National Football League

Bears' defense gets chance to show what it can do

Published Sep. 1, 2014 3:01 p.m. ET

foxsports

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) Finally, the Chicago Bears' rebuilt defense gets a chance to show what it can do.

The Bears open the season at home against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday in what they hope is the start of a run to the playoffs after coming up short six of the past seven seasons.

A big reason for that optimism is an overhaul that added five-time Pro Bowl player Jared Allen and fellow end Lamarr Houston among others.

The defense didn't show much during the preseason, with the starters seeing limited time and not exactly dominating when they did play. Injuries were a factor, too.

But the Bears insist there's no reason to worry about their defense. Coach Marc Trestman says the ''talent level's there.''

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