Chicago Bears: 3 Reasons Preseason Game vs. Giants Should Matter to Fans

Nobody likes to be teased, which is exactly why NFL fans despise the preseason.

It's like getting only a taste of your favorite home-cooked meal and having to wait another week for the next bite.

Bears fans have experienced this, watching their first-team offense shine in its premiere at full strength against the Washington Redskins last Saturday. But by the middle of the second quarter, Jay Cutler was standing on the sidelines with a backwards hat.

Nevertheless, this week's game against the defending-champion New York Giants is one that fans should pay attention to.

It will be the Bears' first full dress rehearsal before they open the season, as starters should play into the third quarter.

The final score won't count in the win-loss column, but here is why this game should matter to the Bears' faithful.

Perfecting the Cutler-to-Marshall Connection

Cutler and wide receiver Brandon Marshall know how to slice up defenses.

The Cutler-to-Marshall connection racked up more than 1,200 yards and six touchdowns in their final season together in Denver.

The two teammates are at it again in Chicago, impressing fans in their first game action together of the preseason against Washington. Marshall caught two passes for 61 yards, including a 41-yard catch on the Bears' first play from scrimmage.

‘‘That combination is going for a lot of yards, a lot of catches, and hopefully a lot of touchdowns,’’ head coach Lovie Smith said after the game, according to Andrew Seligman's article.

There is still much work to be done, though, as both quarterback and wideout are still getting used to Mike Tice's offense.

Saturday's game against the Giants will be a good opportunity to shake off any remaining dust before the start of the season. It is important that Cutler knows where his big target will be when pressure comes from opposing defenses.

A high-quality performance from the pair against one of the league's top defenses will help get the ball rolling in the right direction for the 2012 season.

Solidifying the Offensive Line

Cutler's recollection of his last visit to MetLife Stadium is probably a little fuzzy.

The quarterback was battered, bruised and concussed, as the Giants registered 10 sacks (nine in the first half) in what was one of the ugliest games in Bears' history.

Even Seahawks fullback Owen Schmitt would think that was too many hits to head.

Now, the offensive line must keep their signal-caller from being imprinted in the turf once again, as they prepare for the beginning of the season.

Tice was pleased with the pass protection against the Redskins—according to Brad Biggs' article—as Cutler was not sacked.

The battle for left tackle has yet to be decided, but Tice said the starter will be determined by game's end.

"Let's face it, this is going to be the week," Tice said in Biggs article. "We'll all know when we watch the game.”

Both J'Marcus Webb and Chris Williams will be tested against a lethal defensive line that includes Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora.

Luckily for them, 2011 Pro-Bowler Jason Pierre-Paul will be sidelined with back spasms—according to head coach Tom Coughlin.

The play of the offensive line will be one of the major keys to whether the Bears are Super Bowl contenders or pretenders in 2012.

Showing They Are an NFC Contender

The final score won't matter, but the importance of this game should not be undervalued.

It is the Bears' first chance to show that they are the real deal, and there is no better way to do it than against the Super Bowl champs.

This will be the last game action for the starters until the regular season. A good performance will help build momentum going into a Super Bowl-or-bust year.

Smith will want his team to have a great deal of confidence leading up to a crucial Week 2 matchup with Green Bay on September 13.

Without question, this is the most talented Bears team since their Super Bowl run in 2007. Bears fans have been hungry for the season to start for months.

Saturday will be the last sneak preview of what fans hope to be a great show in 2012.