2010 NFL Predictions: Da Bears
Jay Cutler’s first season in Chicago did not go as planned. While he passed for a career-high 27 touchdown strikes, he also led the NFL with 26 interceptions. With Cutler not playing up to his Pro Bowl status, the Bears managed only seven wins.
Following last year, it was clear that the Chicago Bears needed more upgrades. So they brought in defensive end Julius Peppers and RB Chester Taylor. They also added Mike Martz and Mike Tice to the coaching staff.
With these additions, the Bears’ are optimistic that they can contend for an NFC North title. That is, as long as Jay Cutler has a come back back year.
Offense: While Jay Cutler took a ton of heat for Chicago’s offensive problems, he wasn’t solely to blame. His job was not easy playing behind a disappointing offensive line, and he received no help from the running game.
If Tice can get more out of the boys up front, Chicago should be able to do better than the 93.2 yards per game it gained rushing last season, especially now that Taylor has been brought in to aid Matt Forte.
Forte was not able to keep building on the 1,238 yards he gained in his rookie season. Forte most likely won’t run for that many yards this season either, but the Bears’ running game is in better shape after adding another versatile running back.
Cutler did not start to jell with the receivers until late last year. Once he did, Chicago started playing much better football. While Chicago does not have a true No. 1 wideout, Devin Hester, Earl Bennett, Johnny Knox and Devin Aromashodu are all very capable of big games. Martz should also be able to find more ways to get tight end Greg Olsen involved.
If the ground game is better, Jay Cutler will be better. He forced way too many passes last season because the offense was not able to move the football.
Defense: Chicago’s pass rush has been inconsistent the last few seasons, but Peppers should instantly shake things up. We’re speaking about a freakish athlete who has made 10.5 or more sacks in five of the last six years. His presence up front should also revitalize former Pro Bowler Tommy Harris.
Lance Briggs may now be the Bears’ best linebacker, but Brian Urlacher is still the leader of this defense. The Bears missed his leadership and big play ability greatly when he missed almost all of 2009 with a wrist injury. If Pisa Tinoisamoa could avoid the injury bug, the Bears’ have as good a linebacker group as any team in the NFL.
Charles Tillman and Zack Bowman are good cornerbacks, but Chicago needs better play from their safeties. They are hoping that their third round pick Major Wright will be able to improve the safety play from day one.
Prediction: 3rd NFC North – After adding guys like Peppers and Taylor, the Bears will be a better football team then they were last year. The question now is if they can put it all together. Jay Cutler didn’t seem to settle in up until late last season, and Chicago can’t afford their new guys to take that long. Chicago should be better in 2010, but it may be asking to much for it to overtake the Viking and Green Bay. NFL odds makers currently have listed the Bears’ at +350 to win the NFC North.
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