5. Jon Bostic Must Assume Leadership Role

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The absence of Brian Urlacher is so apparent through seven weeks, that it hurts to watch this Bears defense every Sunday. Why am I bringing up the former face of the franchise? It's simple: There has been absolutely no one to step up and fill that leadership role in a sufficient manner; not even Lance Briggs. Now that Jon Bostic is the man in the middle, the rookie is going to have to grow up quickly.

He's not short on firepower or experience by any means, even as a rookie. Bostic was the captain of the nation's best defense a year ago at Florida, and knows a thing or two about making plays. Just ask Teddy Bridgewater. Bostic not only has to make plays, but must become the leader of this aging unit.

Having the ability to catch the majority of running backs with incredible speed, Bostic can get lateral and vertical very quickly. He hits hard. He knows how to read the run and man his gap, for the most part. But, what the Bears sorely need is a vocal leader to step up and take charge.

Bostic has to be that guy. Chicago is missing leadership on defense in a big way. They're sorely missing someone out there to gather the unit and tell them how it is, wake them up and snap them out of this funk. Bostic has to step up and become that vocal leader on his side of the ball if the Bears' defense is going to turn it around and become the unit it is used to being.

4. Offensive Line Must Make it Easy for Josh McCown

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What Phil Emery did this offseason so that Cutler could succeed was beyond a success. Obtaining the pieces necessary to protect his quarterback was the top priority, and Emery got it done. Behind a couple of rookies and two new veterans, this Bears line is playing lightyears better than they did a year ago.

With Cutler out and McCown in, they are going to have to be even better. McCown is a veteran that knows his limits. He's not going to try and attempt a 50-60 yard fly route if it's not desperation time. He won't dive head first for a first down if it's not necessary. He won't dance around in the pocket longer than he has to.

McCown is a fairly smart player and has been around the league for a while. This line, simply put, must protect him. Along with continuing to open up holes in the run game, this unit has to give McCown the best protection possible, especially with an inexperienced backup now in Jordan Palmer.

McCown will be able to make plays, as we saw on Sunday in Washington. He's more than capable, and this offense features some big-time weapons like Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery in the passing game, not to mention the big-bodied, athletic tight end Martellus Bennett. All McCown needs is protection -- it's that simple.

3. Heavy Dose of Matt Forte

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Of course with Cutler out, that means a guy like Matt Forte will be all the more important to this offensive unit. With the way Forte has played in Trestman's system, there is absolutely no reason why he shouldn't touch the ball a minimum of 20 times per game.

The best tool that the Bears can give McCown other than a solid pass protection is a healthy running game to take some pressure off of him. Forte has flourished thus far, racking up a total of 795 yards from scrimmage already to go with six touchdowns on the ground.

To get the offense going early, Forte has to get the ball in his hands. Not only just early in the game, but consistently from there on out will he have to get his touches. Forte must have a minimum of 15-20 carries and at least five to six catches in the passing game -- he is that important. He's just that versatile. He can't be ignored.

There is no reason to believe Trestman won't continue using Forte the way he has to begin the season, but with Cutler out, this aspect of the offense takes priority from here on out. Get Forte the ball, and you will always have a chance to put points on the board.

2. Play Calling Must Be Geared Toward Josh McCown

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Like I said previously, McCown isn't an idiot. He knows what he can do. He knows what he can't do. For that reason alone, Trestman has to call the plays that will best suit McCown. Cutler has the big arm; McCown does not.

On Sunday, McCown was given several plays where he made quick throws outside to his receivers, setting them up with a chance to take a screen a few yards -- and they did. He was given a few plays where he got the ball out in under two seconds, whether it be a quick slant or dump off to his running back.

These are the types of plays that Trestman has to use early on in order to get McCown in a rhythm. He doesn't have the luxury of being a starter in this league for eight years. McCown needs to get his confidence going early and see his receivers catch some quick, short passes. It's almost like a shooter in basketball. Once he sees the ball go in a few times, that confidence grows exponentially.

McCown can put points on the board, just as he did in week seven after Cutler was hurt. The big thing now becomes the play calling. Trestman said he doesn't believe anything is taken out of the playbook now that McCown is the man under center, but he needs to recognize the differences between he and Cutler.

1. Defensive Line Must Turn it Around

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One of the absolute most disgusting sights in all of football this season has been the play of this Bears defensive line. You rarely hear the name Julius Peppers being called on a regular basis. Shea McClellin hasn't played like a first-round pick. On top of that, injuries have dismantled the tackle position.

Without Pro Bowl defensive tackle Henry Melton, the Bears have struggled mightily to stop the run. Not only are they without Melton, but also Nate Collins -- and both for the rest of the season, I'll remind you. Sunday, Robert Griffin III all but had free reign to do whatever he wanted with his offense. That was a tough sight to watch if you're a Bears fan.

If the Bears want to have any shot in the world to keep their opponents from scoring points, the pressure and focal point needs to be on the play of this line up front. Historically, the Bears have always been able to get pressure on the quarterback regardless of who is in the game. They've also been a very good team in terms of stopping the run.

This season? That's not the case. Chicago is averaging just over one sack per game this year, which is unacceptable. They're giving up 117.3 yards per game on the ground, good for 24th in the league -- also unacceptable. It doesn't matter who is on the line, they have got to get more pressure on the quarterback and clog those gaps to stop the run.

If the line can play even just a little bit better, this Bears defense will have a chance to win each and every game without their starting quarterback. You know they can force turnovers, but they can't do it without a solid line. Get that shored up, and that'll be half the battle on defense.