2014 Week 1 NFC Power Rankings
Chicago Bears wide receiver
Brandon Marshall. David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
6. Chicago Bears (2013 record: 8-8) Last season finish: No postseason
Week 1 Matchup: vs Buffalo Bills 9/7 1:00 PM EST
The Bears watched Aaron Rodgers return and the Green Bay Packers snatch away the possibility of their first playoff appearance in three years in Week 17 last season.
The infamous blitz pickup by John Kuhn on now Packer Julius Peppers on 4th and 8 allowed Rodgers to hit a wide open Randall Cobb down the seam to cement a wild victory for the visitors. That has to leave a bitter taste in their mouths.
The offense with a healthy Jay Cutler is set to be one of the top tier units in the league this season. Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery are one of the deadliest receiver combos in the NFL. The addition of possibly Santonio Holmes as the third receiver could make them ultimately unstoppable when you add in the talented services of Matt Forte.
However, with each NFC team outside of the top two on our list are concerns about defense. The vaunted “Monsters of the Midway” looked like puppy chow for much of the season last year giving up franchise totals in yardage against them. The additions of Jared Allen, Lamarr Houston, and Kelvin Hayden should bring improvement and if so the Bears could be giving the Packers a run for their money for a division crown.