Jay Cutler has buoyed the hopes of Bears fans everywhere, but somebody’s gotta be the voice of reason around here. That’s where I come in. Now that the Bears’ 2009 schedule is official, I’ve carefully weighed the Cutler effect and am ready to share with you my sneak peek of the upcoming season. Here now, my picks — er — predictions.
Bears at Green Bay
7:20 Sept. 13, NBC
Lovie Smith and the Bears feel right at home at Lambeau Field. They’ll be homesick this time. Whizzer’s view: Packers 27, Bears 17
Bears vs. Pittsburgh
3:15 p.m. Sept. 20, CBS
Not even home cookin’ will help stop Ben Roethlisberger (right) and the defending champs. Steelers 24, Bears 20
Bears at Seattle
3:05 p.m. Sept. 27, FOX
The Seahawks used to be a force. Now? See Hawks lose. See Hawks flop. See Hawks crash.
Bears 31, Seahawks 12
Bears vs. Detroit
Noon Oct. 4, FOX
After an 0-16 season, the Lions have to be better, right? Not necessarily.
Bears 37, Lions 7
Bears at Atlanta
7:20 p.m. Oct. 18, NBC
Matt Ryan has the Falcons flying higher than Michael Vick ever did.
Falcons 33, Bears 19
Bears at Cincinnati
Noon Oct. 25, FOX
Ex-Bears Tank Johnson, Cedric Benson (right) and J.T. O’Sullivan welcome former teammates. By welcome, we mean roll over and die.
Bears 42, Bengals 28
Bears vs. Cleveland Noon Nov. 1, CBS
The Brady Quinn era might finally arrive in Cleveland. Unfortunately, the losing era has firmly taken root.
Bears 19, Browns 16
Bears vs. Arizona Noon Nov. 8, FOX
Who cares that the Bears didn’t get Kurt Warner (left)? We got Cutler, who is a cut above. Groan.
Bears 29, Cardinals 28
Bears at San Francisco
7:20 p.m. Nov. 12 (Thursday), NFL Network
I hear the bay is beautiful this time of year. The 49ers’ football, not so much.
Bears 37, 49ers 24
Bears vs. Philadelphia
7:20 p.m. Nov. 22, NBC
Donovan McNabb and the Eagles surprised a lot of people last season. This one will be a surprise too.
Eagles 23, Bears 21
Bears at Minnesota
Noon Nov. 29, FOX
The Bears have had no answer for Vikings running back Adrian Peterson. Maybe he’s asking the wrong questions.
Vikings 27, Bears 14
Bears vs. St. Louis
Noon Dec. 6, FOX
The Rams are getting old. The Bears D is getting older. But not that old.
Bears 21, Rams 16
Bears vs. Green Bay
Noon Dec. 13, FOX
The Packers D is as porous as Swiss cheese. Matt Forte should run right through those holes.
Bears 30, Packers 20
Bears at Baltimore
Noon Dec. 20, FOX
The Ravens defense has been nasty for years. Not even Cutler is armed well enough to deal with them.
Ravens 27, Bears 20
Bears at Detroit Noon Jan. 3, FOX
There’s no bailout here. Cutler will cut up the Lions, throwing four TDs. That’s touchdowns. Bears 34, Lions 10
Bears vs. Minnesota
7:30 p.m. Dec. 28 (Monday), ESPN
Yo, Adrian, you still own the Bears.
Vikings 27, Bears 24
