Things “Joestradamus” has in common with the Chicago Bears: we’re both 2-0.
According to my prediction this week, we should both have no problems making it 3-0.
Follow paulmbanksChicago Bears Predictions: Week Two
September 15, 2013 By Leave a Comment
(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
‘Joestradmaus’ still has the magic touch. The Bengals put up three more points than I predicted, but cut a guy a break; at the end of the day, the Bears still won.
Charles Tillman and the gang managed to corral the one-man wrecking crew known as A.J. Green before things got too far out of hand, and the offense showed some promising signs as they dug out of a late double-digit deficit to start the Trestman Era on the right foot.
But this week’s contest against the Minnesota Vikings doesn’t just feature a one-man wrecking crew, it features a deity cleverly disguised as a human who snacks on Bears defensive play calls as if they were Jolly Ranchers.
This week, I’ll tell you why ‘Purple Jesus’ Adrian Peterson will continue his reign of terror at Soldier Field, and why the Bears will still come out winners in the end.
Follow paulmbanksChicago Bears Predictions: Week One
September 8, 2013 By Leave a Comment
It’s that time of year again, folks; time for “Joestradamus” to bust out the crystal ball and make Chicago Bears predictions for 2013.
Remind me to have my legal people to look into getting “Joestradamus” trademarked, I think I’m onto something here.
Last year in my prediction series, I correctly called the first eight Chicago Bears predictions en route to a 7-1 start. Things got a bit sketchy in the third quarter when I called for three more victories while the Bears were only able to eek out one.
Let’s also not mention that I never predicted the final four games of the season…
But fear not! I’ve been inspired by the news of J’Marcus Webb signing with the Vikings to find my prime predicting form from the first half of last season.
Without further ado, I give you my first installment of my annual foray into clairvoyance.
Follow paulmbanksChicago Bears Full Offseason Recap Part 4: Overall
May 30, 2013 By Leave a Comment
The offseason in Chicago usually leaves fans cringing and complaining about what the team did (or didn’t do) to “get better”. This offseason, however, has set the Chicago Bears up to take a huge leap forward this season and for many to come.
Part 3: NFL Draft
Follow paulmbanksLet the battle for the NFC North between the Packers and Bears begin
December 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment
This article could start out about how the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears take part in the NFL’s oldest rivalry, blah blah blah, but let’s not get too cliche.
For the most part, today’s players could care less about the league’s historic rivalries. As long as a pay-check is being deposited into their bank accounts, playing resumes as usual.
With that said, the Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall steered away from the norm by trash-talking the Packers and essentially making it known that this game is an important one.
Follow paulmbanksIt’s Deja Vu All Over Again for the Chicago Bears
December 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Injuries have played a role in the Bears recent struggles. But this version of the Bears yearly collapse has many other factors.
One way or another, the Bears always seem to find a way to fall short of their potential. Whether it be injuries, play calling, personnel, or Father Time, every aspect seems to make a yearly appearance at one point or another and derail the season.
This season has been no different. It is actually one of the most drastic “tale of two seasons” stories I’ve ever witnessed. Even though the Bears struggled mightily and finished the season 1-5 last year, the 1-4 stretch they are going through right now seems much worse.
Follow paulmbanksSunday Has Become a Must Win Game for the Bears
November 24, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Chilo Rachal has waved goodbye to the Bears, should we be waving goodbye to the Bears season?
It was all going according to plan just 20 short days ago. The Bears held a 7-1 record, tops in the NFC North by a long shot, and were coming off of an astounding display of dominance over the Tennessee Titans. The defense was being praised by the national media as one of the elite units in the league, and the offense was slowly but surly rounding into form.
Or so we thought. Fast forward about 3 weeks.
If you didn’t know any better and you saw the way most Bears fans have been hanging their heads lately, you’d assume the Bears would have a record worthy of a basement dwelling position in their division.
