For everyone completely writing off the Bears' chances to make the playoffs, tell me this -- are you absolutely convinced that the Bears can't beat out the Lions and Vikings? Let's assume you're not, which would be the correct answer since neither of those teams is that good. Now, GB is the class of the division, but let's remember that they did not have a single major injury the entire regular season in 2014. I believe their entire OL played together every snap other than week 1. And did Rodgers, Lacy, Nelson, or Cobb miss a game? I don't think so. On defense, didn't Peppers, Daniels, the secondary, and Matthews all play every game? That type of injury luck is unheard of and will revert to the mean. So 12-4 while perfectly healthy could certainly wind up as 10-6 or even 9-7 with some bad injury luck (which every team typically faces).
I am not saying the Bears WILL make the playoffs, but this is a very good coaching staff and last year's staff might have been one of the worst coaching staffs of all time. Don't underestimate the difference the jump from Trestman/Tucker/Kromer to Fox/Fangio/Gase can make. I think we might even find that some of these supposedly bad players aren't quite as bad as we thought when there is proper leadership and coaching in place. It would't shock me in the least if several players turn out much better than we thought possible. Candidates include:
Christian Jones - showed some promise, constantly out of position, can that be corrected?
Bostic- Expecting the new staff to see what I see, put him out to pasture, he sucks.
Vereen- Ah yes, last years homer rookie phenom prediction. His only contribution was apparently giving Jones and Fuller coverage tips.
Fuller- Liked the pick then, still like it now, hoping for dramatic and more consistent play improvement immediately.
Mason Fosters- The beer sucks, and so does Mason.
Ferguson- If he's still on the roster in 2 years, I will be shocked.
Houston- Still have some hopes for him.