I’m so glad the Bears promoted Kyle Orton to starting quarterback this season. Now, I won’t be the only one in town with a bad neck beard. I am, however, putting my neck on the line and predicting Orton and Co.’s season. Like our beards, it ain’t pretty.
WEEK 1
Sunday @ Indianapolis, 7:15 p.m. NBC
Welcome to the regular season, Bears. We’d like you to meet Peyton Manning and the Super Bowl champs from 2007.
SCORE: L, 34-3
RECORD: 0-1
WEEK 2
Sept. 14 @ Carolina, noon Fox
QB Jake Delhomme is injured about as often as Rex Grossman. Too bad it’s only Week 2. He’ll be healthy. Bears won’t.
SCORE: L, 23-17
RECORD: 0-2
WEEK 3
Sept. 21 vs. Tampa Bay, noon Fox
Finally, a home game. Too bad it pits one of the league’s better D’s against Orton.
SCORE: L, 19-17
RECORD: 0-3
WEEK 4
Sept. 28 vs. Philadelphia, 7:15 p.m. NBC
The Eagles are pretty much Donovan McNabb, Brian Westbrook and a bunch of CFL rejects. Orton should shine.
SCORE: W, 27-13
RECORD: 1-3
WEEK 5
Oct. 5 @ Detroit, noon Fox
Jon Kitna knows how to light up the Bears. Even Devin Hester can’t pull this one out.
SCORE: L, 31-14
RECORD: 1-4
WEEK 6
Oct. 12 @ Atlanta, noon Fox
The Falcons still are trying to recover from losing Michael Vick. I warned ya about messing with dogs, didn’t I?
SCORE: W, 27-20
RECORD: 2-4
WEEK 7
Oct. 19 vs. Minnesota, noon Fox
Remember when the Vikings’ Adrian Peterson ran all over the Bears last season? No? Watch this game.
SCORE: L, 30-12
RECORD: 2-5
WEEK 8
Oct. 26 — BYE
WEEK 9
Nov. 2 vs. Detroit, noon Fox
Grossman should probably be starting at QB again about now. Lions begin their fade to the playoffs.
SCORE: W, 24-10
RECORD: 3-5
WEEK 10
Nov. 9 vs. Tennessee, noon CBS
The Vince Young-led Titans surprised people a couple years ago. It’s 2008 now.
SCORE: W, 26-18
RECORD: 4-5
* WEEK 11
Nov. 16 @ Green Bay, noon Fox
No Brett Favre. No problem.
SCORE: W, 19-9
RECORD: 5-5
* WEEK 12
Nov. 23 @ St. Louis, noon Fox
The Rams were one of the worst teams in the NFL last season. But Marc Bulger is back this season. Still not enough.
SCORE: W, 23-21
RECORD: 6-5
* WEEK 13
Nov. 30 @ Minnesota, 7:15 p.m. NBC
The Vikings just might go to the Super Bowl. The Bears will not.
SCORE: L, 41-20
RECORD: 6-6
* WEEK 14
Dec. 7 vs. Jacksonville, noon CBS
The Jaguars always seem to be “this close” to winning their division. But, the Colts always close them out.
SCORE: L, 28-21
RECORD: 6-7
WEEK 15
Dec. 11 vs. New Orleans, 7:15 p.m. NFL Network
The Saints will give the Bears a Shockey at home.
SCORE: L, 17-12
RECORD: 6-8
WEEK 16
Dec. 22 vs. Green Bay, 7:30 p.m. ESPN
A Monday night Bears-Packers game without Favre is an early Xmas present for the Bears.
SCORE: W, 24-0
RECORD: 7-8
* WEEK 17
Dec. 28 @ Houston, noon Fox
The Texans aren’t the pushovers they used to be, but they still are relative pushovers.
SCORE: W, 24-3
RECORD: 8-8
*Subject to flexible scheduling
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redeyesports@tribune.com
