Chicago Bears: 5 Biggest Storylines From Week 1

On Sunday the Bears went out and beat the Falcons 30-12 to prove that they are not a team to take lightly in the NFC. Plenty of storylines came from the game.

The Bears were impressive on both sides of the ball, which led to a game that was an even bigger win for the Bears than the score really shows.

On offense, the Bears were led by Jay Cutler, Matt Forte and Johnny Knox, while Brian Urlacher led the way on defense, but plenty of other names contributed. The Bears played a complete game on Sunday, and that is what led them to the victory.

Here are the five biggest storylines that came out of the Bears Week 1 victory...

5. The Offensive Line Is a Work in Progress

The Bears offensive line looked a lot better on Sunday than it had in the past, but it still is a work in progress.

For most of the game, the pass protection was beautiful, which led to Jay Cutler throwing for over 300 yards. At times, however, the offensive line struggled to provide Cutler with any time to throw the ball.

The Bears only rushed for 88 yards on Sunday, and 27 of them came on one run from Forte. The offensive line failed to create gaps for the Bears running backs to run through.

The offensive line did a solid job on Sunday, but there are still definitely areas that they need to grow and improve on.

4. Bears Wide Receivers Are Good Enough

One of the most interesting and impressive statistics from Sunday's win was the fact that Jay Cutler completed a pass to nine different receivers. If you don't believe me, look at the list of players that caught a ball: Forte, Knox, Devin Hester, Roy Williams, Kellen Davis, Earl Bennett, Matt Spaeth, Dane Sanzenbacher and Kahlil Bell.

What was impressive about these receivers were the routes that they were running. Cutler was able to find these receivers wide open many times due to the quality routes that they ran. Now that Mike Martz's offense is starting to click, the speedy receivers that the Bears have on their roster are starting to find open seams on the field and show off their big-play potential.

Williams was very solid in his debut, catching four balls for 55 yards. He had a very impressive catch for a first down when he came slightly across the middle and displayed his size by reaching up and snagging the highly thrown ball for a first down.

Knox was another receiver that came up big. Last season Knox was a good receiver purely because of his speed. On Sunday he found the right spots on the field and connected with Cutler for a few critical first downs.

They may not have showed that they are anywhere near one of the best receiving cores in the NFC, but on Sunday the Bears receivers showed that they are perfectly capable for this offense.

3. Matt Forte Deserves a New Contract

Despite having contract negotiations over his head for the majority of training camp, Matt Forte proved Sunday that he is a premier back in the NFL. Forte had 159 yards from scrimmage for the Bears.

He can run the ball, he can catch the ball, and he can block. Matt Forte does everything that you could ask a halfback to do, and the Bears have to realize this.

Forte exploded for a 56-yard touchdown reception in a very impressive run that displayed his speed, explosiveness and size all in one. If Week 1 is any sort of preview of what Forte is going to do for the Bears this season, then management better be working hard to promise that they keep him a Bear for years to come.

2. Jay Cutler's Offseason Work Has Paid off

Cutler threw one interception on a play when he probably should have just taken the sack, but other than that the Bears quarterback played one heck of a game. Cutler threw for 312 yards and two touchdowns in the Week 1 victory.

The talk of the preseason was the work that Jay Cutler did in the offseason, and Week 1 showed that this work was definitely worth it. Cutler’s improved footwork allowed him to have successful drops and then rocket in beautiful passes to his receivers.

Obviously one game can’t throw Jay Cutler into the category of elite quarterbacks in the NFL, but if it is any indication of his play to come, then he may get there sooner than later.

1. Emergence of Henry Melton

The strength of the Chicago Bears will be their defensive line, and if Henry Melton can consistently play like he did on Sunday, then the Bears will have one of the toughest units in all of football.

Melton is simply just a great athlete. After playing multiple positions, including fullback, at the University of Texas, Melton has settled in at defensive tackle and looks like he’s been playing it his entire life.

He recorded two sacks in Sunday’s game, but what doesn’t go in the stat book was his constant presence in Atlanta’s backfield. Melton simply abused the interior offensive line of the Falcons and proved that it is going to be tough to block the Bears up the middle.