NFL: Forecasting the NFC North

Chicago Bears: 10-6

Things were turned around for the Bears last season. Normally, they have one of the best defenses in the NFL, and keep the opponents from scoring. Their offense is usually pedestrian, and even when they have a short field, they have to struggle for any points they get.

Well, last season, the Bears had the number two scoring offense in the NFL, behind only the record-setting Denver Broncos. Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery and Martellus Bennett are all large targets for Jay Cutler (or Josh McCown when Cutler went down). Add the undervalued but excellent Matt Forte, and this was one high-octane offense.

The defense, however, had more holes in it than Swiss cheese. Injuries and depth problems hit them in a big way. Almost every unit on the defense got hit. Henry Melton and Nate Collins missed most of the season on the defensive line. So did linebacker Lance Briggs and cornerback Charles Tillman.

The only area that really was not hit with the injury bug was at safety. The problem, though, was that out of all the safeties in the NFL, two of them that were right at the bottom were both starters for the Bears. That did not work out for them.

The Bears went out and revamped the defense. Julius Peppers and his huge contract were cut, and in came in Allen from Minnesota. They also added Lamarr Houston and Willie Young through free agency, and Ego Ferguson and Will Sutton through the draft. In fact, the Bears spent their first three picks on defense, picking cornerback Kyle Fuller with their first pick.

The Bears also picked up Ryan Mundy and Danny McCray to help out at safety.

We don’t know how these changes will turn out for the Bears, but if the Bears defense fails again, it won’t be because of lack of trying.

On offense, the Bears bring back all eleven starters. Having a year of coach Marc Trestman’s system, things should go even smoother than last year.

The key of course, will be Cutler. Much like Stafford, Cutler has a tremendous arm, but he has not been able to put things together. He finally has a good line to go with all the weapons mentioned, and now you also add Super Bowl hero Santonio Holmes into the mix. It could be now or never for Cutler. If he gets it together and stays healthy, he could get some NFL MVP votes. Yes, I said Jay Cutler.

If the defense can play just decent football, expect big things from the Bears.