Chicago Bears: What You Need to Know Heading into Week 7
Published by Ross Read on October 15, 2013
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears were able to get back on track with a win over the New York Giants in Week 6. They will now focus their attention on a Washington Redskins team that’s 1-4 and spiraling out of playoff contention.
Here’s what you need to know as the Bears go into Washington.
D.J. Williams is out and Jon Bostic is in.
The defense took another major blow. The Bears lost middle linebacker D.J. Williams for the season with a torn pectoral muscle. Rookie Jon Bostic will now be the full-time starter. Bostic played the role the entire preseason and did a solid job.
Bostic will have to adjust to the speed and looks given by offenses early on. The regular season is faster and more intricate than the preseason.
Lucky for him and the team, there’s ample time between games to get adjusted.
Marc Trestman will continue to throw the football.
Trestman has confidence in his quarterback and receivers right now. He doesn’t care about the pass-to-run discrepancy and will continue to put the ball in the air.
Trestman has gained a reputation for putting the ball in the air around the goal line. It looks like that’s not going to change anytime soon. Michael Bush has only 24 rushing attempts on the season with one touchdown.
The front seven on defense has to be a concern.
Brandon Jacobs, Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush have all torched the Bears over the last three weeks. Whether it was on the ground or in the short passing game, the front seven has really struggled.
Injuries and ineffectiveness have plagued the guys up front. It won’t get any easier in Washington; Robert Griffin III is starting to show signs of running more read-option. One miscue could result in a long run that could be enough for the Redskins to win the game.
Jay Cutler continues to grow and adapt.
Cutler did have a poor performance in Detroit, but overall he is a different player this year. Against the Giants, he did a great job not forcing the issue and throwing the ball away when necessary.
Cutler looks very comfortable in the offense right now. He’s making the right reads, getting rid of the football quickly and moving his offense down the field.
His maturation continues every week, giving everybody hope he can be at an elite level in the offense at the end of the season.
Robbie Gould is the lone bright spot on special teams.
Gould is putting together an All-Pro season. He’s a perfect 10-of-10 with two field goals over 50 yards, including a career-long 58-yard kick in Week 1.
Devin Hester has been hit or miss, Adam Podlesh is getting better but is still shaky, and penalties as well as confusion have been an issue for special teams.
Gould is the only constant from a unit that looks like it misses former coach Dave Toub immensely.
Brandon Marshall feels good again.
What a difference a week, increased targets and a pair of green shoes can do. Marshall was targeted 11 times against the Giants after getting only five the week before.
He responded with nine catches and two touchdowns. His green cleats were to raise awareness for mental health week. The shoes were against league dress code, and he was fined $10,500 for wearing them.
Marshall auctioned off the shoes. The proceeds go to The Brandon Marshall Foundation.
The Bears can put themselves in a great spot going into the bye week.
When the Saints lost to the Patriots, it ended their reign as the last undefeated team in the NFC. The Seahawks are the only other team with one loss.
The Bears are still in a fight with the Lions for the division, but going 5-2 into the bye would be huge. Being able to rest and recuperate before a pivotal matchup in Green Bay.
The back half of the schedule will center around some key divisional games. If the Bears can go 6-3 during that stretch, they will likely come away with a divisional crown and playoff berth.
A better record will result in a bye week in the playoffs. And first things first is beating the lowly Redskins at FedEx Field.
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