(670 The Score) Let’s be honest: Judging off recent history, the schedule and Vegas’ lines, the most likely outcome for the Bears in the 2021 season is that they play slightly below .500 football (there are 17 regular-season games now, so they can’t finish their trademarked 8-8 any longer) while enduring ups and downs and seeing rookie quarterback Justin Fields flash his lofty potential when he takes over the starting job at a still-undetermined time.
Of course, what’s the fun in that? One of the best parts of sports is the unexpected, so with that in mind, we asked on our crew to share some bold predictions for the Bears in the 2021 season.
Chris Emma: Bears will run for 2,000 yards this season
OK, hear me out on this one. First of all, this pick is predicated on Fields playing more than eight games -- and bolstering the team's rushing totals -- which I think will happen. But more so, I really believe coach Matt Nagy is actually committed to the run this season. He has great faith in starting David Montgomery, the Bears added Damien Williams as a complement and Nagy knows that regardless of who's at quarterback, the running game must be prevalent. The Bears rushed for 1,647 yards in 2020, when 10 teams surpassed the 2,000-yard mark on the ground.
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Cam Ellis: Eddie Jackson gets back into All-Pro conversation
I’m not sure that the Bears defense is going to rebound to 2018 levels – or even repeat 2020 levels, to be honest – this season. What I do know is that the main core of that unit loved playing in Vic Fangio’s scheme significantly more than they did Chuck Pagano’s. Everyone loves new coordinators before any games are played, but you can feel a tangible excitement when defensive players talk about what Sean Desai’s doing so far. Desai knows Jackson about as well as any coach on staff does, which is obviously good news for a player who *whispers* no longer feels like a lock to fully play out his five-year extension in Chicago. A few nationally televised touchdowns (shoutout Kirk Cousins) help Jackson get back into the All-Pro conversation.
Herb Lawrence: Allen Robinson will lead the league in receiving yards
Robinson had 1,250 receiving yards in 2020, which ranked ninth in the NFL. Bills receiver Stefon Diggs led the NFL with 1,535 receiving yards last season.
David Haugh: Outside linebacker Trevis Gipson will finish 2021 with more sacks than Robert Quinn, the $70-million man
Now in his second NFL season, Gipson had a strong preseason and will build off that. Quinn is currently dealing with a back ailment and is coming off a season in which he had two sacks in 15 games.
Adam Studzinski: Andy Dalton wins the Offensive Player of the Year award
You have to admit: It would be hilarious to watch our Danny Parkins lose his mind every week.