Brandon Marshall: Packers and Lions 'don't have a defense like we do'
In 2011, the Chicago Bears were shaping up to be a serious postseason threat, right up until they lost Jay Cutler for the rest of the regular season. Even with a cake schedule, the Bears still couldn't put up any points down the stretch and ended up missing the playoffs.
One of the newest additions to Chicago's roster, wideout Brandon Marshall, believes that the Bears are the team to beat in the NFC North heading into 2012.
Asked on Friday during ESPN's "NFL Live" if Chicago was going to be able to keep pace with the two teams in the division that went to the playoffs last year, Marshall flipped the question on its head.
"I look at it the other way," Marshall said. "You have to pay respect to the Packers because they won the division, but those teams don't have a defense like we do."
Technically, Marshall is correct. Both the Lions and Packers were worse in most defensive metrics last year. But the Packers were substantially worse on defense in 2011 than they were when they won the Super Bowl, and Detroit's defense wasn't as good as the previous year either.
But perhaps Marshall is simply being confident as a new member of the team; he also stated that the Bears will have a "chance to win" the Super Bowl.
"Honestly, I think we can not only make it to the Super Bowl, but I think we'll have a chance to win it," Marshall said.
And that's perfectly fine. There should be enough folks agreeing with Marshall, thanks to Chicago's offseason, that picking the Bears to win the NFC North won't be an outrageously bold claim.
But as much as Marshall would like to make the Bears the faves, it's still the Packers division until someone takes it from them.
For more NFL news, rumors and analysis, follow @EyeOnNFL on Twitter, subscribe to our RSS Feed and subscribe to our Pick-6 Podcast and NFL newsletter. You can follow Will Brinson on Twitter here: @willbrinson.
One of the newest additions to Chicago's roster, wideout Brandon Marshall, believes that the Bears are the team to beat in the NFC North heading into 2012.
Asked on Friday during ESPN's "NFL Live" if Chicago was going to be able to keep pace with the two teams in the division that went to the playoffs last year, Marshall flipped the question on its head.
"I look at it the other way," Marshall said. "You have to pay respect to the Packers because they won the division, but those teams don't have a defense like we do."
Technically, Marshall is correct. Both the Lions and Packers were worse in most defensive metrics last year. But the Packers were substantially worse on defense in 2011 than they were when they won the Super Bowl, and Detroit's defense wasn't as good as the previous year either.
But perhaps Marshall is simply being confident as a new member of the team; he also stated that the Bears will have a "chance to win" the Super Bowl.
"Honestly, I think we can not only make it to the Super Bowl, but I think we'll have a chance to win it," Marshall said.
And that's perfectly fine. There should be enough folks agreeing with Marshall, thanks to Chicago's offseason, that picking the Bears to win the NFC North won't be an outrageously bold claim.
But as much as Marshall would like to make the Bears the faves, it's still the Packers division until someone takes it from them.
For more NFL news, rumors and analysis, follow @EyeOnNFL on Twitter, subscribe to our RSS Feed and subscribe to our Pick-6 Podcast and NFL newsletter. You can follow Will Brinson on Twitter here: @willbrinson.
