Surprising preseason rankings from Peter King

[Partial]

2004 - 1-1
2005 - 0-2
2006 - 1-1
2007 - 0-2
2008 - 1-1

record past 5 years: 3-7

Recent history shows the Bears have played us very tough. It has nothing to do with Rodgers or Cutler or anything like that. One field goal away... woulda shoulda coulda.. almost only counts in horseshoes my friend. You lose games that you almost win.

I think they'll split, like I said. So cut the BS and thinking you can read people's minds.

[Scott Campbell]

Let them hype the Bears. They deserve the additional pressure having gambled away so many picks this year.

They gave up two picks over 3 years. Yep thats really a whole lot.

The Bears gave up three picks in two years: first rounders in 2009 and 2010, and a third 2009. They also got back a five from Denver in 2009. Given how the Bears first round picks have turned out lately, you could argue they didn't lose very much in giving those picks to Denver.

They also gave up Orton, who at the very least looks like a reliable backup. Bear fans are in full spin mode on this deal. It's like my wives when they go to the store and come back with a truckload of crap - and tell me how much money I "saved".

[Scott Campbell]

Re: Rankings

I would put the rankings as follows:
Minn
GB/Chicago push

Agreed. All 3 are equal right now. Really, IF you want to argue putting one team slightly ahead, it would be the Vikes with a proven run stop D and a proven run game.

Holy crap - I agree with Packnut!

[Dabaddestbear]

Just curious DBB, but where do you see the Bears' 12 wins coming from?

@ GB
Pitt
@ Sea
Det
BYE
@ Atl
@ Cin
Cle
Ari
@ SF
Phi
@ Min
Stl
GB
@ Bal
Min
@ Det

I hate to predict games before seeing at least some pre-season practices(they are not games cuz they are meaningless), but here goes.

@ GB --W, Get the packers before they get their new defense together and b4 they get film on how to stop Cutler on the Bears.
Pitt--L Pitt got new weapons on offense, should make it hard to pull one off
@ Sea-- W, nothing suggest that Seattle will improve much from last year this early in the season.
Det-- W, Bears get the Kittens before they realize what they have in the new team.
BYE
@ Atl -- After a week of rest they are back for a grudge match and vengeance for the win they let escaped them last year.
@ Cin --- W, why would they lose? Seriously?
Cle-- W Shambles of a team that could be only going down from here.
Ari-- L, I just think they are even stronger this year
@ SF-- W, they are dealing with what the bears had to deal with for so long...No true answer at QB.
Phi-- W, only cuz it will be at home
@ Min-- L, until we find a way to stop AP in Minny
Stl--- W, they are truly rebuilding
GB-- L, just hard to think you guys havent improved.
@ Bal-- W, this team is not as talented as one thinks.
Min-- W, at home the Bears would be ready for a rival game that may decide position in the playoffs.
@ Det-- W, if Bears are resting players then this will be a loss.

[Dabaddestbear]

Let them hype the Bears. They deserve the additional pressure having gambled away so many picks this year.

They gave up two picks over 3 years. Yep thats really a whole lot.

The Bears gave up three picks in two years: first rounders in 2009 and 2010, and a third 2009. They also got back a five from Denver in 2009. Given how the Bears first round picks have turned out lately, you could argue they didn't lose very much in giving those picks to Denver.

They also gave up Orton, who at the very least looks like a reliable backup. Bear fans are in full spin mode on this deal. It's like my wives when they go to the store and come back with a truckload of crap - and tell me how much money I "saved".

I didnt know you were a polygamist? Must be nice.

[Dabaddestbear]

I really don't get the Bears at #4. Sure they got Cutler but they still have poor WRs and an OL that isn't that great. I think the defense is fairly overrated and no way they are a 12 win team.

Umm, their offensive line was better than the Packers last year. And they improved that. And who knows how poor the WR's will be since their will be new starters outside of Hester.

Umm, no they weren't.

Per Football Outsiders:
Run blocking - Chi 24th, GB 18th
Pass blocking - Chi 11th, GB 14th

I dare say that overall, the GB OL was better than the Bears last year.

As far as WRs go, they have some of the poorest in the NFL.

Um, did you look up false starts, and how many times the O-line virtually cost you guys the game because of them?

[cpk1994]

2004 - 1-1
2005 - 0-2
2006 - 1-1
2007 - 0-2
2008 - 1-1

record past 5 years: 3-7

Recent history shows the Bears have played us very tough. It has nothing to do with Rodgers or Cutler or anything like that. One field goal away... woulda shoulda coulda.. almost only counts in horseshoes my friend. You lose games that you almost win.

