Durkin's Preview: Bills Tailor-Made Foe For Bears' Opener
By Dan Durkin-
(CBS) After eight months of anticipation, the Bears kick off the 2014 season Sunday at Solider Field against the Buffalo Bills.
Any consternation about the way last season ended and what could have been is moot. It's time to wipe the slate clean and see if the moves made this offseason have helped the team grow and get closer to a playoff berth.
Chicago coach Marc Trestman is equally excited to see what the 95th incarnation of the Bears is capable of on the field.
"First of all, our players, our locker room knows how excited our fans are to see the team play," Trestman said. "We just want to get it going. Let's get it going. Let's see what we've got."
There isn't much history between these two teams. Sunday's matchup will be only the 12th time the teams have squared off, with the Bears holding a 7-4 all-time record. Their last meeting was at the Rogers Centre in Toronto in 2010, when the Bears prevailed 22-19 and kept the Bills' winless for the season.
When you think about it, the Bills are a tailor-made opponent for the Bears to start the season against. They're an AFC team with questions at quarterback that last made the playoffs when Bears running back Ka'Deem Carey was six years old.
That's not to say the Bills will just roll over. Defensively, they consistently get after the quarterback, which will provide a good test for a Bears offense that projects to move the ball primarily through the air. Offensively, the Bills run the ball as well as any team in the league and will help clarify how much -- if at all -- the Bears have improved their run defense.
The Bears must resist the temptation to look past the Bills. Three of their next four games after Buffalo will be played against 2013 NFC playoff teams (San Francisco, Green Bay and Carolina), so stumbling out of the blocks against a beatable opponent could be disastrous for a team with playoff aspirations.
All 11 starters return on an offense that scored the second-most points in the league last season. The seven-year contract quarterback Jay Cutler received in January demonstrates the faith the organization has in him. If Trestman's history with quarterbacks holds true, Cutler should take a big step in his second year in the system.
The Bears want to execute more plays on offense this season, which involves the defense getting off the field on third down and the special teams providing better field position.
After a historically bad performance on defense, the Bears dedicated the majority of their financial resources and draft picks toward upgrading the talent level on defense. Defensive coordinator Mel Tucker has better players to work with and the freedom to run his own scheme, so the onus is on him to turn things around.
Losing two key cogs on special teams has had a larger ripple effect than the team anticipated. Gone are unfailing long snapper Patrick Mannelly and electric returner Devin Hester. Throw in rookie punter Pat O'Donnell, and the Bears have four new players on the core of their special teams.
As cliche and commonplace as it is to say, the Bears must get off to a fast start. From the front office to the coaching staff to the players in the locker room, this is a "prove-it" season, and to be taken seriously, they have to take care of business on Sunday at home against an inferior opponent.
With 29 new players on the roster, Trestman and his staff must quickly bring the new pieces together into one cohesive unit, and he's optimistic about what's in store this season.
"Overall we look at our team, we know we have talent, we have experience in a lot of different places and a lot of different ways," Trestman said. "We're truly excited to see where this thing goes."
So is the rest of Bears' nation.
Dan Durkin covers the Bears for CBSChicago.com and is a frequent contributor to 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter at @djdurkin.