Chicago Bears Week 12: What To Look For

Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

Bears receivers must be allowed to use their size advantage.

The Chicago Bears have the biggest receiving corps in the NFL. We keep harping on that, but Cutler and the coaching staff has not put that size to good use this season. I believe using their size was one of the reasons the offense did so well last year. When you review the 2013 season, you will see a lot of great catches that if not made, would have many Bears drives stall with either punts or field goals, and not touchdowns.

Johnthan Banks has some height at 6-2, but he cannot cover four receivers at once. Also, he weighs just 185 pounds, so he will take a beating over the course of 60 minutes.

Alterraun Verner is good as well, but he is 5-10. Cutler has to do what he does best. He needs to fling the ball far, using his powerful arm strength, and have Alshon Jeffery and Marquess Wilson go after it. That will soften the Bucs’ secondary, allowing Brandon Marshall and Martellus Bennett to punish the corners down low.

The Bears had a lot of success with Marshall playing in the slot, but have not done so as much as they should. If they get into the red zone, they should run the offense similar to the way they did against the San Francisco 49ers — have Marshall and Bennett abuse the smaller defenders.

This will be an emotional game at the beginning. Hopefully, the only emotion the Chicago Bears and their fans feel at the end is the joy of beating their former coach and former players.