Thread: 6-1. It sure feels good.

What's weird about this game was that as much as our offense malfunctioned, as long as the Panthers kept getting field goals, I was not worried the game had gotten out of control. When we got that pick 6, I felt the game was in the bag even after Carolina scoring another field goal.

Cutler did great when he needed to. I don't know if it was his ribs that was causing his inaccuracy early, but as soon as we went into that last two minutes, it all came together.

Originally Posted by weneedmorelinemen

What's weird about this game was that as much as our offense malfunctioned, as long as the Panthers kept getting field goals, I was not worried the game had gotten out of control. When we got that pick 6, I felt the game was in the bag even after Carolina scoring another field goal.

Cutler did great when he needed to. I don't know if it was his ribs that was causing his inaccuracy early, but as soon as we went into that last two minutes, it all came together.

It seemed like that the Bears were not willing to hit the short slants until late in the game. Everyone knows that the line is the problem in the passing game (this line is a much better run blocking line) and they were unwilling to get the ball out of Cutler's hands before the Panthers d-line could reach him.

I really believe that this team is only going to go as far as this offensive line is going to take them. From the beginning of the season I began watching the Bears offense (and other teams) from their offensive lines. I even noticed with the Packers (their line is much better than ours) that they were unwilling to take the short slants the first few games and this was the reason as to why they lost; Rodgers was holding onto the ball way too long. In the NFL this year it is hard to say if there are any teams with a truly good line, but the Bears line is far below average and until they recognize it they are going to struggle on offense.

Originally Posted by Jimmors

I only say this because we are comparing this game to the 2006 Cardinals Crown their Ass game. And to me...THAT was a game that was won by heart. Our defense and ST went above and beyond to win that game for us, IN SPITE of our offense. (Mike Brown comes to mind as the hero of that game, a player who is the embodiment of "heart"). This game is slightly similar, but only in the fact that we basically won a game we had no right to win, based off of a few last minute scores that put us ahead.

To contrast this game with the Cardinals game, the 2006 Bears had an offensive line that could block and Grossman could not get anything done. This game both sides of the ball were sputtering, but the offense a lot more than the defense (the defense could at least hold the Panthers to field goals). If there is one thing that I can say this season is completely different is that Cutler can march the offense down the field to get the win (except the Packers game he was terrible). I do not believe that our quarterback will cost us the Super Bowl if we get there this year unlike 2006, it will be the offensive line. I am not saying Cutler is Peyton Manning or Tom Brady, but our defense is that good that our offense only needs to be top-10.

The jury is not out on Cutler until an average line is provided for him. We have taken other teams cast offs and 7th round picks to block for him. At the very least we have a top-15 quarterback with an upside of top-5 with an adequate line.

Originally Posted by XaosGorilla

Something happened to cutler on the bears second possession, looks like his face mask was driven into the back of his left hand during a sack. He stood up, wobbled 7-10 yards towards the end zone, turned around and was flexing his hand as he walked back to the huddle. He may have played hurt, or at least with a stinger or something....

The offense seemed to get a little something going mid third quarter, but it ended with the missed Field Goal. Before that, the game was frustrating to watch, but that just felt like the football gods had decreed that this game would be a loss. But the gods taketh away and they giveth. The panthers go for a sideline kick, but shank it, and the wind carries it back toward the line of scrimmage. A six yard punt.... Soon followed by a 17(?) yard laser to KD, thought he was gonna drop the darn thing. I'm thinking: "Now we need our defense to stop them again.", and then... Smith slips, Jennings gets an easy pick six. After that, you could just feel that the Bears were going to win... After the winning field goal, I could hear the bears fight song being sung in the stadium through my TV...

Okay, I'm going to put my emotions away now.....

I had forgotten about that. I wonder just how injured he really was on that play. That would certainly explain the poor throws if it took till late in the third to wear off. A cold wind can sure make an injury seem worse than it is.