The start of the 2012 NFL season is right around the corner,
and for the Chicago Bears, it should be a great start to a promising season.
The Bears will start the regular season by hosting rookie quarterback Andrew
Luck and the Indianapolis Colts.
The biggest story coming into Week 1 for Chicago is the health of middle linebacker
Brian Urlacher. All offseason, Urlacher has been hampered by a knee injury that
was sustained in the 2011 regular season finale.
The 13-year veteran practiced for the first time in a month
with the team this past Monday, and expects to play on Sunday. Even though
Urlacher says that his knee feels fine, the Bears organization should still be
cautious. After Sunday’s game, Chicago
has a very short week to prepare for a Thursday night game versus the Green Bay
Packers.
Outside of Urlacher’s knee, the Bears’ defense should have a
fun time welcoming Luck into the NFL. Last season, the Colts were ranked 26th
in rushing, averaging 99.6 yards per game. Chicago ’s stout run defense was fifth in the
league (96.4 ypg). It looks like all the pressure will be put on the arm of Indianapolis ’ rookie
quarterback.
Offensively, quarterback Jay Cutler will finally get a
chance to play with a couple of new toys that the Bears added to the offense.
Wide receivers Brandon Marshall and rookie Alshon Jeffery add a dimension to
the passing game that Chicago
fans have never seen. Marshall and Jeffery are 6’ 4”, 230 pounds and 6’ 3”, 216
pounds respectively. Two big targets added to the Bears’ passing attack will
make it much easier for Cutler to find targets in tight coverage.
In addition, Chicago
still has arguably one of the best running backs in the league in Matt Forte,
and Michael Bush as a complement.
As for special teams, the Bears have gotten stronger in the
return game as well. Along with Devin Hester, Chicago has added Lorenzo Booker and Eric
Weems to the mix. Booker showed his big-play ability in the preseason when he
returned a kickoff 105 yards for a touchdown. As for Weems, he has made his
mark as one of the best special teams players when made the Pro Bowl as a
member of the Atlanta Falcons.
Indianapolis was dead last in the league in kick return
coverage last season, so don’t be surprised if the Bears takes one to the house
at some point in the game.
It looks like Chicago has the
advantage over Indianapolis
in all three phases of the game in this Week 1 matchup. Therefore, I think that
it’s safe to say that the Bears will win by a landslide. My prediction: Bears
35, Colts 17.
Clyde A. Speller
Follow me on Twitter @ClydeASpeller
Clyde A. Speller
Follow me on Twitter @ClydeASpeller
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