15 on 6: Cutler still in pursuit of perfection

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Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010
7:07 PM

By Jim Miller
CSNChicago.com

It's easy to travel back from Toronto feeling good about a Bears victory.

Defense preserved a win and the offense converted 58 percent of their third downs along with scoring down in the redzone when goal to goal situations arise.

Lovie Smith nailed it in his postgame press conference, "it's a good place to start for growth". The bears were balanced running and passing, but your imagination runs wild what they are capable of - if or when - they put it all together.

Jay's stats look nice: 97 rating, 2 TD's, 17-for-30 for 188 yards, but he should have shredded the Bills and their last ranked defense. He was inaccurate with some throws which should have been easy completions and made some ill-advised passes as well. Throwing the ball late to Greg Olsen on a middle read when he was triple covered is just never going to be a good outcome. Jay is lucky to be playing the Bills on that play, whose lone interception this year is by linebacker Andra Davis, and he did not even suit up on Sunday.

I only bring this decision up because the bears left points on the board again! The following play, Robbie Gould missed a 42-yard field goal.

When you are struggling offensively, points are at a premium and jay needs to respect that.

Jay nicely tucked it and ran several times earlier in the game and this situation called for it as well. The bills dropped eight into coverage and were playing prevent almost daring Jay to dump it off and kick a field goal. If he just tucks it and runs, he gets 5-10 yards and Robbie is kicking a 32 yarder instead. A good defense intercepts that throw and Robbie would not of even run onto the field.

Clean it up

A lot of positives, but Mike Martz cannot let a win cloud what Jay needs to correct.

Poor footwork and three poor decisions are all correctable. A 188-yard game should have been 250. A nail biter should have been blown open.

The pursuit for the perfect game continues.

Jim Miller, an 11-year former NFL quarterback, is a Comcast SportsNet Bears analyst who can be seen each week on U.S. Cellular Bears Postgame Live. Miller, who spent five seasons with the Bears, analyzes current Chicago QB Jay Cutler in his "15 on 6" blog on CSNChicago.com and can be followed on Twitter @15miller.

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