Chicago Bears 2011 Season Odds
(The Spread) – Despite reaching the NFC Championship Game last year, nobody is talking about the Chicago Bears right now.
Oddsmakers view the Bears as long shots to win the 2012 Super Bowl, listing their current odds at 25/1. They’re also 14/1 mid-range long shots to win the NFC and despite winning the division last season, Chicago (+500) is listed behind Green Bay (-220) and Detroit (+450) to win the NFC North.
Perhaps one of the reasons that oddsmakers aren’t showing faith in the Bears is because their offensive line figures to be an issue again this season. The Bears did invest a first round pick on Wisconsin offensive tackle Gabe Carimi in this year’s NFL draft, but the team gave up nine sacks in its preseason debut against Buffalo a couple of weeks ago. There is some major concern about whether or not guys like Carimi and J’Marcus Webb can keep quarterback Jay Cutler upright in 2011.
The Bears did add some intriguing talent this offseason, coming to terms with former top-10 picks Vernon Gholston (Jets) and Amobi Okoye (Texans). They also signed former Dallas receiver Roy Williams to a contract and re-signed Anthony Adams and Nick Roach to new deals.
Of course, if the Bears seriously believe that Williams will boost their receiving corps, they’ll be sadly mistaken. He has already surpassed Johnny Knox on the depth chart, which is an absolute joke when you consider Knox was the Bears’ most productive receiver last season. With the amount of issues the Bears could have on their offensive line, this team could struggle in 2011. Despite the fact that they played in the NFC Championship Game last year, the odds are certainly set right for this team hading into the season.
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