The Bears offensive issues go deeper into crisis mode after Jay Cutler throws is intercepted on the first possession and the Minnesota Vikings are up 14-0 after 5-plus minutes with the resulting and an early Adrian Peterson assault. The fourth loss in the last five games drops the Bears to the No. 6 seed with three to play but with Dallas and Washington now threatening from below and no signs of positives pointing to a turnaround.
A season nearing the brink after last weeks home loss to Seattle is now squarely hovering on it.
Indianapolis Colts (9-4) W 41-21
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Balanced identity established with 33-35 run pass ratio and O runs up 428 yards with Jay Cutler throwing for 333 yards and 2 TDs to go with rushing TDs by Michael Bush (2) and Matt Forte (1) as part of 122 rushing yards. Nice to have caught this team while Andrew Luck was still a puppy.
@ Green Bay Packers (9-4) L 23-10
Jay Cutler berates offensive linemen on national TV for seven sacks; linemen just have to accept Cutlers four INTs apparently. Embarrassing offensive performance all around as defense holds Aaron Rodgers and Pack to 3 FGs and one TD.
St. Louis Rams (6-6-1) W 23-6
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Defense sacks Sam Bradford six times and holds Rams out of the end zone. Offense scores only one TD for the second week in a row and Jay Cutler continues to find a groove with receivers.
@ Dallas Cowboys (7-6) W 34-18
Five interceptions of Tony Romo, two returned for TDs (Briggs, Tillman) and a workmanlike 360 yards on offense produce a crucial road win on MNF against the most overrated (annually) team in the NFL.
@ Jacksonville Jaguars (2-11) W 41-3
Bears offense runs up 501 balanced yards (214 rush, 287 pass) and explodes after a sluggish first half. Briggs and Tillman make NFL history with TD interceptions for second straight week and Brandon Marshall puts up 144 yards on 12 catches.
Sun., Oct. 14 Off week
vs. Detroit Lions (4-9) W 13-7
Jay Cutler sacked five times and survives Ndamukong Suhs WWF takedown. Bears RBs net 132 yards as run game clicks. Offense cant put Lions away but Charles Tillman D on Calvin Johnson virtually locks Bears DB into a 2nd Pro Bowl.
vs. Carolina Panthers (4-9) W 23-22
Robbie Gould 41-yard FG as time expires caps 16-point fourth quarter and rally from 19-7 deficit. Offense and defense struggle badly for three quarters but Kellen Davis catches TD pass and Tim Jennings TD return to turn back Cam Newton and reeling Ron Rivera team.
@ Tennessee Titans (4-9) W 51-20
Charles Tillmans bid for defensive player of the year got a boost from four forced fumbles, Brian Urlacher returned an INT for a touchdown and Corey Wootton scored on a blocked punt. Jay Cutler throws three TDs to Brandon Marshall in a game Bears led 28-2 after one quarter.
Houston Texans (11-1MNF) L 13-6
Jay Cutler goes out with concussion and offense improves with Jason Campbell. But too many wasted chances with good field positions with 2 INTs and 2 lost fumbles. Arian Foster rushes for 102 but Bears adjust to control Texans offense in second half.
@ San Francisco 49ers (9-3-1) L 32-7
Jason Campbell cannot survive an abysmal performance by the offensive line, allowing 5.5 sacks to Aldon Smith, while the defense makes an instant star out of Colin Kaepernick in his first NFL start.
Vikings (7-6) W 28-10
Jay Cutler returns from his concussion, completes 15 of 17 in the first half as the Bears get up 25-3 and cruise. Adrian Peterson loses to fumbles, Chris Conte intercepts Christian Ponder, and the offense turns the takeaways into 14 points.
Seattle Seahawks (7-6) L 23-17
Defense allows 459 yards as Russell Wilson runs them ragged on TD drives of 97 and 80 yards for an overtime win. Bears squander numerous chances for stops and fail to convert an early fourth down vs. taking a safe FG.
@ Minnesota Vikings (7-6) L 21-14
Jay Cutler throws 2 INTs to hand the Vikings 14 points. Adrian Peterson rushes for 156 and 2 TDs but defense holds up with out Urlacher, Jennings, Paea. Offensive drops and execution continue down-spiral.
Green Bay Packers (9-4) Sun., Dec. 16, noon
Packers spot Detroit a 14-0 lead but continue playing like a division champion. Aaron Rodgers and defense combine to put away a bad team. Next: BEARS
@ Arizona Cardinals (4-9) Sun., Dec. 23, 3:15 p.m.
Housecleaning likely after ninth straight loss, this one 56-0to Seattle. Nothing good growing in the desert at this point. Next: vs. Detroit
@ Detroit Lions (4-9) Sun., Dec. 30, noon
Fifth straight loss, this time to Green Bay as Matthew Stafford gives away a TD with an unforced fumble and throws away another scoring chance with an INT. Next: @ Arizona