2013 Chicago Bears Preview

2013 Chicago Bears

The 2012 Chicago Bears, if you remember, was a team that I was very excited about. I picked them to win the NFC North, and to make the NFC Championship Game. I correctly called a monster season by Brandon Marshall, and the defense was as ferocious as ever. They shot out of the gate to a 7-1 start, and looked like true Super Bowl contenders halfway through the season. Then they promptly lost five out of their next six  games, and although they still won ten contests last year, the Bears fell short of the playoffs. Lovie Smith was fired for Marc Trestman, former Canadian Football League offensive guru. Some believe that with better scoring ability, Chicago will be a new and improved threat in the NFC. Matt Forte so far has looked like a force of nature, and the weapons surrounding Jay Cutler have never been better. Alshon Jeffery looks like a major breakout candidate with his huge frame, and tight end Martellus Bennett will create a receiving threat in the middle of the field. Marshall, obviously, is still the go-to man in the passing game, and should still catch about 100 balls this season. Although Brian Urlacher has retired, the Bears’ historically vaunted D is still dangerous, and can create a turnover on literally any play. Charles “Peanut” Tillman, Lance Briggs, and Julius Peppers will make sure that the defense does not yield. However, it looked like this team was for real last preseason as well, and they found a way to let us down. This is the time for Jay Cutler to show us who he is; in an age where franchise quarterbacks are getting huge extensions for proving themselves, Cutler is playing for a new contract this year. There are no more excuses for him, as he has a healthy cast of weapons, and now has an offensive coach to utilize their talents. Chicago will absolutely compete again, but with the rise of Minnesota last year and the possible roaring back of the Lions this year (see what I did there?), can the Bears stay afloat in their own division?

Schedule

Week 1: W vs CIN

Week 2: L vs MIN

Week 3: W at PIT

Week 4: L at DET

Week 5: W vs NO

Week 6: L vs NYG

Week 7: W at WAS

Week 8: Bye

Week 9: L at GB

Week 10: W vs DET

Week 11: L vs BAL

Week 12: L at STL

Week 13: W at MIN
Week 14: W vs DAL

Week 15: L at CLE

Week 16: W at PHI

Week 17: L vs GB

Like the Washington Redskins, I think the Bears will be a little bit of a disappointment this season. Like the Washington Redskins, I think the Bears will finish at 8-8. They face an extremely physical schedule, as in addition to their own division, they play the AFC North, the NFC East, and the underrated St. Louis Rams (they play the Saints, too, but they are about as physical as a teddy bear). Could the Bears break out, win the North, and make a playoff run? Absolutely. I don’t have it in the cards, but I do think that they have a lower floor and higher ceiling than other second-tier teams. If in fact Chicago does falter, I still don’t think they finish below seven wins.

Bold Prediction: Jay Cutler will throw for 3,500 yards and 25 TDs, but also lead the league in INTs with 17. Unless Geno Smith plays 16 games for the Jets, in which case Smith will throw 21.