An Early Look at The 2009 Chicago Bears Season

Yea, it’s May, but seriously, with the Bulls and Blackhawk’s seasons over, the Cubs and White Sox seriously underachieving, and the NBA Playoffs seemingly never coming to an end, let’s talk some Bears football baby!

Before I give you a game by game breakdown of what I think the Bears’ 5 most important games are, and what the season will look like, let me tell you about my lack of credibility as a football analyst.  First, I’ve played football for two whole years in my life on an actual organized team (8^th grade and freshman year of high school until I realized I sucked).  I have also taken a grand total of one Writing class in college, accompanied by one Journalism class.  And finally, as much as I try to be unbiased fan of the NFL, I don’t kid myself.  I wake up every morning and have a nice tall glass of orange and navy Kool-Aid with my bowl of Fruit Loops. 

Well, if you’re still around after that shining introduction of myself, here are my breakdowns of the 5 most important games in the Bears 2009 season.

Week 1- @Green Bay- Most Intriguing Matchup:  All eyes will be on Cutler, but what will be truly important is how the Bears’ receivers get separation from Green Bay’s lockdown, man cover corners.  Few positions in the NFL will be as unproven as the Bears’ receiving corps.  Will a reunited Earl Bennett and Jay Cutler turn Bennett back into a threat like he was at Vanderbilt?  Can Hester continue to improve on his 2008 season where he flashed the ability to be a starting NFL wide out?

OR

Will Al Harris, Charles Woodson and co. make getting off the line of scrimmage a nightmare, and throw off the timing of the passing game?   ADVANTAGE: Green Bay

Green Bay Key to Victory: The Packers need to come out of training camp sharp and have the kinks worked out of their new 3-4 Defense and get constant pressure on Cutler.

Bears Key to Victory:  The new O-line will need to open up holes for Matt Forte to run through, and protect Cutler long enough so that he doesn’t get a warm introduction from Packers DE, Aaron Kampman.

Who Wins?  BEARS.  The Packers have a totally new defensive scheme.  The Bears O-line has improved, Forte will only look better in his second season as the Bears feature back, and most importantly, Cutler has the mobility to move around the pocket and avoid pressure.  This should be a high scoring affair, but the Bears D-line gets enough pressure on Rodgers to force one or two crucial INT’s.        

            BEARS 1-0

Week 2- PIT- Loss.  Too much Defensive pressure and just enough offense to beat Bears.             BEARS 1-1

Week 3- @ SEA- Win.  Bears make Seattle one-dimensional offensively.  Bears offense starts to click after rough game against Pitt.

            BEARS 2-1

Week 4- DET-Win.  If you contain the beast known as Calvin Johnson, you contain Detroit.  Bears offense rolls over a still terrible, Detroit defense.

            BEARS 3-1

Week 5-Bye- BEARS 3-1

Week 6-@ ATL- Most Intriguing Matchup:  Last year Matt Ryan took the NFL by storm by being a rookie QB and succeeding in his first season.  Not only that, Ryan took an embarrassed franchise to the playoffs and made them forget about Vick.  I would say the most intriguing matchup is the Bears Defense vs. Michael Turner, but the Bears kept Turner in check last year limiting him to 54 yards on 25 attempts, and still lost the game.  The real most intriguing matchup is Matt Ryan vs. the Bears Defense. 

Ryan has a great head on his shoulders, some serious fire-power at receiver, a hall of fame tight end, and a monster at RB in Turner.  On the other hand, the Bears defense will be much different from last year.  Urlacher has finally had an off-season that consisted of training and getting stronger, rather than rehabbing an injury.  The defensive line will be under the tutelage of much praised D-line coach Rod Marinelli, and Lovie said he will personally be much more involved in the defensive scheme.         ADVANTAGE: (Gasp) PUSH.

ATL Key to Victory:  If Atlanta can mix up the run and pass effectively and kept the Bears guessing, they have a good enough defense to not let Cutler win the game by himself. 

Bears Key to Victory:  Control the clock and keep Ryan and co. off the field.  Forte should have some holes to run through (Falcons ranked 25^th against the run).  As good as Matt Ryan may be, he is still young and which could mean a veteran Bears defense could force a costly turnover.

Who Wins? BEARS.  The Bears almost always bring their “A” game for Sunday Night Football, and will look to make a statement to the rest of the league that they are a top team. 

            BEARS 4-1

Week 7-@ CIN-Win.  This game will be close.  Personally I can’t wait to see the Bears front seven match up with Cedric Benson.  CIN had a great off-season.  Cutler vs. Palmer is a wash, but the Bears D knows when to make big plays and will do enough to win this QB duel.

            BEARS 5-1

Week 8-CLE- Win.  Quinn looks like he can be a solid NFL passer, but I don’t see him being a guy to carry an overmatched team to victory on the road.

            BEARS 6-1

Week 9-ARI- Loss.  Bad matchup for Bears.  I am almost positive the two guys who start at safety in week 1 will not be the same guys starting in week 9.  Cardinals score often, Bears keep it close but Boldin and Fitzgerald are just too good.