I think they'll split, like I said. So cut the BS and thinking you can read people's minds.

Well, you are the one who said the Bears only had 5 games that were tough, and neither game against the Packers was listed.

The Packers whopped the Bears ass 34-3 last year in game one. That's playing tough? The Bears were handed game two. The Packers were han dling them until until McCarthy's brain went dead.

Packers have handled Cuteler bnefore and he had better recievers then and the Packers had the liability knwon as ABob Sanders running the defense. I don't see the Beras anything more than they were last year, even with Cutler because Cutler is overated imo. Your mancrush on Cutler is almost making you a Bears homer.

[Scott Campbell]

Let them hype the Bears. They deserve the additional pressure having gambled away so many picks this year.

They gave up two picks over 3 years. Yep thats really a whole lot.

The Bears gave up three picks in two years: first rounders in 2009 and 2010, and a third 2009. They also got back a five from Denver in 2009. Given how the Bears first round picks have turned out lately, you could argue they didn't lose very much in giving those picks to Denver.

They also gave up Orton, who at the very least looks like a reliable backup. Bear fans are in full spin mode on this deal. It's like my wives when they go to the store and come back with a truckload of crap - and tell me how much money I "saved".

I didnt know you were a polygamist? Must be nice.

In theory - you'd think so.

[Lurker64]

I personally see the three way race in the NFC North as being very competitive. Anybody could take it. It'll probably come down to who stays healthy and who gets hot at the right time, though the Vikes might be in trouble if they have to play the first four without the Williamses.

I don't think there's a clear favorite at this point.

[Dabaddestbear]

2004 - 1-1
2005 - 0-2
2006 - 1-1
2007 - 0-2
2008 - 1-1

record past 5 years: 3-7

Recent history shows the Bears have played us very tough. It has nothing to do with Rodgers or Cutler or anything like that. One field goal away... woulda shoulda coulda.. almost only counts in horseshoes my friend. You lose games that you almost win.

I think they'll split, like I said. So cut the BS and thinking you can read people's minds.

Well, you are the one who said the Bears only had 5 games that were tough, and neither game against the Packers was listed.

The Packers whopped the Bears ass 34-3 last year in game one. That's playing tough? The Bears were handed game two. The Packers were han dling them until until McCarthy's brain went dead.

Packers have handled Cuteler bnefore and he had better recievers then and the Packers had the liability knwon as ABob Sanders running the defense. I don't see the Beras anything more than they were last year, even with Cutler because Cutler is overated imo. Your mancrush on Cutler is almost making you a Bears homer.

I just have to say that why is it WHENEVER the Bears win against the Pack its because of what the Packers didnt do rather than what the Bears did?
I give credit where credit is due. I can just say that that the Bears didnt show up for that blowout game and didnt feel like playing, thats the only reason why they lost, but that would sound just as stupid as always making excuses when the Bears beat the Packers.

[Partial]

Where is the homerism? I posted a cold hard fact with their recent record. It's undeniable the Packers have struggled against the Bears in recent years.

Even when our team was spectacular and went to the championship game, 2 of our 3 losses were to the Bears.

Like I said, they'll probably split.

[wist43]

King tends to get caught up in hyperbole... Bears trade for Cutler, e.g. they must be SB contenders.

Don't think he really knows much about the game.

[Tyrone Bigguns]

I really don't get the Bears at #4. Sure they got Cutler but they still have poor WRs and an OL that isn't that great. I think the defense is fairly overrated and no way they are a 12 win team.

Umm, their offensive line was better than the Packers last year. And they improved that. And who knows how poor the WR's will be since their will be new starters outside of Hester.

Umm, no they weren't.

Per Football Outsiders:
Run blocking - Chi 24th, GB 18th
Pass blocking - Chi 11th, GB 14th

I dare say that overall, the GB OL was better than the Bears last year.

As far as WRs go, they have some of the poorest in the NFL.

Um, did you look up false starts, and how many times the O-line virtually cost you guys the game because of them?

Why dont' you provide them to us. This should be good.

[Scott Campbell]

I give credit where credit is due.

Then I'd like credit for 3 Lombardi Trophies, 12 world titles, and a general concession that the Packers have the superior NFL franchise.

[cpk1994]

Where is the homerism? I posted a cold hard fact with their recent record. It's undeniable the Packers have struggled against the Bears in recent years.

Even when our team was spectacular and went to the championship game, 2 of our 3 losses were to the Bears.

Like I said, they'll probably split.

Except last year. Based on that, since that is ARod's results against them, I think the Packers will sweep. Cutler or no Cutler.