Both red zone attempts ended in interceptions, ridiculous interceptions. Despite triple coverage, Cutler refused to target anyone other than Greg Olsen in the red zone. On several of the picks, some of the blame could be shifted away from Cutler, but anytime you turn the ball over FIVE TIMES you are responsible for the loss. Cutler ended the game with a passer rating of 33.6 while completing 29 of 52 passes for just over 300 yards; that is a bad game by any standard. Turnovers weren't their only problem, Chicago also had ten penalties for 75 yards.
I'll try to focus on the positive now. It was good to see the defense play well; any time you only allow 10 points when the offense turns the ball over 5 times, you have to be pleased. San Francisco accumulated only 216 yards, 110 on the ground.
I was extremely impressed with the defensive line, particularly Tommie Harris. He and fellow tackle, Marcus Harrison, each registered a sack, Harris also had two tackles for loss. Harris was getting a good jump of the line of scrimmage, helping to disrupt running lanes and helping collapse the pocket. Almost every time Alex Smith dropped back he was under duress. It was encouraging to see how the line, and the defense as a whole responded to Vernon Davis' comments; they played with a passion that hasn't been around since 2006.
Back to the negative...
I called this game a must-win, and I don't feel that was hyperbole. Chicago may have just played itself out of the playoff race. The Bears are now in line behind five teams vying for the two wild card slots: Philadelphia (5-3), Atlanta (5-3), New York Giants (5-4), Green Bay (4-4), and San Francisco (4-5).
note: The Packers and 49ers both own the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Bears
Needless to say, the Bears playoff chances are slim.
No comments:
Post a Comment