Looking at the NFC North: The Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears finished 9-7 and came up just short in their pursuit of a NFC North division title in 2008. A team many saw winning the division, they lost on the road at Minnesota in a crucial NFC North division game.

To finish the season out, they had a Week 17 road loss to the AFC South Houston Texans on the road that would have given them at least a chance at the playoffs.

But losing a 34-14 matchup against the division rival Minnesota Vikings seemed to be a final stab in the Chicago Bears' morale and a shot at the NFC North title.

This was a game that included a fourth down goal line stand and an NFL record-tying 99-yard touchdown pass caught by, none other than, former Bear WR Bernard Berrian.

The Bears have accepted their failures and are looking to the 2009 season.

Leading them will be newly acquired QB Jay Cutler, a former Denver Bronco who was traded after conflicting issues with new head coach and former New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

Chicago hopes Jay Cutler will be that franchise quarterback that has been missing for nearly six decades.

Note: 23 QB's have started for the Chicago Bears since Jim McMahon (the last great QB for Chicago) in the mid 1980's.

Another big key player is second year running back Matt Forte, who shocked every one in his rookie season by rushing for 1,238 yards and eight touchdowns—an explosive weapon in the running game yet versatile in the passing game.

The Chicago Bears know all too well that they will need a much healthier, younger defense in 2009 to compete in the North. The Bears defense was plagued with injuries while veteran age caught up with many.

The Bears allowed 334.7 yards a game (21st) and 241.2 pass yards a game (30th) in a defense that seemed too slow.

Let's take a closer look at the Chicago Bears:

Key Losses

QB Kyle Orton

Draft Picks

2009 First Round Draft pick

2010 First Round Draft Pick

2009 Third Round Draft Pick

Key Additions

QB Jay Cutler, acquired through trade with the Denver Broncos

T Orlando Pace, signed a three-year contract

T Kevin Shaffer, signed a three-year contract

RB Kevin Jones, re-signed to a two-year contract

2009 NFL Draft Picks

Round Three, Pick 68—DE San Jose St. Jarron Gilbert

Round Three, Pick 99—WR Oklahoma Juaquin Iglesias

Round Four, Pick 105—DE Texas Henry Melton

Round Four, Pick 119—CB Vanderbilt D.J. Moore

Round Five, Pick 140—WR Abilene Christian Johnny Knox

Round Five, Pick 154—LB-Ohio St. Marcus Freeman

Round Six, Pick 190—S Oregon St. Al Afalava

Round Seven, Pick 246—G San Diego St. Lance Louis

Round Seven, Pick 251—WR Pittsburgh Derek Kinder

2009 NFL Schedule

Week One: Sept. 13—Bears @ the Green Bay Packers*

Week Two: Sept. 20—the Pittsburgh Steelers @ Bears

Week Three: Sept. 27—Bears @ the Seattle Seahawks

Week Four: Oct. 4—the Detroit Lions @ Bears*

Week Five: BYE

Week Six: Oct. 18—Bears @ the Atlanta Falcons

Week Seven: Oct. 25—Bears @ the Cincinnati Bengals

Week Eight: Nov. 1—the Cleavland Browns @ Bears

Week Nine: Nov. 8—the Arizona Cardinals @ Bears

Week 10: Nov. 12—Bears @ the San Fransisco 49ers

Week 11: Nov. 22—the Philadelphia Eagles @ Bears

Week 12: Nov. 29—Bears @ the Minnesota Vikings*

Week 13: Dec. 6—the St. Louis Rams @ Bears

Week 14: Dec. 13—the Green Bay Packers @ Bears*

Week 15: Dec. 20—Bears @ the Baltimore Ravens

Week 16: Dec. 28—the Minnesota Vikings @ Bears*

Week 17: Jan 3—Bears @ the Detroit Lions*

Overall, the Chicago Bears are hoping newly-acquired QB Jay Cutler can be the leader on offense while opening a chance at the NFC North title.

The Chicago Bears still have issues on the offensive line, in the WR position, and in the defense that they must solve before the regular season begins.

With many road games at the start, the Bears will be looking to get some wins on the board as they get into the latter part of the schedule with games against division opponents the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings.

If the Bears are to be successful in 2009, they will need running back Matt Forte to have a spectacular sophomore year with young players stepping up and filling crucial holes.

The only things that might hinder the Chicago Bears in 2009 will be their lack of talent at WR, key offensive line issues, and an aging defense that is slowing down.

However, the addition of young gunslinger Jay Cutler has made this offense a lot more potent heading into training camp.

If success is to be achieved this year, it will come from the QB position and how well the offensive line can hold.