Here are the Week One Bears power rankings from various sites around the web:
Analysis: “Offensive line questions remain, but Chicago’s hope is that big WR Brandon Marshall is the cure what ails QB Jay Cutler.”
Analysis: “For now, though, the Bears lag behind the Packers in the NFC North due to a poor showing against the Giants in Week 3 of the preseason (the “dress rehearsal”), and an inability to run the ball despite having Matt Forte and Michael Bush. Brian Urlacher’s health isn’t helping matters.”
Analysis: “If Jay Cutler and the passing game play lights out, the playoffs will beckon. But the Packers and Lions throw it better, and Chicago is .500 material again.”
CBS Sports: #13 (Last year: #15)
Analysis: ”If Jay Cutler gets protected, they could push for a wild-card spot. Remember how they played before he got hurt last season?”
Fox Sports: #12 (Last year: #18)
Analysis, “The offense will be much more balanced with QB Jay Cutler free to take advantage of mismatches under new offensive coordinator Mike Tice, as opposed to the timing and schematic play-calling of departed Mike Martz.”
Sporting News: #13 (Last year: #19)
Analysis: “With Brian Urlacher on the shelf, the Bears need to shift their playoff burden to the offense. Brandon Marshall and Michael Bush can be huge immediate contributors to aid Cutler toward that end.”
Pro Football Talk: #11 (Last year: #18)
Analysis: “A playoff team in 2012 but for injuries to Matt Forte and Jay Cutler, the Bears are in better position to contend than many realize.”
Pro Football Weekly: #10 (Last year: #16)
Analysis: “Feels strange to say offense looks more promising than defense at the moment.”
WEEI.com: #12 (Last year: #17)
Analysis: “Jay Cutler and the Bears were cruising last year until he went down with an injury in Week 11 that ultimately killed the Bears’ season. Even the team’s infamous offensive line was improving. One of the team’s biggest weakness was downfield targets. The addition of Brandon Marshall makes the offense drastically more dangerous.”
Covers.com: #11 (Last year: #16)
Analysis: “The Bears were 7-3 when Jay Cutler and Matt Forte got hurt last year, stumbling to a 1-5 finish. In 2012, Chicago has a much easier slate, a new offensive coordinator and a healthy QB/RB duo.”
Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.
