Week 1: Putting The Past Behind Them

By: Nick Kapetan (@KapN93)

The Bears defense knows that it was horrendous last year. You do not have to remind any of the returning players, head coach Marc Trestman, or highly scrutinized defensive coordinator Mel Tucker. They all know. The fans know. Heck, the whole nation knows.

Last season’s defensive unit quite possibly was the worst in the franchise’s storied history. The Monsters of the Midway once described the punishing enforcers on defense, but you could make the case that that label can now be placed on Trestman’s explosive offense.

This past offense general manager Phil Emery knew that his team’s defense needed a facelift. After announcing that he was retaining Tucker, he went out and signed a boatload of proven veterans that would mix with the countless rookies Emery decided to draft.

Jared Allen, Lamarr Houston, and Willie Young were brought in to provide pressure on the quarterback, which clearly was not there last season. Rookies Ego Ferguson and Will Sutton were drafted in order to provide depth up front with plans to make a significant impact right away. While a whole host of castoffs were brought in to compete for open spots in the secondary, first round pick Kyle Fuller will be the one that is asked to make an immediate impact.

The Buffalo Bills do not provide the most difficult initial test for the drastically changed defense. With a unit that features a two-headed monster in the backfield but not much else, the Bills offense is the epitome of a one-dimensional attack.

C. J. Spiller and Fred Jackson make up the dynamic running back duo. Spiller is the young buck that is playing for a new contract while Jackson is the grizzly veteran who is playing to prove he still belongs in the league.

Jackson is as much of a bruiser as Spiller is a speedster. While they have differing styles, they complement each other perfectly. At a time when running backs are being used less and less, the Bills offense runs through these two.

Handing off the ball to Spiller and Jackson will be second year man EJ Manuel. The signal caller is not Michael Vick in his prime, but he can give the Bears fits with his feet.

During certain points last season before his injury, Manuel caused havoc by buying time while scrambling out of the pocket. His 186 yards in ten games is nothing to write home about, but he showed flashes of a mobile quarterback. For Manuel it all depends on if he can put his horrendous preseason performances behind him.

There is a reason why the team signed journeyman Kyle Orton and it was not because of his impeccable neck beard. Manuel has not shown that he can be a productive quarterback in the NFL; do not expect him to start doing so this Sunday.

The Bills do not sport a receiving core that is anywhere close to the Bears, but it will be interesting to see how the Bears fare against explosive wide receiver Sammy Watkins. Eyeballs should be on how the secondary matches up against Watkins and if the inexperienced deep threat is able to beat the Bears downfield. If he is able to rack up anywhere close to 100 yards, no one would blame you if you started to panic.

All the Bears need to do in the opening game of the season is generate pressure upfront. As long as the front four do what they are capable of doing, the Bills offense should not be able to make a statement of any kind.

Keep an eye on how the defense does against the run. Last year’s unit gave up 100 yards to the likes of Benny Cunningham of the St. Louis Rams. Remember that nightmare?

Do not expect an upset on Sunday. The first game of the season does not indicate what the rest of the season will be like, but it will be nice to finally see the Bears play a game that matters. Hopefully, the performance will be a step in the right direction for a defense in search of an identity.  

Score Prediction: Bears 30 Bills 17

Nick Kapetan hosts The Sports ReKap with his co-host DJ Vogt. The show airs every Tuesday from 6:00PM-7:30PM CT on MarquetteWire.org

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