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2016 Lions Opponents: Did They Improve? NFC North & More

By Al Stahl

Jan 10, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings kicker Blair Walsh (3) misses the potential game-winning field goal against the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth quarter in a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings kicker Blair Walsh (3) misses the potential game-winning field goal against the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth quarter in a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 18, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) warms up before the start of the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 18, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) warms up before the start of the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

Chicago Bears

Chicago pulled up the rear of the NFC North last year, but they have their sights set on improving their divisional status in year two under John Fox. The offensive and defensive lines will look very different this year as the Bears try to adjust to their new coaching style.

The offense:

2015 Offensive Starters Proj. 2016 O Starters
Pos. Player Pos. Player
LT Jermon Bushrod LT Charles Leno
LG Matt Slauson LG Cody Whitehair
C Will Montgomery C Ted Larsen
RG Kyle Long RG Kyle Long
RT Charles Leno RT Bobby Massie
TE Zach Miller TE Zach Miller
WR Martellus Bennett WR Alshon Jeffery
WR Alshon Jeffery WR Kevin White
WR Eddie Royal WR Eddie Royal
RB Matt Forte RB Jeremy Langford
QB Jay Cutler QB Jay Cutler

The offensive line returns right guard Kyle Long and moves last year’s right tackle, Charles Leno, to the left side. Cody Whitehair should take over at left guard, Ted Larsen should step into the center spot to fill in for Hroniss Grasu who was recently lost for the season due to a knee injury. Free agent addition Bobby Massie is slotted to start at right tackle. While the tackles aren’t going to impress the casual fan, they should be serviceable if healthy. The interior of this offensive line is where the Bears were looking improved. The injury to Grasu throws a wrench in the team’s plan, but Larsen has experience at center and Whitehair and Long should be a top 5 pair of guards this year.

Kevin White returns from the injury that ended his 2015 season before it began and is paired with Alshon Jeffery. That should make Jay Cutler’s job a lot easier. Matt Forte joined the Jets in free agency, so Jeremy Langford is this team’s starting running back going forward, although a recent foot injury may have him sidelined to start the season.

So how does the defense look?

2015 Defensive Starters Proj. 2016 D Starters
Pos. Player Pos. Player
DE Will Sutton DE Akiem Hicks
DT Eddie Goldman DT Eddie Goldman
DE Jarvis Jenkins DE Jonathan Bullard
OLB Sam Acho OLB Lamarr Houston
ILB Shea McClellin ILB Jerrell Freeman
ILB Christian Jones ILB Danny Trevathan
OLB Pernell McPhee OLB Pernell McPhee
CB Kyle Fuller CB Kyle Fuller
FS Adrian Amos FS Adrian Amos
SS Antrel Rolle SS Harold Jones-Quartey
CB Tracy Porter CB Tracy Porter

The Bears’ defense was bad last year and it should be much improved in 2016. Eddie Goldman worked his way into the starting lineup last year and should continue to hold down the middle of the defense. Rookie Jonathan Bullard has gotten rave reviews in training camp and adding Akiem Hicks to man the other DE spot should really free up the linebackers to roam the field this year.

The Bears added LB Leonard Floyd in the draft and he should contribute right away, but Lamarr Houston should begin the season as the starter at OLB opposite Pernell McPhee. On the inside, Chicago added Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman who should both be huge upgrades to a weak 2015 unit.

It’s not all sunshine and roses for the windy city defense though. The secondary is still bad.Kyle Fuller is the lone bright spot as he’s paired with the one-year-older Tracy Porter and the starting safety combo is…Adrian Amos and Harold Jones-Quartey. I guess the Bears need another draft or two in order to complete the defensive rebuild.

Verdict

The Bears have rebuilt their offensive line, their defensive line and their linebacking corps in the two offseasons John Fox has had to work with. That’s some impressive construction. With that said, it takes time for lines to gel and the secondary is still a train wreck. Chicago should be better than their 2015 version, but looking at the schedule, I’m not sure by how much. It’s seems entirely reasonable to expect 7+ wins, but it will be a tall order for Chicago to finish any better than .500.

Lions’ chances of a road victory: 50%

Lions’ chances of a home victory: 75%

Next: Los Angeles Rams

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