adam

Chris Long leaves sideline and no penalty.

So a freaking push off by Cook is not interference?

McClellin no contain on 2 long runs, Anderson also out of position.

Conte called on a DPI on an uncatchable ball, ugh. This game is already out of hand.

Yeah this will be a very interesting game with the news that Jay will be back for the Minnesota game. We desperately need a win with so many teams in the hunt and a loss basically eliminates us. Also, if Josh plays well in a win, does that change anything in terms of contract negotiations with Jay.

We will probably go into Week 17 at 10-5, needing a 2nd win vs GB to make the playoffs. I don't really like that scenario, but that seems to be the most likely. The only other way is if somehow SF falters down the stretch and we finish with the same record but better Conference record and get in at 10-6 as the 2nd WC.

Correct decision? Did you see the play? The Receiver is being held, even if that happened away from the ball, it would still be a penalty for at least illegal contact since he impeded the receiver's progress.

TD, off topic, I love Long's reaction/dance in your sig, lol.

Nasty conditions, penalties, dropped passes, and McCown comes out with no turnovers, a 92.9 QB Rating, and ended the game 9 for 11 after starting 10 for 20. With us going to STL and then MIN the next two weeks, it would make sense to go with Josh again to allow Jay time to completely heal.

Yeah I can't believe how many penalties kept Baltimore drives alive. I guess you can horse collar now by grabbing the shoulder pad and pulling him down from the side.

San Fran? I would rather have NO win so we move into a tie with SF.

You are right, I believe the shorter, lighter off season is contributing to these injuries more than the conditioning program. It is easier to get into game shape over a longer period. They seem to be ramping up too quick.

They are 6-2 in the conference and we are 3-4. I'm not too worried about GB or AZ. AZ will finish at best 9-7, but more than likely 8-8. If GB loses against NYG, they will be 5-5 and would need to run the table to make the playoffs. Our direct competition at this point is DET, CAR, and SF. All 3 have a chance to lose this week. However, if we lose this week, we are essentially eliminated unless we run the table on our last 6.

Might need a new thread starter if we lose this one. Lose this and the season is seriously over, because there is no way we go 6-0 to finish the season. Detroit and Carolina will finish at least 10-6, and have tiebreakers against us, so 11 wins seems like our only shot at this point.

Very interesting, but it seems like injuries are up all around the league this year as well.

Tillman injury is huge with defense already decimated.

Well at least Trestman admits it: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown...33142--nfl.html

I wouldn't say he is that bad. Trestman definitely had a hand in the loss, but it is his first year so I expect some questionable decisions by him. On the 4th down call, he had one vs GB and got it, so for a coach, you are a genius when it works and a dumbass when it doesn't. I agree, I would've rather seen McCown out there in the entire 2nd half, but Cutler is going to stay in until they carry him off on a stretcher. I thought both 2 pt tries were odd, cutting the field in half on the 1st one and a run on the 2nd.

Obviously he has improved but is it enough to commit long term? Like others have said, he will more than likely get the franchise tag and get a 2nd year in this new system.

Cutler left the WAS game 3/8 for 28 yards and a Pick-6. How could he struggle so much vs them on the drives he was in for and others torch them?

Yes, Cutler is the possibly the best QB the franchise has ever had, and the one with the most potential. However, should we be happy with 9-7 or 10-6 for the next 4-5 years if that is all he is going to give us? Backups should work? We are 4-4 when Cutler starts. What is working with the starting QB? This was the no excuse year, and to me he is not living up to the billing and potential.

I agree, I still feel the sample size is too small, but when is it enough? He essentially has 2 full games worth of attempts, and faced 3 different opponents. Of course he is going to have a bad game, almost every QB does. However, when you compare the price vs the performance, it is hard to argue. I don't think any QB is taking this current Bears team to the playoffs or SB this year. We literally have to go 6-1 and our schedule seems to have gotten tougher over night. Baltimore's defense is back, STL just shredded IND, MIN is always a threat with AP, DAL is a tough team, Philly is tough at home, and GB with a healthy Rodgers. We will be lucky to beat CLE and split the other 6 going 4-3 to finish 9-7 and a game or two out of the WC and Division. What about McCown next season with a full offseason to get in sync with WR's, get 1st team reps, wouldn't he be better than he is right now? How could that type of performance not get us to the playoffs, yet Cutler can? The Bears are 3-15 when Cutler throws 2 or more picks and 12-19 when the Defense allows more than 21 pts. So we are more affected by a bad Cutler game than a good one.

Depends on how you define better? Cutler has a higher ceiling and has some physical traits over McCown, but that doesn't always equate to success on the field. The system and the ability to adapt and work within the system, be coached, and correct tendencies and weaknesses are also critical. After seeing McCown over the past 3 games, and Cutler in 8, it just seems that McCown is a better fit for the system.

Well in that case, hell yeah, if we can get anything without any financial liability, that is the way to go.

Carolina just won and has the tie-breaker against us. That puts us essentially 2 games back with 7 to play. Is it possible? Sure, but we have to go 6-1 in our last 7 and they have to go 3-4. That goes for the Division or WC since we have lost all tie-breakers. I don't see them or Detroit losing more than 4, so unless we pull a 6-1 miracle, this game was the dagger. There were two things that happened during the game that you could almost predict before it happened. The Cutler Red zone INT and McCown driving the team down for a TD almost effortlessly. I just wish they would've spread the defense out and allowed McCown to try that 2nd 2pt conversion attempt. Cutting the field in half on the first try was a bad call, and the run into the heart of Detroit's defense on the 2nd attempt was brutal. How about some play action there?