What would you consider a successful 2014 Chicago Bears season?

What do you expect the Chicago Bears to do this season? Last year I was vocal about the 2013 season being a failure if the team couldn't build off Lovie's 10-6 2012 season and make the playoffs. First year head coach Marc Trestman turned Chicago's offense around, but no one could have predicted so many injuries on the defensive side of the ball.

An 8-8 season was disappointing, but the Bears were just one game away from the playoffs.

I think the Bears need to make the playoffs this season, anything less I'd consider another failure. Injuries happen in the NFL, good teams overcome them. The Bears didn't have the depth needed to overcome them last year, hence they were what their record says they were. Average.

As Sam pointed out a couple weeks ago -- Bears in better position to succeed with injuries in 2014 -- GM Phil Emery has done a good job not only addressing the needs of the team, but in filling the bottom of the depth chart with more talent. Time will tell just how good a job he did.

While I'd obviously love the Bears to win it all this year, I think I'd be OK if they simply made the playoffs as a wildcard. Maybe I'm placing my expectations too low, but for a team that has only made the playoffs one time since the 2006 Super Bowl team, I'd be satisfied with some post season action.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love the Bears to be a perennial Super Bowl contender, but in order to get to that point, they need to make the first step.

The Green Bay Packers are still the class of the NFC North until proven otherwise. The Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings will probably be better this season, which will make the journey to the playoffs that much tougher on Marc Trestman and the Bears.

What would you consider a successful 2014 Chicago Bears season?

A winning record? The NFC North title? The NFC Championship? The Super Bowl? Sound off in the comment section.