Falcons at Bears
THE STORY: The Atlanta Falcons gave up a chunk of their future in trading up to take WR Julio Jones in last April’s draft. The team believes Jones and new imports on the defensive line are the missing links that will take them to the Super Bowl. The Chicago Bears, like the Falcons, suffered a disappointing end to their 2010 campaign at the hands of the Green Bay Packers. Large questions loom about whether this year’s Bears team will be able to compete again. Chicago will be looking to quiet some of those doubts when it hosts Atlanta on Sunday.
TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Atlanta -3, O/U 40.5
ABOUT THE BEARS (2010: 11-5 NFC North): For a team that made it all the way to the NFC Championship game last season, Chicago is flying under the radar in the preseason. Quarterback Jay Cutler, who famously missed the second half of the NFC Championship game loss with a knee injury, is the first QB in Bears history to throw for 3,000 yards in consecutive seasons. He has some help in running back Matt Forte, who last season became the first Bear since Walter Payton to post at least 1,000 yards rushing and 500 receiving yards.
ABOUT THE FALCONS (2010: 13-3 NFC South): Jones’ main objective in his rookie season will be to stretch the field a bit and get double coverage off Roddy White, who led the NFL and set a franchise record with 115 catches and 1,389 yards in 2010. After getting burned for 48 points and 442 yards in the playoff loss to the Packers, Atlanta brought in veteran defensive end Ray Edwards to supplement John Abraham in the pass rush. Matt Ryan has plenty of weapons on the offense and the team is being built to win now.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Cutler is 22-0 in his career when his passer rating is over 100, including 7-0 in 2010.
2. Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez caught 70 passes last season, becoming the only player in NFL history with 60 or more receptions in 12 straight seasons.
3. Atlanta has yet to lose to Chicago under head coach Mike Smith, taking each of the last two meetings.