Chicago Bears' 2024 win total? Here's how fans voted

Happy Sunday, folks, but enough about that. How many games will the 2024 Bears win?

That was question No. 1 in this week’s “Polling Place,” your home for Sun-Times sports polls on the social platform X. Oh, please, like any other topic was going to top that one.

“With the offseason additions they made, it’s playoffs or bust,” @JeffreyCanalia commented.

“Seven or less,” @jenzy75 weighed in.

Next, we asked whether the Bears will be better on offense or defense.

“The offense could not have been any worse last season,” @jason_cambria wrote.

We’ll go ahead and count that as one vote for the “D.”

Finally: What’s your confidence level in Matt Eberflus and the coaching staff?

“He carries himself well, looks and acts the part,” @jaangry wrote, “especially when you see what we had for the past decade.”

But from @ChiTownSports: “I have zero confidence in the coach staff. They have to earn it.”

On to the polls:

Poll No. 1: OK, it’s that time again. Out of 17 regular-season games, how many will the Bears win?

Upshot: As you can see, anything less than eight wins would be most unexpected. Then again, have you people met Bears football?

Poll No. 2: On which side of the ball will the Bears be better this season, offense or defense?

Upshot: Chicago loves a stout, hard-hitting defense. It’s in our DNA. It’s what we’re made of. Wait, was that redundant? On the other hand, of course we love defense, considering we wouldn’t know a good offense if it kissed us on the mouth. Maybe this is the year that changes?

Poll No. 3: What’s your confidence level in Bears coach Matt Eberflus and his staff?

Upshot: Commented @_abhayshah, “I’d love to see an age breakout of those voting ‘high.’ ” Maybe it’s not that they’re young but that they just have really short memories? Anyway, “middling” wins the day, and that’s probably as it should be.