Welcome to the first installment of "MrNFL's prediction system previews."  On these posts, we will look at an NFL team, and grade them at different positions to figure out what record each team will get.  For a full explanation on how the system works, click here.

Today's team?  The Chicago Bears.

LAST SEASON: The Bears were the one standout team in the NFC, going 13-3 with one of the leagues top defenses, before losing in the Super Bowl to the Colts.

Quarterbacks/Wide Receivers

QB's: Rex Grossman, Brian Griese, Kyle Orton, J.T. O'Sullivan
WR's: Muhsin Muhammad, Bernard Berrian, Mark Bradley, Rashied Davis, Mike Hass, Timon Marshall, Brandon Rideau

Grossman at times last year looked solid, and other times looked lost.  Ultimately, I think he'll be improved and be a good but not great QB.  Griese is a solid backup to have.  Muhammad is still a decent possession guy, but is aging and really isn't #1 WR material anymore.  Berrian I think will be improved, but still isn't better than a #2 guy.  Davis and Bradley are decent.  I really don't think I can give this group an 8 though.

QB/WR score: 7/10

HB's: Cedric Benson, Adrian Peterson, Garrett Wolfe
FB's: Jason McKie, Obafemi Ayanbadejo, Bryan Johnson
TE's: Greg Olsen, Desmond Clark, John Gilmore,

The question with the running backs is "Can Cedric Benson be 'the guy?" I'm not sure if he's ready yet.  Peterson is a decent spell back, and Wolfe is fast, but very small.  They're fine at the fullback spot.  Olsen provides a very interesting dynamic at tight end to be a great receiver.  I'm not sure he's much of a blocker, but Clark was solid last year as well.  Once again, I just can't give them an 8 here.

RB/TE score: 7/10

Offensive Line

T's: Fred Miller, John Tait, John St. Clair, Patrick Mannelly, Mark LeVoir, Aaron Brant
G's: Ruben Brown, Roberto Garza, Terrence Metcalf, Anthony Oakley, Tyler Reed, Josh Beekman

C's: Olin Kruetz

Although this group is getting old, they are still very good.  They are returning each of their starters from last year, and they missed a combined 2 starts last year.   Miller and Tait are both very good tackles.  Ruben Brown is a solid veteran.  Garza may be the weak point, but he's still a very good lineman, and Kreutz is arguably the top center in the game.  The worry is that the age will result in injuries, but I think they deserve a 10.

OL Score: 10/10
 

Defensive Line

DT's: Tommie Harris, Anthony Adams, Dusty Dvoracek, Israel Idonije, Antonio Garay
DE's: Mark Anderson, Adewale Ogunleye, Alex Brown, Daniel Bauzin, Copeland Bryan

Tommie Harris was dominant last year before injury, and at his young age, he can only improve.  Adams is a decent pickup to be the #2 guy.  Brown and Ogunleye are both very solid ends.  Brown is wanting a trade, but having Anderson, who was great pass rushing last year, they can afford to get rid of him.  Not to mention drafting Bauzin late 2nd round.  Very good group, not quite a 10, but a 9.

DL Score: 9/10

Linebackers

LB's: Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs, Hunter Hillenmeyer, Michael Okwo, Brendon Ayanbadejo, Leon Joe, Darrell McClover, Rod Wilson, Jamar Williams

Urlacher is really freaking good, no doubt there.  But where questions come are with Briggs, who doesn't seem like he's going to play.  Assuming he's gone, that leaves an interesting hole.  Hillenmeyer is fine at the other spot, but who will take over what's left?  The 3rd rounder Okwo?  That hole is a bit worrisome.  Easily a 9 with Briggs, but him not being there is makes me torn between 7 and 8.  Ultimately, too many questions for the 8..

LB score: 7/10

Defensive Backs

CB's: Charles Tillman, Nathan Vasher, Ricky Manning Jr, Devin Hester, Trumaine McBride, Corey Graham, Dante Wesley
S's: Mike Brown, Danieal Manning, Chris Harris, Adam Archuleta, Tyler Everett, Kevin Payne, Brandon McGowan

Tillman, Vasher, and Manning are a great 3 young corners to have.  I believe these guys will continue to improve as well.  The safety spot still is a bit of a question.  Mike Brown is good, but ALWAYS hurt.  Archuleta could fit in well, he's a great run stopping safety, but terrible in pass coverage.   Harris and Manning are both serviceable, but at this point I don't think they are anything that special.  However, I think they are 8 worthy.

DB Score: 8/10

Special Teams

K: Robbie Gould, Nick Novak
P: Brad Maynard, Filip Filipovic
KR: Devin Hester

Gould had a monster year last year, as one of the best kickers in the game.  Maynard is a pretty good punter, and the other two guys I think are just roster fillers.  Hester set records last year returning kicks.  This unit was a huge reason for their success last year, and I think this year it will be again.

ST Score: 10/10

Coaches

Head coach: Lovie Smith
O. Coordinator: Ron Turner
D. Coordinator: Bob Babich

Lovie Smith has proven to be one of the better head coaches in the league.  Turner is a solid offensive coordinator, and Babich is the new D coordinator, after being the linebacker coach.  Very good group overall, they get a 5.

Coach score: 5/5

RECAP
QB/WR- 7/10
RB/TE- 7/10
OL- 10/10
DL- 9/10
LB- 7/10
DB- 8/10
ST-10/10
C-5/5

Make sure and leave your rankings for the Bears.

Up next, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers