Expectations are low, so Bears figure to thrive

Few teams disappoint you quite like the Bears.

After an encouraging performance in a 23- 17 loss to the defending NFC champion Falcons in the season opener, they laid an egg in a 29- 7 loss to the Buccaneers in Tampa. After a convincing victory over the Steelers in Week 3, they crapped out against the Packers in a 35- 14 loss at Lambeau Field. After two victories and a close loss to the Saints in the Superdome, they came off the bye week feeling like a potential contender and lost to the Packers, who had Brett Hundley at quarterback, last week at home.

That’s been the Bears’ M. O. for years, but especially under John Fox. The Bears are 0- 6 straight- up and against the spread when they are favored in three seasons under Fox. On the other hand ... While the Bears rarely are worse than when you expect their best, they rarely are better than when you expect their worst.

These Bears don’t have near the us- against- the- world mentality that often fueled the Lovie Smith teams. But they often respond when expectations are lowest. After starting 0- 3 and losing 26- 0 to the Seahawks with Jimmy Clausen in 2015, they beat the Raiders as three- point dogs at home. After getting thrashed by the Vikings 3817, they beat the Bucs on the road.

Last year, after the Cowboys ran over them in a 31- 17 loss at AT& T Stadium, the Bears beat the Lions at Soldier Field. And this season, after that discouraging loss to the Buccaneers in Week 2, they beat the Steelers 23- 17 at home.

So after a disillusioning loss to the Packers that put Fox on the hot seat and has fans thinking the worst, you can see this one coming a mile away.

Pick: Bears 27, Lions 20.