NFC NORTH CHICAGO 2014 STRENGTHS: • Quarterbacks, wide receivers, pass protection Bears Offense Under new head coach Marc Trestman in 2013, the Bears’ offense flourished as one of the best downfield passing attacks in the NFL. Chicago’s sudden improvement originated with the offensive line, a unit that struggled badly for years before Trestman’s arrival. The five-man unit of Jermon Bushrod, Matt Slauson, Roberto Garza, Kyle Long, and Jordan Mills did a great job of protecting quarterbacks Jay Cutler and Josh McCown. They allowed Cutler and McCown to be sacked just 30 times all season, a dramatic improvement from the 93 sacks allowed in the previous two seasons. With more time to throw, Cutler responded by completing a higher percentage of passes and earning a higher passer rating than in any of his previous years as Chicago’s starting quarterback. While Cutler’s interception rate was still high, he made up for it by gaining more yards and finding the end zone more frequently than ever before. However, when Cutler was injured, he was unexpectedly overshadowed by reserve quarterback and career backup Josh McCown. As a fill-in for Cutler, McCown improbably produced a 13-1 touchdowninterception ratio, winning three out of five starts and leaving doubt as to who would be Chicago’s quarterback upon Cutler’s return. Trestman made it clear when Cutler returned that he was the starting quarterback of the Bears, a commitment that was set in stone when McCown signed with Tampa Bay as a free agent in the offseason. It is very important to Chicago that Cutler remain healthy this season because none of the quarterbacks backing him up have established themselves as proven performers. Jordan Palmer, Jimmy Clausen, and sixth-round pick David Fales will compete for that position. If Cutler can stay on the field, the Bears’ offense should be productive again in 2014 as Cutler will have plenty of weapons to throw to. Brandon Marshall has consistently been one of the top wide receivers in the league, and is now joined by breakout star Alshon Jeffery. The duo combined for a whopping 2,716 receiving yards last year. With all-purpose running back Matt Forte and tight end Martellus Bennett providing key contributions as well, things are set up nicely for the Bears to prove they have an above-average offense. 2014 WEAKNESSES: • Rushing defense, defensive line, linebackers BEARS Offensive Player to Watch While Jeffery entered the 2013 season with some buzz as a potential “sleeper,” there weren’t many people who predicted the massive breakout that ended up happening. Jeffery exploded for 89 receptions, 1,421 yards and 7 touchdowns playing opposite Brandon Marshall in the Chicago offense. The addition of a second dominant receiving option was a dynamic that helped transform the Bears’ offense from mediocre to one of the better units in the NFL. There are reasons to believe Jeffery will follow up strongly on that breakout season. Consider that as a receiver in the SEC in 2010, Jeffery produced more yards per game than fellow SEC receivers A.J. Green and Julio Jones. Expect Jeffery to continue his excellent play in 2014. Bears Defense Chicago Bears defense is a unit that has become a brand name unto itself. A select few teams in league history are synonymous with tough defense. The Pittsburgh Steelers. The Baltimore Ravens. The New York Giants. And, until last year, the Chicago Bears. That’s the legacy of a history of stout defenses led by legends like Dick Butkus, Mike Singletary, and Brian Urlacher. If Chicago’s offense was a surprise in 2014, then their defense was a shock. Far from being the typical tough Bears defense their fans have become used to, the Bears became one of the league’s worst teams at stopping the run, rushing the quarterback, and making tackles in the open field. A combination of age, injuries, and ineffectiveness left the Bears vulnerable to just about every team they faced. The problems started at the defensive tackle position, where injuries to Henry Melton and Stephen Paea forced Chicago to both play unproven reserves and force defensive ends out of position on the inside. When linebackers D.J. Williams and Lance Briggs were injured along with cornerback Charles Tillman, things just fell apart. Rookie linebacker Jon Bostic was asked to do far too much as running backs consistently leaked into the secondary and the line failed to get a consistent pass rush going. The Bears addressed their sudden defensive woes aggressively in the offseason, particularly along the defensive line. They signed high-profile free agents Lamarr Houston and
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