“I think there’s a big difference in what we’re doing offensively. “This is a totally different scheme and mentality and direction that we’re going offensively. There would be no advantage for them watching tape of last year of what we did. It’s totally different. I think they understand that.” – Jay Cutler, Tuesday September 11th
Big talk from the Bears big QB turned into bit problems on Thursday night, as the Packers showed their week one loss was more of a bump in the road than a major setback, as Green Bay pounded the Bears 23-10.
The score was secondary to the bruises that Cutler will wake up with on Friday. His body and ego was bruised, as he should be having nightmares about Packers LB Clay Matthews.
Matthews pounded Cutler for 3.5 sacks, and the Packers D stood up and made a statement. Cutler was held to 11 for 27 for 126 yards, and he threw four interceptions, including a pair to Tramon Williams.
Facing a fierce Packers pass rush all night, Cutler was sacked seven times. Wide receiver Brandon Marshall was held to two catches for 24 yards, not able to get off the ball most of the night.
He and the Bears offense is not nearly as bad as it appeared on Thursday night in front of Cheeseheads, but Chicago needs to get their egos in check, knowing they have a lot of work ahead before they can put themselves on par with the Packers.
“Clay was incredible,” Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said. “Defense causing turnovers, if they play like this we’re going to be hard to beat.”
The Bears came into 2012 with high expectations for a beefed-up passing attack, and the arrival of Marshall was a hit right away in the 41 points they scored against the Colts last week.
Thursday, they came down the earth in a hurry with Matthew’s blonde locks slamming Cutler on a number of occasions in the 13-point Bears loss.
Chicago will be back, and they still may be the best team in the NFC in 2012. Thursday night should have showed them one thing – they have a long, long way to go to getting there.