Windy City Gridiron picks Bears-Dolphins

The Bears have two wins in Miami since 1997. Now obviously that time is extended seeing as how the modern era has inter-conference play happen only every four years. But that’s still a black mark the Bears have routinely had against the Dolphins. As WCG historian Jack Silverstein detailed earlier this week, the Dolphins have this weird hex on the Bears.

This Sunday, of course, with the Bears the clearly better team on paper, would be the time to put an end to the mentioned curse. That is, if the Bears are a legitimate contender that puts away inferior opponents.

Here are Windy City Gridiron’s staff picks for Bears-Dolphins.

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Robert Zeglinski: Bears 28 Dolphins 13

The Dolphins have one of the worst offenses in the NFL and were paper tigers during a 3-0 start. I have no confidence in them overcoming a much more talented Bears team.

Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.: Bears 24 Dolphins 13

The Dolphins’ offensive line is struggling and the Bears front seven is not. This will also be the Jordan Howard breakout game.

Aaron Leming: Bears 27 Dolphins 17

This is a game in year’s past that the Bears would come out flat and lose. Under Matt Nagy, he’s showing many trends are going to be broken this season. I don’t think the Dolphins are a bad team. But from what I’ve seen, they are lesser than the Bears on both sides of the ball.

Jacob Infante: Bears 23 Dolphins 10

Chicago’s pass rush should have a field day against a hobbled Miami offensive line. While I don’t expect Mitchell Trubisky to light it up like he did against Tampa Bay, a solid performance should be enough to carry the Bears to 4-1.

Josh Sunderbruch: Bears 24 Dolphins 12

I think the Dolphins move the ball okay between the 20s every other drive, but their offense is hamstrung by all levels of the Bears’ defense. The offense takes a step back statistically, but shows actual progress where it matters.

Andrew Link: Bears 27 Dolphins 17

I have the Bears scoring in the first and third quarters, while holding the Dolphins to 10 points. The Dolphins will pick up a late garbage time touchdown to make the score closer than the game actually was.

Sam Householder: Bears 24 Dolphins 23

Weird things happen when the Bears play the Dolphins (1985, 2006, 2014, to kickoff the meltdown). This won’t be that, but I expect a close game with the Dolphins secondary (NFL-leading 10 interceptions) giving Trubisky fits.

Kev H: Bears 31 Dolphins 10

The Bears will give up the oft-recognized dumb early touchdown, but will then settle in and give Ryan Tannehill a rough afternoon. A big game from Trey Burton and Tarik Cohen will propel the Bears to victory. Dumb fans will say that Howard didn’t touch the ball enough.

Patti Curl: Bears 19 Dolphins 10

The Dolphins defense steps up at home and Trubisky knocks off some bye-week rust with a couple missed opportunities. It doesn’t matter because the Dolphins offensive presentation includes all the flailing flops one would expect from a Dolphin on land trying to block Khalil Mack. The Bears’ hold on the NFC North gets more comfortable.

Erik Duerrwaechter: Bears 38 Dolphins 17

The Bears are taking their talents to South Beach after coming off a bye week. The weather may be a factor with a tropical storm and hurricane headed its way to Florida.

With that said, the Bears’ defense should be more than a match for an offense that’s more gimmicky than it is effective. Plus, look for the Bears offense to hit its stride as both Howard and Trubisky have big games against a not-so-great defense.

WhiskeyRanger: Bears 24 Dolphins 10

While the Bears offense had a coming out party versus the Buccaneers two weeks ago, they likely take a small step back against a much stingier Miami defense. The Bears defense should have Tannehill constantly on the run like he’s trying to avoid Crockett and Tubbs during a drug raid. Cue the Miami Vice theme song!

Ken Mitchell: Bears 28 Dolphins 10

The Dolphins defense is absolutely legitimate, but ... that Miami offense is a hot mess. A quarterback who’s throwing more interceptions than touchdowns is not who you want leading a team against Khalil Mack and company.

I think Miami holds Chicago’s offense in check, but look for a couple of short fields on the other side as Chicago forces turnovers.

WCG Contributors: Jeff Berckes; Patti Curl; Eric Christopher Duerrwaechter; Kev H; Sam Householder; Jacob Infante; Aaron Lemming; Andrew Link; Ken Mitchell; Steven Schweickert; Jack Silverstein; EJ Snyder; Lester Wiltfong, Jr.; Robert Zeglinski; Like us on Facebook.