Can the Chicago Bears Make it Back to the Super Bowl This Year?

There is an accepted axiom in the NFL that states, "Defense wins Championships." Okay, maybe someone forgot to tell that to Peyton Manning last year. Let's get pass that, after all Peyton is a deity and the axiom does not apply to him. Having said that, the Bears have a good chance of repeating as champions of the NFC. Don't believe me, ask Vegas. Chicago is an 8-1 favorite to win the Super Bowl, and no other NFC team is being offered better odds. So why are the Bears favored? Good question. There are five basic reasons why they are favored.

Defense, Defense, Defense:

The Bears have the best defense in the NFC. This defense anchored by Brian Urlacher was the only NFC defense to give up less than 300 points (255) in 2006. To help make it even stronger the Bears drafted DE Dan Bazuin in the second round of the draft this year. Bazuin is quick, powerful, and plays the game with great energy. Also, look for newcomer Adam Archuleta to shore up the secondary. Archuleta is a great strong safety that never found his way in Washington last year, but who plays like a junior version of Brian Urlacher.

Cedric Benson has developed:

The Bears running game will pick up just where it left off last year with the development of Cedric Benson. Benson started getting more carries late in the year and into the playoffs. With each carry Benson got stronger and began to show why he was a dominant back in college and the Bears number one pick in the 2005 Draft. Look for a season of +1,200 yards from Benson.

Rex Grossman will improve:

At times Rex Grossman was brilliant last year. Then again, there were games when he forced passes and was absolutely horrible. Which quarterback will the Bears get this year? Neither! With a full season under his belt as a starter, Grossman will calm down and give a more stable performance. When you have stability at quarterback, a good running game and the Bears defense, you will win your share of games.

The Devin Hester factor:

Kick return specialist Devin Hester is a game breaker. He is a modern day Deion Sanders who can change the course of a game with a return, and he often did in 2006. Not only will the Bears get Hester back, but they will feature him on offense as well. They will use him in the same fashion that the Saints used an exciting game breaker named Reggie Bush last year. Look for Hester to be the factor in a pair of Bear wins this year.

Who else is good in the NFC:

Which brings us to one final point. If not Chicago, then who? Let's face it all of the better teams going into the 2007 season are in the AFC. The Colts, Ravens and Chargers will not battle the Bears for the NFC crown. That leaves only the Saints as possible contenders, and I have to like the odds against the Saints. Look for the Bears to repeat in the NFC.