The Chicago Bears are entering the 2013 with very high expectations after winning 10 games under Lovie Smith and missing the playoffs last year and now that new head coach Marc Trestman is in the fold, quarterback Jay Cutler appears ready to take the team to the next level and they will start the year with a matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, a team looking to make its third straight playoff appearance.
The Bears come into the season after going 10-6 in 2012, but that wasn't enough to make the playoffs and despite winning in week 17, Smith was fired and a new regime was brought in to turn things around. Gone is the familiar presence of Brian Urlacher on the defense and the team added a number of new players in the offseason, including tight end Martellus Bennett and linebacker D.J. Williams to help with the loss of the legend at middle linebacker.
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Trestman is an offensive minded coach and Cutler could be the one to benefit the most from his presence as he enters a very big season that could decide whether he gets and extension with the team or not. Cutler dealt with injuries and a very porous offensive line last season and that is one area where Trestman is trying to improve, as he brought in Kyle Long with the first round draft pick in April and he also took Jordan Mills later in the draft to get some new bodies on the line.
Cutler put up solid numbers last season, but they were not spectacular and for the team to be successful in 2013, he must throw more than 3,033 yards and 19 touchdowns. One of the biggest issues for the Bears was the drop-off last season at wideout, as Brandon Marshall finished the year with over 115 catches and the second best on the team was Earl Bennett with 29. The team needs both Bennett and Alshon Jeffery to step up and they also need Matt Forte to have a very good year with no injuries.
Forte can be one of the most productive backs in all of football with the way he can make plays out of the backfield, but if he can't stay healthy, it will be hard for Cutler and the Bears to get things done. Michael Bush is a solid backup, but he is no Forte and after Forte rushed for 1,044 yards and made 44 catches for 340 yards, he will be expected to put up as good of or better numbers next season. Cutler needs a consistent running game so that defense can't crowd him at the line and Trestman should be able to give him some space with new offensive sets and calls.
The team looked okay in the preseason and it appears that Marshall once again will be the prime target on offense. Last season he had a beast of a year despite teams doubling him and now he will be looked at again to make plays on offense. Rookies Jon Bostic and Khaseem Greene will have to learn quick on defense at linebacker and the team is also expecting Henry Melton, Lance Briggs, Charles Tillman and Julius Peppers to have strong seasons to help the D. Last season the team ranked 29th in passing yards per game and 10th in rushing and they need to improve those numbers to get things more consistent. The team finished eighth in rushing and passing yards allowed on defense and Trestman will be hoping for more of that in 2013.
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