That’s obviously not the case, as the Bears stand at 7-3 and still hold a share of the NFC North lead with the Green Bay Packers. But with the injury bug biting harder than usual, and with the offense in complete disarray, the fate of the Bears season may very well rest in the outcome of their matchup with the Minnesota Vikings this Sunday.
Follow paulmbanksComparing Then and Now: 2006 Chicago Bears Vs. 2012 Chicago Bears
October 25, 2012 By Leave a Comment
With win number 5 in the books after Monday night, the Bears are enjoying an early 1.5 game lead on the rest of the NFC North through 6 games this season. Fortunately for us Bears fans, we don’t have to go too far back in our memories to find the last time the Bears started out this hot.
Flashback to 2006: the Bears steamrolled through their first 6 opponents to a 6-0 record and actually ended up winning 7 straight before dropping their first game of the season against the Miami Dolphins in week 9 (I’d say the Dolphins have ruined their fair share of Bear’s perfection over the past few decades).
There are clear similarities between the 2006 team and the 2012 team, the most glaring of which is their suffocating defense. But it’s the differences between these two teams that may surprise you.
And if the numbers hold true, this year’s team may actually go farther than the team that won the NFC Title in ’06.
Follow paulmbanksChicago Bears Season Outlook: 3rd Quarter
October 17, 2012 By 1 Comment
With a 4-1 record, it’s been all smiles for the Bears so far. Can they keep it up through the 3rd quarter of games this season?
The Bears have taken full advantage of facing the weakest strength of schedule in team history over the first 5 games of the season. They’ve rode their dominating defense to a 4-1 record and now stand alone at the top of the NFC North after the Minnesota Vikings fell to the Washington Redskins this past weekend.
In my first 2 installments of “Quarter Previews” (1, 2), I correctly predicted the Bears would be 4-1 through the bye week. The next 3 games remaining in the 2nd quarter of the season remain to be seen, but the Lions, Panthers, and Titans aren’t striking much fear in me.
I have the Bears heading into the 3rd quarter with a 7-1 or 6-2 record. In either scenario, 6+ wins will likely be enough to have the NFC North lead at the midway point of the season.
But no matter how good the Bears play over the rest of the first half of the season, the 3rd quarter will prove to be their toughest test. The Houston Texans,San Francisco 49ers, and Seattle Seahawks all rank in the top 6 in the NFL in overall defense, and the Viking’s Adrian Peterson loves to feast on the Bears.
But with 3 of these 4 games coming at home, I think the Bears have a few tricks up their sleeve that may lead to a surprise in the standings when the 3rd quarter is said and done.
Follow paulmbanksGreen Bay Packers drop season-opener to the 49ers (Rapid Reaction)
September 9, 2012 By 1 Comment
Bad reffing aside, the Green Bay Packers’ defense had no answers for the San Francisco 49ers who went into Lambeau Field and pulled out a 30-22 win.
Aaron Rodgers wasn’t horrible, but he also wasn’t his MVP-self with a costly interception in the fourth quarter with the game on the line.
Follow paulmbanksMinnesota Vikings’ Draft Needs
April 22, 2012 By 1 Comment
The Minnesota Vikings had a very disappointing 2011 season, finishing 3-13 and last place in the NFC North. Their poor performance landed them the 3rd overall pick in the 2012 draft. They have a lot of needs to fill before the 2012 season starts. Let’s see where the Vikings need help the most. [Read more…]
Follow paulmbanksNFL Free Agent Running Back Options for the Detroit Lions
October 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Jahvid Best’s fragile health and the recent proposed trade for Ronnie Brown have made me start to wonder what the realistic options are for Detroit at running back. Matthew Stafford can resort to short passes to substitute for the run, but it would benefit him and the team if he was able to take a breather on occasion. The ability to hand the ball off now and again is a necessity when the team is ahead, after a play when he is pressured or sacked, and when he is not at one hundred percent.
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