Offensive MVP: RB Matt Forte
Forte is a versatile back whose impact is felt in both the running and passing game. He reached 1000 yards rushing this year and also had 500 yards receiving. While Cutler’s dedication to preventing turnovers this season greatly helped the Bears win the division, Forte’s play has been crucial to the offense especially over the 2nd half of the season.
Defensive MVP: DE Julius Peppers
The Bears got their money’s worth by adding Peppers over the offseason. His presence on the team has elevated the defense and is reminding people of the Bears defense that led the team to the Super Bowl in 2007. He had 8 sacks this year which was lower than expected, but constant double teams allowed for teammate DT Israel Idonije to register 8 sacks as well. While LB Brian Urlacher remains the team’s heart and soul, the addition of Peppers had made all the difference for this Bears team.
Best Win: Week 12 - Against Philadelphia Eagles
It wasn’t too long ago that most people (myself included) thought the Bears weren’t a very good team, and likely would not make the playoffs. Before the game against the Eagles, their record stood at 7-3 and had a very tough schedule ahead of them. But against the Eagles, the Bears showed that they weren’t pretenders and defeated a tough Philadelphia team. Cutler had a great day, throwing for 4 touchdowns with no interceptions, and Forte had a 100 yard day on the ground. The defense, while not spectacular, did just enough to stop Vick, and the team held on for a 31-26 victory. The win gave them sole possession for the NFC North and the Bears never looked back.
Rookie Grade: C-
With no picks in the first 2 rounds and a relatively healthy year for the Bears, the rookies did not get to see a lot of playing time. 3rd round pick S Major Wright has played sparingly, but the big surprise has been the amount of playing time given to 7th round pick RT J’Marcus Webb. The Bears have him as their starting RT, and while his play has been very inconsistent, he has shown that he might have what it takes to be a decent starter in the league. The Bears have a terrible pass blocking line, so Webb has a chance to be a starter again next year for the Bears, but he will definitely have to keep improving to show he is better than the typical 7th rounder.
How Can They Make It To The Super Bowl: Jay Cutler limiting his turnovers
Jay Cutler has made improvements in Mike Martz’s offense, but he still throws too many interceptions to feel confident about this team’s chances to make it to the Super Bowl. In the Bears’ 5 losses, Cutler has thrown 9 picks, compared to only 7 picks in their 11 wins. Getting Cutler to make smart decisions will be key for this team if they want to advance to the Super Bowl, and with a solid running game and one of the better defenses in the league, there is no reason this team can’t get there.
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