Bears-Lions Preview

The inactives are in, and it doesn't look good. The entire opening day secondary will be out today, as SS Adam Archuleta and CBs Charles Tillman and Nathan Vasher will all sit. LB Lance Briggs is also out. DT Tommie Harris is apparently active, but it's not known how much he will play, if any. The Bears get a break with Lions WR Calvin Johnson also being inactive, but the kids in the secondary (Kevin Payne, Corey Graham, Trumaine McBride) will definitely have their hands full today. Chicago's front seven must get consistent pressure on Lions QB Jon Kitna, or this could get ugly in a hurry. On offense, expect more even ball distribution from new starting QB Brian Griese. Rex Grossman had his radar locked onto Bernard Berrian, but now Muhsin Muhammad and TEs Desmond Clark and Greg Olsen should get more looks. Cedric Benson must come up big and hold on to the football, because the Bears have to control the clock and keep the high-flying Lions off the field. This is a virtual must-win game for the Bears, and I think they'll pull it off, but not by much.

Bears 27, Lions 24

Bears-Cowboys Preview

In a game that may eventually decide home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs, the Bears host the Cowboys tonight on Sunday Night Football. All the talk has been about the high-octane Cowboys offense and the Bears' inability to score, but the Bears thrive on being doubted, and I expect a strong showing from the home team tonight under the lights. The offense finally gets rookie TE Greg Olsen in the lineup, and his size and speed should help draw defensive attention away from Bernard Berrian. Also look for Devin Hester to finally get his first touches on offense. Cedric Benson doesn't have to be spectacular, but he has to move the chains. I think this could be the game that defines Rex Grossman's career, his career in Chicago anyway. If he plays well and leads the Bears to victory, he might finally be on the right track. If he struggles again and the Bears lose, I think a move to Brian Griese might only be a week or two away. With all of his weapons available and a Cowboys secondary that has given up more TD passes than all but two teams, there is no reason for him not to succeed tonight as long as the offensive line and backs can pick up blitzes against the Cowboys' 3-4 front. The media can't wait to put Tony Romo in the Hall of Fame (some already have), but he hasn't seen a defense like this yet. The linebackers have joined the sack party now, with Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs each recording one last week against the Chiefs, and new defensive coordinator Bob Babich has this unit playing more aggressively than it ever has. Charles Tillman, a corner with above-average size, may be matched up one-on-one with Terrell Owens. The Bears also must keep an eye on TE Jason Witten, who is basically Romo's #2 target. People conveniently forget that Romo fumbled more times than Grossman did in fewer games last season, and if Romo starts running around too much, he may get hit and cough the ball up once or twice.

Bears 27, Cowboys 16

Bears-Chiefs Preview

I saw a lot of overreacting after last week's loss to the Chargers. The biggest loss for the Bears wasn't the game itself, it was losing free safety Mike Brown for the season yet again, this time with a torn ACL. That defense just isn't the same without him, no matter how much Danieal Manning may have improved in the offseason. The defense really can't afford to lose any more of its star players. Rex Grossman was expected to struggle last week, and he wound up with a so-so game. The notion that he wasn't capable of rallying the team to victory is ridiculous, because the Bears had only one offensive possession in the second half where they didn't turn the ball over (Grossman had nothing to do with any of those turnovers). Today, he is expected to light up the Chiefs like he lit up many opponents in the first half of last season. If he doesn't, the Bears might have a problem. Cedric Benson should be running harder than ever after Shaun Phillips' diss a few days ago. Look for him to do his best Larry Johnson impression. Speaking of LJ, the Bears must make sure to wrap up when tackling him. With Eddie Kennison out, Johnson and Tony Gonzalez are the two players that the Bears can't let beat them. I think that Grossman looks better today and hooks up with Bernard Berrian for a TD or two. Benson scores at least once too. And Damon Huard will run for his life.

Bears 27, Chiefs 6

Bears-Chargers Preview

The big offensive key to this game will be protecting Rex Grossman. Most of the Chargers' defensive stars are in their front seven. Give Grossman time to look downfield, and he can hit Bernard Berrian deep and Desmond Clark over the middle. If Grossman sees Shawne Merriman and Co. in his face too many times, it could be a long day. I don't expect Cedric Benson to have a big day, but he has to get what he can against that tough Charger front and make sure he picks up blitzes. On defense, the key will be focusing on limiting LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates. Those are the two players on that offense that you can't let beat you. Make Philip Rivers, who also had a shaky finish to last season, beat you. Bring constant pressure on him and force him into quick decisions. I think the Bears' defense can hold the Chargers' offense down; it's a matter of whether the Bears can score enough on the Chargers. Not having rookie TE Greg Olsen will hurt, but I think the Bears can pull this out if they can win the turnover battle.

Bears 17, Chargers 16

2008 Season Preview

Here we go, another new season. A season of the highest expectations for the Bears since, well, maybe 1986. Going into last season, some people thought the Bears might be able to go to the Super Bowl. This year, anything less than a return trip would be a big disappointment. The defense is there, and looks even better than last year's unit. The special teams lost good contributors like Todd Johnson and Cameron Worrell, but the main key players (Devin Hester, Robbie Gould, and Brad Maynard) are still there. Going into training camp, I said that this season hinged on one player: Cedric Benson. After Rex Grossman's occasional preseason misadventures, I'm more concerned about Grossman than I was a few weeks ago, but I still think he will show improvement. Even if Grossman regresses, Brian Griese is waiting in the wings. If Benson doesn't have a great year or gets injured again, the Bears would be in big trouble. Questions about Adrian Peterson's ability to carry a full load and rookie Garrett Wolfe's size make runningback the Bears' most vulnerable position. Media types around the country are looking for reasons why the Bears won't make it back to the Super Bowl, but if key players on both sides of the ball stay healthy and Grossman and Benson play to their capabilities, the Bears will be playing in Glendale, AZ on February 3rd, 2008.