Dallas Cowboys among 5 sleeper teams to watch for in 2014
4. Chicago Bears:
Had the Bears managed to prevent this 4th-and-8, 48-yard touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers to Randall Cobb in the final minute of their Week 17 matchup with the Packers, they would have won the NFC North and hosted a playoff game last season. They were this close.
Of course, the division race was so tight mostly because Rodgers missed half the season with a broken collarbone and the Packers struggled without him. So, for the Bears to make the playoffs this year, they’ll likely need to do it as a Wild Card — no easy task, especially in the NFC.
But, if you’re Chicago, there are reasons to feel encouraged:
- Of their seven losses suffered in 2013, six of them were one-possession games.
- After finishing 30th in total yards allowed last season, the Bears acquired defensive ends Lamaar Houston and Jared Allen and spent each of their first four picks in the 2014 NFL Draft on defensive players.
- Chicago still does have the best wide receiver duo — one that consists of Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery — in the league, and Matt Forte is only 28 years old and improving by the season.
- Last month, Bears quarterback coach Matt Cavanaugh told CSN Chicago that he’s “seen incredible progress” in Cutler.
Bottom line: We know the Bears’ offense — which finished eighth overall in 2013 — will perform and will probably be even better than last season. If the defense shows even slight improvement, it could spell postseason for Chicago in 2014.