5 bold predictions for Packers, the NFC North in 2019

2. Bears will miss out on the playoffs

Just one year after winning 12 games and the NFC North title, could the Chicago Bears miss out on the playoffs? The answer is yes.

The biggest concern for the Bears is their offense. Half of their wins last season were by a touchdown or less. And many were on the back of dominant defensive performances, such as a 16-14 victory over the Cardinals, a 14-9 win against the 49ers and a 15-6 win against the Rams.

The offense needs to step up this season, and this is the area that could cost the Bears this year. Mitch Trubisky played OK, and at times very good in 2018, but he had far too many games where he didn’t play well enough.

Trubisky had his moments, such as an impressive six-touchdown performance against the Buccaneers and three-touchdown games against the Lions and Dolphins. But Trubisky also went three games with zero touchdown passes, four games with only one touchdown pass, and three games where he threw more interceptions than touchdowns. The Bears were 3-0 in those games, again highlighting the dominance of the defense.

So, what if the defense takes a slight step back? It won’t be easy to replicate last season’s average of 17.7 points per game allowed, a league-high. Especially without Vic Fangio, whose work as defensive coordinator led him to a head coach job with the Broncos. And also without starting safety Adrian Amos, who now plays for the rival Packers, and starting cornerback Bryce Callahan, who joins Fangio in Denver.

Unless Chicago’s offense steps up, they could experience a season not dissimilar to the Jaguars in 2018.