Despite almost pulling out a win over Green Bay, while playing like garbage, the Bears and moreover Cutler became the media' s favorite whooping boy. I'd like to see them try to rationalize this one. The Bears ground out this game and Cutler has yet to be outplayed by a QB. He played better than a lot of people's MVP pick and he didn't get outplayed by Big Ben.
It is ugly at times, but you can see that there is something brewing in the Windy City. They still have holes that they need to fill and things they need to work out, but it's there.
Jay Cutler threw 27 for 38 for 236, 2TDs and 0 INTs for a Bear staggering 104.7 QB rating. The Bears run game once again proved to be next to useless though they have some good plays towards the end of the game, but Forte and the line are not getting it done.
It was just assumed that Hester was going to become our down field threat, but lookey lookey at what is happening. Rookie Johnny Knox is becoming our speed receiver and Hester is turning into a great possession receiver?!? Knox had 6 receptions for 70 yards and a TD and Hester had 4 for 21. We also started to see a little of this Cutler/Olsen chemistry we kept hearing about. Olsen had 3 catches for 31 yards. Kellen Davis also had 5 for 38 and a TD. I wonder if this might turn out to be Desmond Clark's last year.
Our defense played bad at times and had some lucky penalties called on the Pittsburgh offense, but they played tough and made the stops they needed for this win to happen. We have a lot of young guys playing, they will get better as the year goes on. Al Afalava already looks like he is the real deal. Jerry Angelo strikes again in the late rounds. Lance Briggs led the team with 8 tackles. Charles Tillman added to his takeaway total with an interception. I don't know how much was due to the pressure the Bears were bringing, but it seemed they bottled up Big Ben a bit. He wasn't getting away from the Bears as much as he seems to do on a week to week basis.
With the Bengals pulling off the unexpected victory against the Packers, the Bears find themselves one game back of only the Vikings.