            BEARS 6-2

Week 10-@ SF-Win.  It’s nice to not be the team with controversy at the QB position.  Too much Cutler, too much Forte, too much Olsen.

            BEARS 7-2

Week 11-PHI- Most Intriguing Matchup:  Whenever McNabb comes to Chicago its always all about Donovan.  But, finally after years and years the Bears have a QB to call their own.  Even though the will never technically “play” against each other, the most intriguing matchup is McNabb vs. Cutler.  Last year, this game was a thriller, and I only expect it to be better with two of the best teams in the NFC going toe to toe.  I don’t think either defense really shows up in this game and it becomes a bit of a shootout.  By now Cutler should have a decent rapport with his receivers.  Cutler and Olsen will look like the new Romo and Witten, Hester can’t be covered deep, and the combination of Bennett and rookie Iglesias, should provide a satisfactory #2 receiver.  McNabb has to be happy with the last two off-seasons.  Both Desean Jackson and Jeremy Macklin are game breakers, Kevin Curtis coming back from injury is a dependable receiver, and Brian Westbrook is as good as it gets running and catching the football.                        ADVANTAGE: PHI

PHI Key to Victory: Get to Jay Cutler.  Get him out of a rhythm and get him frustrated.  Cutler will force throws that aren’t there.

Bears Key to Victory: Win the field position battle.  The Bears have had arguably the best special teams unit in the NFL the last three years.  They have to give themselves a short field and get the crowd into the game. 

Who Wins? EAGLES.  This is a matchup of two of the premiere teams in the NFC.  The Bears will be in this game to the end, I just think McNabb will play the big downs better than the Bears will.

            BEARS 7-3

Week 12-@ MIN- Most Intriguing Matchup: Bears Offensive Line vs. Vikings Defensive Line.  More specifically though, Jared Allen vs. Orlando Pace.  Hopefully Pace is still healthy this late into the season because I really want to see him match up against one of the best pass rushers in the NFL in Jared Allen.  Allen was certainly a pain for the Bears to deal with last year, getting to Kyle Orton frequently.  This off-season the Bears got significantly better along the O-line, but will it be enough to move the Williams wall and make room for Forte to run through?  Can Pace slow down Allen, or does this game show how old Pace really is?      

            ADVANTAGE: MIN

MIN Key to Victory:  It’s simple and it should be the same in almost every game they play this year.  Get Adrian Peterson the football, work the play action pass, and stop the other team from running the football.

Bears Key to Victory:  Even if the Vikings defensive line is doing its job and not allowing any running room, keep feeding Forte the ball.  The difference between this year and last is Cutler.  He has the talent to keep the chains moving.  Minnesota must respect the run, and not just focus in on stopping Cutler.

Who Wins? VIKINGS.  The way Minnesota plays football is how the Bears can be beat.  In the past, Minnesota has been able to completely shut down our running game, and even though the Bears O-line is better, Minnesota’s D-line is just too good.  Cutler will try doing too much and give the Vikings a couple extra possessions. 

            BEARS 7-4

Week 13-STL-Win.  This is just what the Bears need after coming off of back to back tough losses.  The Rams are still very far away from being a playoff caliber team in the NFL.  Bears will roll and get confidence back.

            BEARS 8-4

Week 14-GB-Win.  This game is very close as the Packers are fighting for a playoff spot, but Lovie has a formula for the Packers, and you have to go with the home team on this one. 

            BEARS 9-4

Week 15-@ BAL- Win.  The Raven’s defense takes a step back this year and relies a little too much on the arm of Flacco.  Flacco is best delivering the deep ball which is what the Bears D will take away from him.  Expect a low scoring game with multiple turnovers on both sides.

            BEARS 10-4

Week 16-MIN- Most Intriguing Matchup:  Same as before.  Whoever controls the trenches will win this game.  The big difference I see this time around is that the Bears D-line becomes much more active against the Vikings O-line. 

            ADVANTAGE: PUSH

MIN Key to Victory:  Get Adrian Peterson rolling and keep Cutler off the field.  If the Vikings have a big edge in Time of Possession, they will win.

Bears Key to Victory:  Score early and often.  The Bears need to get the crowd into this game and make it a high scoring affair.  Get Cutler going by calling some bootleg plays and let him get into a rhythm with his favorite target Olsen.  Let the pass open up the run.

Who Wins? BEARS.  The Bears will keep the winning streak alive and really open up the offense.  I see this as the game wear the Bears’ receivers step up, and Cutler lives up to the hype.  Expect the Bears D to force a few turnovers.

            BEARS 11-4

Week 17-@ DET- Win.  The Bears always have trouble playing at Ford field but there is too much on the line in terms of winning the division to let the Lions escape with a win.  Bears win a thriller, and the division.

            BEARS 12-4

The Bears look to be a real contender this year and should make a run in the playoffs.  Again, this is a way too early look at the season, but seriously, if I have to watch another double play on Sportscenter, I’m going to go crazy.

Bear Down.