For all practical purposes, Cutler's injury signaled a difficult road to the playoffs. Forte's knee sprain dealt the death blow. It's been three weeks since Cutler went down. Three weeks and three losses. They've scored 33 points in those three games, an 11.0 average per game. QB Caleb Hanie has been a bust. His inefficient play and the amount of time the defense is being asked to play is indefensible. On the horizon for the remaining three games of the season are a home game with the Seattle Seahawks and road games at Green Bay and Minnesota on Christmas and New Year's Day.
I think it's time to go back to an earlier post of mine on April 4 about the Bears and the upcoming year:
"If you're a Chicago Bears fan, you'd better brace yourself for some tough times in the 2011-12 season (last regular season game is on January 1st). From all appearances today, it could be an ugly year and one that will be tough for the "hard-core" Chicago fan to embrace. Call it what you will, but last season's 11 wins came as much from the easy schedule than how good they were".
Some critics would say the Bears were well on their way to the postseason before the injury bug bit them. I'm not sold on that idea. Granted they had reeled off five wins in a row before Cutler got hurt. However, in their seven wins in 2011 only one has been against a team certain to make the playoffs, the Atlanta Falcons in the opening game of the season. We speculated on the schedule back in April:
"How many wins you see there, Bear fans? Last year, Chicago beat Detroit and Minnesota twice. That's not going to happen again this year. The Lions will probably finish ahead of the Bears in the division race. Detroit is a fast improving team that simply needs to know "how to win" and Minnesota is always a pain in the Bear's behind. Chicago won 5 games in the division last year, this year they'll be fortunate to win 3. In looking at the remainder of the schedule, I can see 4 more wins, realistically. So, that would equate to a 7-9 season".
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| Overcoming injuries wasn't possible |
As I look at the remainder of the schedule, I'm not certain of any wins. The Seahawks have been playing inspired ball lately, the Packers are busy running the table to perfection and then there is the big nemesis in the dome, the Vikings. Comcast contributor John "Moon" Mullin wrote this week of the injury situation of this year's team. Mullin suggested the Bears had done a good job of "masking" their deficiencies on the roster until the bug hit....and then the Bears were exposed to the old, inexperienced unit that they are. By comparison, the defending Super Bowl Champion Packers had fifteen players on injury reserve in 2010. Granted they didn't lose their starting quarterback but they had the players to overcome injuries ....time and time again.
Wednesday, Bears head coach Lovie Smith suggested Matt Forte might play this weekend against the Seahawks. If I'm Forte, I'm in no big hurry to get back on the field considering how Bears management has diddled with his contract situation all year. If he indeed is healthy, that's one matter, but if he is marginal, then stay sitting. The life of an NFL running back is very short and Forte has earned the right to get a least one big payday.
Bears fans.....it wasn't easy to have reservations about this team. Hey, I'm one of you, but I had this feeling about 2011. The team has gotten old and it has very little upside. Is a house cleaning in order? Most definitely...starting with General Manager Jerry Angelo right on down the line.
These last three games of the season are going to be hard to watch. It's a good thing hibernation time is upon us.....GO BEARS.
Thanks for reading,
John
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