Chicago Bears: 5 Reasons the Bears Can Win the NFC North

The Chicago Bears open up their preseason schedule against the Buffalo Bills just five days from today, looking to defend their NFC North title from a year ago.

A plethora of veteran and rookie free-agent signings join a talented returning squad on the field to hopefully overcome defending Super Bowl champion and arch-rival Green Bay.

Here are five key reasons why the Monsters of the Midway are capable of doing just that.

Jay Cutler

Superstar quarterback Jay Cutler was ripped to shreds after his tap-out of last year's NFC championship game.

This year, he is going to come out with a huge chip on his shoulder looking to prove that he didn't just give up when the times got tough.

Mark my words: Jay Cutler will be an NFC Pro Bowler this season.

On top of all of his internal motivations, we need not forget the Bears went through a strong improvement at Wide Receiver this off-season.

Vets such as Roy Williams and Sam Hurd will add immediate help to current pass-catchers such Johnny Knox, Devin Hester and Earl Bennett.

If the Bears are to defend their division title, as I believe they will, Jay Cutler will be the key to their success.

Strength of Schedule

I've never really been a big believer in a team's strength of schedule being a marker for how their season would turn out.

However, for article's sake, and because it's a way to prognosticate without seeing a team on the field, I'm going to include it here.

The Chicago Bears 2011 regular season schedule ranks t-23 lowest in the league this year with the Tennessee Titans.

After a grueling opening three games against Atlanta, Green Bay and New Orleans (two of which are at home), their next three games are against teams who were significantly under .500 a year ago.

As well, the Bears inter-conference schedule includes games against the AFC West Division—arguably the AFC's most inconsistent division.

The Martz/Williams Connection

In 2006, Mike Martz was the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, and Roy Williams was the primary target in the Martz's offense.

That season Williams posted a stat line that looked like this: 82 rec, 1,310 yds, seven TDs and averaged 16.0 YPC.

He also made the Pro Bowl.

Now, although that was five seasons ago, Martz and Williams are reunited under the same system this season in Chicago, and I don't see why the two can't produce prorated numbers.

Williams still has the skill; he just needs to rehabilitate his image in regards to his work ethic and effort on plays. Mike Martz is that coach who he trusts and will get him to do just that.

I fully expect 70 catches and a 1,000 yards from Roy this season.

He would become the Bears first 1000-yard receiver since Marty Booker in 2002.

The Offensive Line

J'Marcus Webb, Chris Williams, Roberto Garza, Lance Louis and Gabe Carimi.

That is the current first-unit offensive line that coach Mike Tice is working with in training camp. Tice has stated that he intends to ride this group to the regular season with no changes due to their impressive collective showing in camp.

I personally see this as a sign to be very excited about.

Tice wants to build a chemistry within his line for later down the road and especially with a rookie right tackle (Carimi) and a new center (Garza), this decision is going to be crucial.

Luckily, we all know that Mike Tice knows exactly what he's doing when it comes to the trenches. He's one of the best coaches in the game.

If this group can improve their pass blocking from a year ago and keep Jay Cutler on his feet, they can be a very promising collection of players for this up-and-coming Bears offense.

Experience

I get it. The defending Super Bowl Champions play in the same division as the Bears.

But if you recall, the Bears defeated that same team when they were healthy a year ago in Week 3. And the two times they lost, they played three different quarterbacks and still only lost by a combined 14 points.

The Bears have only become a stronger team over the course of this offseason, and I don't think anyone can argue that.

So, who says they aren't capable of winning the division again?

This team has been there and faced plenty of adversity as a squad throughout the course of the last year; they absolutely have what it takes to defend their title as NFC North Division Champions.