Cutler struggles again as Bears lose to Eagles
It wasn’t a five-interception type of game, but Jay Cutler once again struggled as the Eagles beat the Bears 24-20 on Sunday night.
Cutler finished 24-of-43 for 171 yards with one touchdown and one interception. The interception came on Chicago’s final offensive possession as Cutler was trying to lead the Bears to a game-winning score.
Cutler was trying not to throw interceptions tonight. He seemed overly cautious in his decisions and overthrew three receivers throughout the course of the game that cost Chicago a chance for touchdowns. The most damning overthrow came with just under four minutes remaining when he overshot Johnny Knox, who had beaten Sheldon Brown down the sidelines and could have streaked into the end zone for a go-ahead score.
Cutler and Donovan McNabb shared a nice moment after the game at midfield. McNabb spoke with Cutler at length and while it’s unknown what was said, one could imagine that the Philly QB offered words of encouragement and advice. Once the Bears build him an offensive line, Cutler is going to prosper. But until then, he’s going to suffer these roller coaster moments.
For the Eagles, this was a huge win because the Cowboys and Giants both won as well. This wasn’t a clean victory for Philadelphia by any means (they turned the ball over three times), but youngsters like LeSean McCoy (20 carries, 99 yards, 1 TD) and DeSean Jackson (8 receptions, 107 yards, 1 TD) stepped up and that was key.
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Jay Cutler is my QB and I’m sticking with him. Might be nice to have an O line that can block for both runs and passes. Current line can’t do either. Inexperienced receivers running poor patterns doesn’t help. Brady or Manning would be shaky behind that O line. I’ll keep Cutler, but get rid of the coaching staff especially Smith and Turner. I would love to get Mike Shanahan back with Cutler, but McCaskeys only see sold out soldier field and don’t care about winning. Now we go to Minnesota, this could get ugly…….
I agree the line is costing Chicago wins.
No running game, no protection on passing.
Constant 3rd and 10-12. Terrible.
Plus lets be honest they have no #1 real reciever.
No one has stepped up, not Hester or Bennet.
You can have anyone back there with nobody to block and noone to catch Cutler cant do much.
Why is the o-line and running game an acceptable excuse? It ‘FEELS’ like the general sports media outside of Chicago are giving Cutler (who is touted as elite) a free pass because of his O-line, lack of running game and coaching? Rodgers gets a ton of criticism yet his line is far worse, there isn’t a running back on the Packer roster as talented as Forte and the Packers are the most penalized team in the NFL. There’s a ton of individual effort from Rodgers to make plays and he has, while minimizing turnovers. Why give Cutler a pass?
Mike,
I can only speak for myself and TSR, but I have been critical of Cutler and supportive of Rodgers. You’re right in that Rodgers seems to get more criticized, although I wouldn’t say that Cutler is getting a free pass. I think the national media has hammered him just as much as Rodgers.
But the lack of a running game and a weak offensive line is a decent excuse as to why Cutler is struggling. He seems to be putting everything on his shoulders and that’s a recipe for disaster. If he had more help, you might not see the same mistakes.
I don’t know…the O-line didn’t throw 5 picks against SF and play scared last night. Cutler’s only been sacked once in the last 2 games and last night looked like a guy afraid of losing his job. I agree with DaBear that the coaches need to go, if only for continuing the Hester “experiment”. It’s obvious he doesn’t have professional WR skills and it’s time for him to go back to DB/KR duties. Forte is solid, but with no receiving threat, teams are going to load up on the run.
Simple, Mike, let’s compare wide receivers on the Bears vs. on the Packers. I think the QB’s “individual effort” looks a whole lot better when the likes of Donald Driver, et al are running routes and catching passes when the “stuff” hits the fan.
No one’s giving Cutler a free pass, but have you watched the Bears O line? Enough said.
The Bears o-line didn’t force him to overthrow three wide open receivers last night. Cutler left three TDs on the field last night, including the one to Knox late that could have led to a win.
Everything on the Bears needs to be criticized from the top down. How people thought this was a Super Bowl contender in the preseason is beyond me. The O-line had holes then and obviously still does now. Forte has no running room, Cutler is trying to do too much and has a nasty habit of throwing into coverage, the playcalling has been questionable, etc, etc.
Throw in a couple of key injuries and you have a mess from the top down – plain and simple.
1. Cutler doesnt call the plays.
2. Rodgers line is not worse then Bears, he holds the ball to long like Ben does.
3. Hester lost the ball in his route, yes over thrown but if Hester ran the fade instead of spinning he’d have caught it.
4. Olsens ball hit his fingers, if it hits a WR/TE hands HE needs to catch it, lay out anything to get it.
5. Knox pass was too long bottom line.
As far as what does a line and RB have to do with poor QB play? You obviously dont know much about a NFL offense. Look at the Saints the last few years, they couldnt run so Teams could have the ball for more time and beat them. Clock control, teams putting 8-9 in the box and throwing over is done by fear of the run.
Cutler is to blame for some of the issues.
5 picks in 1 night, yes, 2 bad ones, 3 his recievers should have caught.
The Bears asked him to win a superbowl.
But then they call bad plays and get dumb penalties. Then its up to Cutler to make the day
and save a team whose RB is not as good with out a O-Line and has no second gear top end speed, no #1 WR, the best one is a TE who doesnt give his all?
And for Rodgers,
He has Jennings, Driver two top level WR’s.
They make plays when it counts mostly.
Is cutler supposed to throw it, run the right route, catch it, run with it and score????
Not an Excuse, but lets be real here
Manning, Brees, anyone on that team with the Bears WR and O-line would be no better.
Actually I know quite a bit about football, thank you. There is no comparison (I’ve watched 5 Bears games) in offensive lines between Packers and Bears; Packers are far worse. Also, Rodgers has the longest down-and-distance in the NFL due to being the most penalized team in the NFL (not to mention terrible field position as a byproduct of special teams). Also, Packers wonderful receivers have 26 drops this year……26!!!!
Point is, the difference in receivers doesn’t justify 18 int’s vs. 5 ints.
I don’t hate Culter nor am I a Packer fan. I just see one player with individual effort that’s at least kept the Packers in games because he minimizes turnovers and converts (hightest in the league) on 3rd down. Cutler’s defense has kept them in at least 3-4 games while Culter’s trying to give it away.
I’m not apologizing or demonizing either one, but one QB’s individual effort has his team in the hunt for a wild card while the other is quickly flaming out under the pressure.
Just as a quick aside, all the talk about Cutler lacking a line and weapons: You can esily make a case that he had the best offensive line in the NFL last year with the Broncos in addition to a very, very talented group of wideouts. Epic collapse…… Cutler supports built in the, ‘he didn’t have a running game excuse’ after that collapse. He couldn’t manage a game in the 2nd half last year and made terrible decisions with the ball. Now, doing the same this year, we’re offering up all new excuses, hugh?!?
I think Cutler is still a good QB. He has just lost confidence and is throwing defensively. Trying NOT to throw the pick. He needs to throw the ball to the point – just like practice. A big problem is – the Bears receivers do not create enough seperation. They need help.Lovie should be gone at the end of the year.