OFFENSIVE LINE OF THE WEEK: CHICAGO BEARS

I think this upcoming Colts game will be a huge test for the team - and especially for our OL.  I would guess that the starters will get the most playing time in that game - and not much work in the final game of the preseason.  

I've thought about this a lot lately, as far as expectations for the offense and defense this year.  Our offense (scoring PPG) was 23rd in the NFL last year at 19.2 ppg.  Even improving to 24 ppg would be a top-10 team (last season, anyway).  I believe that would be a realistic expectation as far as a one-year improvement.  The Detroit Lions were a top-5 team last year scoring 26.6 ppg.  I would be thrilled if we could improve that much in one year... that would be one heck of an improvement.  Maybe.  But at least I would like to see the average ppg in that 24 to 25 ppg range.  That should be doable.

The defense was dead last in the NFL last year allowing 27.2 ppg.  The defense has better players this year and better depth at some positions.  I would expect to see that unit improving to around 22 ppg allowed.  That would put them in the middle of the NFL, around 15th or 16th or so in the league.  Maybe that is a reasonable improvement to expect in one season.  I really don't expect teams to be able to run on us all game long like they did last year.  And I also expect to see a better pass rush overall.  Not great, but much better than last year.  And I think we'll see them force more turnovers this year.  I do expect that to happen.