2013 Record: 8-8

2014 Las Vegas Season Win Total: 8.0

2014 Season Win Total Prediction: 'Over'

Perhaps no team in the NFL has underachieved as much as the Chicago Bears over the past four years. Chicago has parlayed 37 regular season wins during that stretch into just one playoff berth. They have been eliminated on the final weekend of the season each of the past two years and have wasted excellent first halves with disaster stretch collapses in the past several campaigns.

However, the Bears head into this season as one of the trendy picks to rise up in the NFC. Chicago's offense is coming off one of the best showings in franchise history. They have a dynamic set of skill players and the expectation is for the team to improve in the second year of Marc Trestman's systems.

Unfortunately last year's defense was one of the worst Chicago has ever endured. And the result was Chicago's opponents outscoring the Bears by 33 points on the year. Chicago's marque offseason move was signing 32-year-old defensive end Jared Allen to replace Julius Peppers. But it remains to be seen if that maneuver can make up for poor coaching and confusion over the defensive scheme.

The Bears haven't won less than seven games in nine years, so the modest eight-win total seems like a low bar to clear. However, the Bears have a horrific schedule and I can see them taking a step back this year before taking a step forward in 2015. The Bears have just two home games between Sept. 8 and Nov. 15. They play six of eight games on the road with one of the home games coming against rival Green Bay.

The Bears play five of their six divisional games following a Week 9 bye. Those games will determine if Chicago can top this total. I know the public is going to be hammering the 'over' and I expect this number to move to 8.5 before the season starts. But the schedule is an absolute beast.

Regardless, I think the Bears will be streaky this year. And when the dust settles I can see them winning four divisional games en route to nine wins on the year. I do think they'll miss the playoffs yet again but the Bears will be in the thick of things in the loaded NFC.

Bears Regular Season Schedule (All times Eastern)

Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 7, Buffalo, 1 p.m.

Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 14, at San Francisco, 8:30 p.m.

Week 3: Monday, Sept. 22, at N.Y. Jets, 8:30 p.m.

Week 4: Sunday, Sept. 28, Green Bay, 1 p.m.

Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 5, at Carolina, 1 p.m.

Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 12, at Atlanta, 1 p.m.

Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 19, Miami, 1 p.m.

Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 26, at New England, 1 p.m.

Week 9: BYE

Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 9, at Green Bay, 8:30 p.m.

Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 16, Minnesota, 1 p.m.

Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 23, Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.

Week 13: Thursday, Nov. 27, at Detroit, 12:30 p.m.

Week 14: Thursday, Dec. 4, Dallas, 8:25 p.m.

Week 15: Monday, Dec. 15, New Orleans, 8:30 p.m.

Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 21, Detroit, 1 p.m.

Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 28, at Minnesota, 1 p.m.

Robert will be releasing his 2014 NFL Futures Predictions on Thursday, Aug. 14. Last year's top two picks (8-Unit Play on Arizona 'over' 5.5 wins and 6-Unit Play on Kansas City over 7.0 wins) both won easily and he has hit his top NFL Futures Play (rated 7.0 or higher) in four straight seasons. For more information visit his Insider's Page HERE.

Robert Ferringo is one of the best NFL handicappers in the world and is coming off one of the best football betting seasons in the 43-year history of Doc's Sports. Robert banked nearly $8,000 in profit for his football clients and won a stunning 62.1 percent of his NFL plays (95-58). Robert has won over 70 percent of his last 58 NFL side plays (41-17) and has posted six of seven winning NFL seasons. He has banked $17,400 in football profit, college and pro, over the last 20 months and he is excited about building on his staggering resume. Take advantage of our free, no-strings-attached $60 credit to use toward a purchase of Robert's football selections. You cannot afford to miss out on this great offer - click here.

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