2011 NFL Preview: Can the Chicago Bears Repeat as NFC North Champions?

June 24, 2011   ·   Nicholas Fisch   ·   Jump to comments

Last year at this time, the Bears weren't given any chance by the media in winning the NFC North. It was supposed to be the Vikings division to lose, with the Packers and Lions hot on their heels. Lovie Smith was supposed to be fired, and Jay Cutler and many Bears were supposed to be traded.
Right now, the Bears are in a similar position. They are behind the Super Bowl XLV Champion Green Bay Packers and have a lot of work to do when the lockout is resolved, starting with filling out their roster up to 80 for training camp and cutting it back to 53 when the season starts.
Repeating in any sport is a difficult task. The Bears have on their side the fact that only four of the last ten NFC Champions have made the playoffs in the following season, so Green Bay has their work cut for them too.
Another thing the Bears have going for them is that their AFC schedule consists of the AFC West, consisting of the Chiefs, Raiders, Chargers and Broncos. It's the weakest division in the...

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