Bears Blitz

Published by Jimmy Boyd on August 15, 2011
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears managed to win the NFC North with an 11-5 mark in 2010, but they were defeated by division runner-up, and eventual Super Bowl champ, Green Bay in the NFC Championship.

The Bears came close to reaching the Super Bowl a second time in five seasons, but honestly would have been fortunate to do so considering the inconsistency of the offense.

Offense: The Chicago offensive unit finished No. 30 in the league in total offense last season with 289.4 yards per game. It ranked No. 21 in scoring with 20.9 points per contest.

Jay Cutler was better in his second season in Chicago, but the team is far from satisfied. He raised his passer rating from 76.8 to 86.3, and reduced his interceptions from 26 to 16, while throwing for 3,274 yards and 23 touchdowns. Still, the Bears ranked just 28th in the NFL in passing offense with 188.4 yards per game.

His numbers should be better in 2011 if the line can continue the progress it showed in the second half of last season.

Cutler was sacked more times (52) than any other quarterback last year, but the boys up front began to gel during a five-game winning streak that followed a Week 8 bye.

The Bears love the addition of rookie tackle Gabe Carimi, who is expected to contend for a starting job this year.

Chicago’s running game also benefited from better blocking in the second half of the season. The running attack is led by Matt Forte, who has quickly established himself as one of the best all-around backs in the NFL. He rushed for 1,069 yards and six touchdowns and caught 51 passes for 547 yards and three more scores last season.

The Bears have brought in former Pro Bowl running back Marion Barber to provide a nice change of pace.

Wide receiver Roy Williams also comes over from Dallas with hopes of having a bounce back season. Chicago has a pair of deep threats in Devin Hester and Johnny Knox. The bigger Williams provides a nice complement to them as a possession guy.

Defense: Led by Julius Peppers and Brian Urlacher, Chicago boasted one of the best stop units in the NFL last season. The defense finished No. 4 in points allowed with 17.9 per game and No. 9 in yards allowed with 314.3 per game.

Peppers recorded eight sacks and had 23 quarterback pressures despite demanding plenty of attention from opposing offenses. End Israel Idonije was one of the beneficiaries. He also recorded eight sacks, more than double his previous best.

Something had to be done on the interior of the line following the release of Tommie Harris, so the Bears made a big splash by drafting Oregon State tackle Stephen Paea.

Urlacher and Lance Briggs, who have been selected to a combined 13 Pro Bowl teams, continue to be one of the most feared linebacker duos in the NFL. Urlacher bounced back after missing nearly all of 2009 with a wrist injury to lead the team with 146 tackles. Briggs finished second on the team with 121 stops.

Eightth-year starter Charles Tillman is the anchor of the defensive backfield and one of the more underrated cornerbacks in the league. He is coming off a five-interception season.

Prediction: 2nd Place NFC North—The Bears won the division in 2010 but few would argue they are a better football team than the reigning Super Bowl champs. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is a big reason why. It’s going to take a a spectacular season from Cutler for the Bears to repeat in the North. NFL odds makers have listed the Bears at +450 to win the NFC North.

Check out my 2011 NFL predictions to see which teams I have winning the league’s eight divisions.

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