Countdown to Kickoff… Brandon Marshall Days Until Chicago Bears Season Opener

Aug 15, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) reacts to scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

We decided to do a countdown to the Chicago Bears season opener on September 8th versus the Cincinnati Bengals. Thanks to one of our Twitter followers, we decided to combine the countdown with a roster preview of sorts.

Sorry for the delay in today’s posting.  We’re just 15 days away from Brandon Marshall’s first touchdown of the regular season.  I don’t think I’m going too far out on a limb to say that Marshall will score a TD in the opener.  Let’s get to know the Bears top wide receiver.

Marshall had a record season for the Bears in 2012.  He had 118 catches for just over 1500 yards receiving with 11 touchdowns.  The trade to acquire him for a pair of third round picks makes GM Phil Emery look like a genius.  Marshall seems to have put his off-the-field baggage behind him and is in a good place psychologically.  If that can continue under Marc Trestman in 2013, he’s poised to have another monster season.

Then again, if Trestman’s offense runs the way it’s supposed to, Marshall stat line could take a step back in 2013.  The idea is to spread the ball around more.  In 2012, the next closest receiver had 44 catches and that was running back Matt Forte.

Expect Marshall to have another Pro Bowl caliber season and the stats to dip a little bit, but the relationship that he and Jay Cutler have will still get him plenty of targets.  Look for about 95 catches and 1300 yards with 10 touchdowns from Marshall.

The other notable #15 in recent Bears history is quarterback Jim Miller.  He led the 2001 Bears to a surprising 13-3 season including a playoff berth.  Miller works for Sirius XM and provides the color commentary for Bears preseason games.

We’re just 15 days until kickoff.  Are you ready???

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