Cutler hopes to stay healthy and lead the Bears to the Playoffs this season.
The Chicago Bears will open their season at Soldier Field in Chicago against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday Sept. 7 at 1 p.m. EST, With quarterback Jay Cutler at full strength, and full health, and looking to stay that way. The Bears vs. Bills game will be aired on FOX TV, and fans can watch the game on live stream below (free with subscriptions).
With Cutler leading the charge, the Bears have a chance to have one of the most potent offenses in the league, with all of their key players returning, including running back Matt Forte and wide receivers Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery. The Bills have a strong running game and should test the Bears defense, too.
Th Bears have made upgrades to their defensive line by signing defensive end Jared Allen and defensive end Lamarr Houston, and cornerbacks Charles Tillman and Tim Jennings will help establish a secondary that hopes to stifle opposing offenses. Last year the challenge for the Bears was stopping the run, so Bears' management is hoping the changes they made will help them improve in that department. The Bills will be a strong first test for the new and improved Bears Defense. Last year the Bears gave up 29.9 points per game on average, and had one of the overall worst defenses in the NFL.
The Bills will enter their second season with E.J. Manuel as their starting quarterback, but his development may be slowed if wide receiver Sammy Watkins is unable to return healthy from his rib injury right away. According to the latest out of Buffalo, Watkins is probable for Sunday's matchup.
Spiller scores during a game versus the New York Jets last season.
A key matchup to watch will be the Bears' rejuvenated defensive line against the Bills' running backs. C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson are expected to be heavily involved in the Bills' offense this year, and Bryce Brown may battle for carries as well. Spiller and Jackson are speed backs, while Brown is more of a bruiser. It will be interesting to see how the Bears D stands up to the trio.
Bears running back Matt Forte taking on a Bills defensive line that includes defensive tackle Kyle Williams and defensive ends Mario Williams and Marcell Dareus will be another interesting battle to watch, and will help to prove if the Bears running game can bolster Cutler on offense.
If the Bears can stuff the run, Manuel will be forced to win the game for the Bills with his arm. No doubt second year head coach Doug Marrone is ready to see Manuel start living up to his otherworldly potential.
To catch the game online, you can check out NFL Sunday Ticket or try ProNFL.net. If you want to listen on the radio, the Bears broadcast on WBBM 780 AM, and the Bills broadcast on WGR 550 AM. The game will be on the Fox Television Network with a 1 pm EST kickoff.
