The Dawn Of A New Season

Chicago Bears Quarterback Mike Glennon
(Credit: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

       Chicago Bears football is back as they take on the Atlanta Falcons at Soldier Field in what will hopefully be a good battle. The Bears are coming off of one of their worst seasons (3-13) while the Falcons are coming off a devastating loss in the Super Bowl. They led 28-3 late in the third quarter and then Tom Brady happened. 

       The Bears come into this season looking to prove that they are better than people make them out to be. Although many questions still exist on the offensive side of the ball, especially with Cameron Meredith lost for the season, the defense definitely has some upside. This off-season the Bears were able to add safety Quintin Demps and corner-back Prince Amukamara. With these additions they hope to take their middle of the pack defense and get back to the monsters of the midway. The Bears only managed 8 interceptions last year, tied with multiple teams for second worst in the league. They didn't force too many fumbles either (13). The front seven boasts extreme impact players including Jerrell Freeman, Danny Trevathan, Akiem Hicks, and Leonard Floyd. Floyd is especially looking to build off of a great rookie season in which he had 7 sacks. 

       Unfortunately the Bears defense will have a tough task against one of the best offenses from last year. Atlanta's high flying attack, led by Matt Ryan and Julio Jones, was mostly unstoppable last year. They ranked first in points per game with 33.8 and second in yards per game with 426. A team coming off a disappointing loss in the Super Bowl, a game they should have won, might have a bit of a chip on their shoulders. Matt Ryan was absolutely fantastic last year racking up 4,944 passing yards and 38 touchdowns. He only threw 7 interceptions last season and boasted a very high passer rating (117.1). The Bears will have to make some big plays in order to stop this high powered offense.

       The real questions start on the offensive side of the ball. With Meredith out, the Bears don't really have a number one wide receiver. So they will look to Kendall Wright, Markus Wheaton, and Kevin White to carry the load. Kevin White hasn't had the chance to get his footing in the NFL due to injuries his past two seasons. The Bears selected White with the 7th overall pick in 2015's draft, but have yet to see the player they believed they were getting. There is still hope that he can be a number one in this league and I know Bears fans are eager to see him get some more playing time.

       With all that was going on in the preseason on whether or not there was a QB battle, we are finally at the start of the season and Mike Glennon is the starting quarterback. As much as a lot of fans seem to hope that Glennon struggles so Trubisky can play, I hope Glennon has an amazing year. Glennon is only in his fifth year in the league, and has seen playing time in just four of those years. Over his career he has compiled 4,100 yards passing, 30 touchdowns, 15 interceptions, and a rating of 84.6. I believe that Mike still has a lot to show to everyone in the league. Can he make the right reads? Yes. Can he make the deep throws? Yes. The main issue with Glennon is his mobility. With his limited time in the league, we have seen that he isn't as agile as other quarterbacks. He doesn't have the type of shifty moves that someone like Wilson, Rodgers, or Roethlisberger have. Ben might be a big guy, but he sure knows how to get out of trouble. Glennon will be more of a Peyton Manning; using the pocket most often. If the Bears offensive line, who will most likely be missing pro-bowl guard Kyle Long, can give Glennon enough time, I don't believe his limited mobility will be an issue. I'm not trying to say that he won't have a chance to make plays with his feet, but in all reality, he is a pocket passer who will make the right reads so long as you give him enough time.

       Things should open up in the passing game if the offense can get some big runs going through Jordan Howard. Due to an injury to Jeremy Langford last year, Howard exploded onto the scene as one of the best rookie runners in the league, next only to Ezekiel Elliot. Howard pounded his way to 1,313 yards (2nd most in the league) and 6 touchdowns. This guy was a pleasant surprise in a season that didn't have much to offer. If Howard can manage to keep his production up, I think the Bears offense will be just fine.

       Overall, I believe the Bears can go out and upset the Falcons on Sunday, but it is going to take plays from all sides of the ball to make that a reality.