NFC North Preview: Chicago Bears

Vikings, then Lions, then Bears, Oh My!

By MaChez, TSZ Expert

Chicago Bears - Over/Under 8.5 Wins

2012: 10-6, 3^rd in the NFC North 

Even though the Bears finished 10-6 in 2012, GM Phil Emery decided to can longtime head coach Lovie Smith in exchange for CFL coach Marc "with a C" Trestman, who becomes the only Jewish head coach in the league. Although this is Trestman's first time as an NFL head coach, as an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in the NFL between 1987-2004, almost every QB/offense he worked with set a record, led the league, or won some award that season.  With Trestman at the reigns and the incentive of free agency waiting for him at the end of the season, I see Jay Cutler having a career year on the field.  Not so much off the field.

In an effort to keep Cutler alive, Chicago revamped their terrible OL, signing ex-Saints LT, Jermon Bushrod, and moving J'Marcus Webb to the right side.  2011 first-round bust (and my senior capstone partner at Wisconsin - name drop!), guard Gabe Carimi was shipped to Tampa Bay and replaced with ex-Jet, Matt Slauson, and this year’s first-rounder, Kyle Long.  Big improvement.

The Bears also may finally have a receiving corps.  In his first year with the Bears last season, Jay's BFF, Brandon Marshall put up monster numbers and should do so again.  Complementing him is second-year wide receiver Alshon Jeffery who, after working out with Marshall this off-season, should balance things out some as a legitimate #2 threat.  Seventh-round pick, Marquess Wilson, who was dropped due to character issues, could end up stealing things being a steal and the signing of ex-Giant TE Martellus Bennett is huge.  RB Matt Forte will also become a receiving threat for Cutler in Trestman’s offense and it wouldn’t surprise me if his 44 receptions in 2012 jumped into the 70's this year.

On the defensive side of things, LB Brian Urlacher became a free agent after thirteen years as the face of the franchise, and the Bears, out of respect, publicly announced they had no desire to re-sign him. Pissed off (and unable to find work elsewhere) Urlacher signed a ceremonial, one-day contract with Green Bay and retired as a Packer to "go out a winner (LINK - http://www.sportspickle.com/2013/05/brian-urlacher-retires-as-a-green-bay-packer-i-just-wanted-to-go-out-a-winner. )."

To keep up with the other cool new coaches and fill the hole left by Urlacher, Trestman signed ex-Bronco DJ Williams to create up-tempo playlists for practices and act as a stopgap between Urlacher and rookie Jon Bostic.  They also have stud Lance Briggs and highly-touted fourth-rounder, Khaseem Greene, on the outside.

Other than LB, the Bears are solid as usual on D.  They bring back both of their CBs, Peanut "Charles" Tillman and Tim Jennings who, with continued strong play from the safeties, should still be a turnover machine (44 last year) and one of the best secondaries in the league.  Perennial beast Julius Peppers is still wreaking havok on the line and DT Henry Melton should have a big year fighting for a new contract.

The Bears were a 10-6, a near-playoff team last year, and have done nothing but improve in the off-season. Cutler finally has something that resembles an offensive line and his receiving corps will benefit tremendously as a result.

Inside the division, the Bears should get four wins with a sweeps of the Vikings and the Lions.  Outside the division, their away schedule is pretty cake with WAS, STL, CLE, and PHI – PITT is the only team they face on the road that is expected to do better than them. They're fortunate to have the rest of their "tough" matchups at home (CIN, NO, NYG, BAL, DAL), and should come away with no more than four losses outside the division.

Yes, the first half of the schedule is difficult (four of those six tough match-ups), and could lead to a sub -.500 start. The second half, however, will be a breeze. If Trestman and Cutler are clicking, I wouldn't be surprised to see them rocking a six (if not eight) game win streak in to the post-season.  I see the Bears as a 10-6 team again, good for 2^nd in the division (and possibly the playoffs), and recommend betting Over 8.5 Wins.

NFC North Team Breakdowns: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, or Final Standings