season there are games that teams should win but they do not. This is one of them.

Week 15: Bears 20, Seahawks 10

Seattle has a bad offense, and the Bears may not look like world beaters, but they do just enough to squeak out a victory at home.

Peppers gets two sacks.

Week 16: Packers 24, Bears 17

I know it's the hated Packers, and this win would give them a sweep for the season, but I just can't see the Bears winning this one.

The Packers are clearly the best team in the NFL, with the best QB, and while the Bears may make the playoffs, they are simply no match for Green Bay, unfortunately.

This puts the Bears at 9-6 and in must-win mode for the final week of the season.  

Week 17: Bears 35, Vikings 17

Needing a win to qualify for the wild card, the Bears have the motivation to beat a bad Vikings team. And beat them they certainly do.

The Bears offense explodes against a porous Vikings defense with nothing to play for.

Matt Forte rushes for 145 yards.

With the win, the Bears finish at 10-6 and become the third team in the division to make the playoffs.