Top Ten Chicago Bears Prop Bets for 2008

If you're anything like me, you're looking at this coming Sunday night with a mix of anticipation and dread.

On the one hand, I've been waiting months for the Bears to finally start playing again so I can revert back to my lifeless, couch potato, fantasy stat watching form on Sundays.

And on the other, let's just call it like it is:

The Bears are going to suck.

You have no idea how much it pains me to write that sentence, but it's the truth and the Colts are going to wipe the floor with us come Sunday night.

So to keep the season interesting and to give you a reason to keep watching, here are the Top Ten Bears Prop Bets available for 2008, courtesy of BoDogLife.com.

10. Greg Olsen Total Touchdowns

Over/Under: 4

My boy G-Reg became an instant fan favorite and is the only person in history to have TUP credited in his wikipedia page.

But all jokes aside, do you really think that the Bears would be utilizing a guy with his size and speed effectively if he only ends up with four TD? (And I'm not just saying that because we have the same last name)

I'm going with the over.

9. Matt Forte Total Rushing Yards

Over/Under: 875 yards

This wouldn't be a bad start to his pro career and might actually buy Jerry Angelo a little time before he's tared and feathered by angry Bears fans.

He certainly win Rookie of the Year honors with those numbers, but combined with Kevin Jones they'd most likely clear the 1,100 yard plateau.

In case you were wondering, Cedric Benson's best year with the Bears: 674 yards.

Going with the under on this one.

8. Adewale Ogunleye Total Sacks

Over/Under: 9

Hmmm. After watching this defense get shredded by the legendary J.T. O'Sullivan of the 49ers in the preseason, I have no idea what to think.

If Tommie Harris is healthy and drawing double teams up the middle, Ogunleye has a very good chance at exceeding nine sacks. But if we get a hobbled Harris and Dusty Dvoracek, he'll have a tough time getting to the quarterback.

I'm going with the under here as well folks.

7. Brian Urlacher Sacks + Interceptions Combined Total

Over/Under: 6.5

Ever since the departure of Ron Rivera this defense has turned into a unit with a whole lot of bark and not much bite.

I'd love to see Urlacher line up closer to the line kind of how Chargers LB Shawne Merriman so often does and wreak havoc in the backfield with his speed and strength. Granted Merriman has more strength than Urlacher, but Mr. Bear definitely outruns him.

But Urlacher doesn't play in that kind of scheme, has chronic back issues and has morphed into an outside linebacker playing at the middle linebacker position.

Definitely under.

6. Will Devin Hester Score More Touchdowns as a Receiver or on Special Teams?

There's somewhat of a complicated odds system that comes into play with this one so to save time let's just say that the odds point to Hester scoring more on special teams.

And this time I'll have to disagree.

It's become so commonplace to see teams do everything in their power to keep the ball away from Devin that I'm afraid he won't even get the chance. Every once in awhile a team decides to play with fire and at the risk of sounding cliched, they get absolutely torched.

Let's just hope he can run the right route this year.

5. Kyle Orton Total Passing Touchdowns

Over/Under: 14.5

Wow, the boys really have high hopes for that Bears offense this year huh?

As a rookie Orton started 15 games and threw a total of nine touchdowns. You have to assume he'll be better than that right?

Right?!?

Ugh.

Yeah, I'm really not too sure he will either but for the sake of my fanhood and sanity I'm rolling with the over.

4. Kyle Orton Total Interceptions

Over/Under: 15.5

If I had the ability to go back in time and look at prop bets for every Bears quarterback for the past 25 years, I'd have to guess that this is just about what all of them would look like.

More interceptions than touchdowns.

I'm going to go with the under here. Only because I don't think Lovie Smith would let Orton throw 15 picks before inserting the Sex Cannon back into the starting gig.

3. Chicago Bears Regular Season Wins

Over/Under: 8

If it wasn't for the fact that these odds are typically pretty close to being right year in and year out, I'd discount them as insanity.

It's tough coming to the realization that your team is the definition of an irreversible downslope.

But that's what we need to do, face facts and take it on the chin.

I'm going with the under.

2. Bears Chances of Winning the NFC North

Odds: 7/2

Not gonna happen, which brings us to our final prop bet...

1. Odds the Bears Win Super Bowl XLIII

40 to 1

Do any of you realistically believe that the Bears could win the Super Bowl?

Let's just say there's a better chance Jay Mariotti returning to the Sun-Times after taking a pay cut than there is for the Bears to win the Super Bowl.

It's going to be a long year Bears fans.

You have no idea how badly I hope that I'm wrong.

If you'd like to talk some sense into me, leave a comment.