“At this point in my career, we can’t change anything that’s happened in the past six years”, Cutler said.
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Not a victory for the Bears, but they are not as bad as they were advertised.
Ultimately it wasn’t enough.
Here’s what shocked us and what looked all too familiar.
Bears wideouts get an incomplete as it was great to see Alshon Jeffery, Eddie Royal and Marquess Wilson all out there but it seems clear none of them were near 100 percent. That never materialized. The game was in hand, there for the Bears to win it. They could not finish their drives with touchdowns, having to settle for three field goals.
Gase wisely built his offense to limit the number of hard throws Cutler would have to make. Our opponent looks like one of the better teams in our division so we have to take advantages of our opportunities offensively and play tough, aggressive defense to limit their scoring chances. Despite a harness and additional padding, he knew that despite his best efforts to avoid direct contact, he’d be playing in pain much of the afternoon. At least he didn’t tear his ACL during the celebration.
While Rodgers won his second league MVP award last season, a torn calf muscle sapped some of his playmaking ability during December and January. Naturally it led to a Green Bay touchdown. “The more catches I had, the more hits I took, I tried to dodge them the best I could”, said Cobb, who practiced on a limited basis all week and had vowed all along to play in the game. With his 28-yard boot in the first quarter, he broke the franchise record for field goals made with 244, passing Kevin Butler. Forte is clearly a vital piece in the Bears’ offense once again this season. He’s equally as effective in the real world.
Bears running back Matt Forte gained 141 yards rushing – 105 of those yards in the first half – and the Bears converted 11 of 17 third-down attempts.
Long gave up a sack and allowed defenders to beat him, while going after quarterback Jay Cutler. “He does so many things well…. That just goes to show the mentality this staff is instilling in us”. Rodgers did find star receiver Randall Cobb for a touchdown as well, but Jones picked up where he left off as one of Rodgers’ favorite targets. Forte was superb. He made a case to be the NFC Player of the Week with his all-around performance. “We’ll try to do what we need to do within a game”.
One man who appreciated that is Matt Forte who rushed for 159 yards on 24 carries with a touchdown. With Chicago’s Alan Ball draped all over him, James Jones jumped and trapped Rodgers’ 13-yard pass against his chest with his left arm and held on as he tumbled to the turf. Maybe it’s harsh to put the failure to complete drives all on him, but he is the quarterback.
“I played for John Fox for eight years, so I expected that would be the game plan”, Peppers said. “Let that last one go, which I’m probably not going to be able to sleep tonight about, but glad we got the win”.
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Chicago was driving for what could have been a game-tying score, but Cutler was intercepted by Green Bay linebacker Clay Matthews.
