Chicago Bears: Worst-To-First Odds Better Than Expected

People continue to slam the Chicago Bears for being bad, but they do so like it’s somehow news to Bears fans. They already know this.

After all they’re the ones who had to suffer through the past three years where it’s been just 14 wins in 48 games. What can the experts say that they haven’t lived? Nothing. Expectations among most this year is another of rebuilding. It’s not a quick process going from the oldest team in the league to one of the youngest. There are growing pains involved, especially when it involves a total overhaul of the quarterback position.

Current expectations are for somewhere between a 5-11 and 7-9 season. Maybe not the quantum leap some are hoping for but acceptable provided Mitch Trubisky is starting by the end of the year. It’s all about the future right now. That being said, is there any realistic chance this team can come together faster than expected? Maybe even go worst-to-first?

It’s not like they haven’t done it before. In 2001 they went from 5-11 to 13-3. One could argue that Bears team was worse than this one from a pure talent perspective. Is it really so impossible? Not according to ESPN.

Bears face better odds than 2016 for claiming NFC North

"“Odds of winning division: 16.4 percent (3rd in division)Odds of making playoffs: 27.6 percent (22nd in NFL)…Only three teams have lost more games than Chicago the past two seasons. Is there reason to believe this year will be any different?Better health would help, and the Bears almost can’t help but be healthier in 2017. Our adjusted games lost records go back to 2002, and in those 15 years no team has suffered more injuries than last year’s Bears. Chicago was tops in the league in injuries on defense, and second on offense. Only three Bears started 16 games last season. The reigning conference champs had five 16-game starters on the offensive line alone.”"

Those odds actually aren’t that bad. Though the Bears ranked as the fourth-worst team overall on the list, their 16.4% odds of winning the division was considerably better than the 8.2% of the next team on it. Perhaps a reflection that some experts believe this is a better team than they’re being given credit for. Of course there is plenty of proving to do before that sort of respect is earned. One hopes this young Bears team is prepared for the challenge.