Chicago Bears “improve” but results are the same

For a player that turned the ball over 27 times a year ago, this would be seen as somewhat of a victory. ESPN actually had the Chicago Bears generously ranked 25th.

If the Bears can maintain that patient approach, or, more precisely, if Cutler stays the course, the wins are going to come.

The Packers host Seattle on Sunday night. Advanced statistics site Pro Football Focus had the Packers for seven missed tackles on the day, but coach Mike McCarthy said Monday that the number was “in double digits”. You didn’t see that past year . Long did well at times, while struggling during other moments. But he also committed some miscues in pass protection. Long did not adjust quick enough to block a couple of edge rushers. He positioned his body to land away from the injured right shoulder.

Fox, who coached Carolina and Denver to Super Bowls, promised more emphasis on the run.

Cutler looked good as a game manager for most of the game, but when called upon to make plays late in the game, his tendency for turnovers got the best of him. We ran the ball well. With his 28-yard boot in the first quarter, he broke the franchise record for field goals made with 244, passing Kevin Butler. Cutler was also sacked twice, almost turning the ball over early in the game on a sack by Julius Peppers. Cutler threw to Forte for 5 yards.

I know the majority of you are going to focus on the interception Jay Cutler threw to Clay Matthews with 3:55 left in the game. Two plays later, Jacquizz Rodgers rushed for a first down at the Packers 43.

The Packers showed up, played a consistently strong game from kickoff to conclusion by scoring in every quarter, holding the Bears scoreless in the fourth quarter until 34 seconds remained, and most importantly not turning over the ball (penalties are another matter, 10 for 74 yards). The fact that he has a managed to win even one of the 13 meetings might be the bigger surprise.

Chicago led the game in total yards gained and time of possession. A seemingly crushing blow, but at least they had the Packers backed all the way up. 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.

Questions about the defensive end was answered.

The Packers spend time in practice working on tackling form, but it hasn’t translated to the games.

Aaron Rodgers had three touchdown passes – two to the newly re-acquired James Jones. He was used at inside and outside linebacker, and as a pass defender and pass rusher.

How do you celebrate the Bears?

On third-and-4, Jay Cutler hit Alshon Jeffery on a drag route over the middle for 25 yards to the Packers 12.

“We can play with anybody”.

“Green Bay is a pretty good football team”, Fox said. All that said, Jones does seem to have a line on the end zone. “I mean, it’s nothing they did”. I thought the fans were great.

The Bears did what they had said they would do.