Cutler leads Bears to 25-19 win in Seattle

It was tougher than it should have been, but the Chicago Bears left Seattle with a 25-19 victory over the Seahawks. Despite a Jay Cutler interception and fumble, the Bears found a way to win. After three heart attacks and defibrillator attention, I found a way to write this story. 

After getting great field position on the opening drive, Robbie Gould missed a field goal, giving the Seahawks good field position of their own. Driving the ball down the field, back-up QB Seneca Wallace dropped the ball off to running back Julius Jones who broke two Bear tackles en route to a 39-yard touchdown. Two Olindo Mare field goals put Seattle up 13-0 with five minutes left in the first half.  

Pushing the attack, the Bears were closing in on a score when Matt Forte fumbled the ball reaching for the goal line. Not to be a buzz-kill, but I have NO idea what replay the refs got when they reversed the call. Whatever the case, Lovie Smith tossed the challenge flag and won, giving Cutler a chance to hit Greg Olsen in the endzone to put the Bears on the scoreboard at the end of the half.  

A Houshmandzadeh fumble on Seattle’s opening drive of the second half led to Chicago’s second TD, giving them a one-point lead. The offense was back in rhythm after struggling in the opening quarters. Devin Hester’s game-winning touchdown proved why he should be a wide receiver. He can make one person miss (in this case it was two) and take it to the house. Johnny Knox’s increased role on offense and special teams should take some pressure of Hester’s back as well.

Switching to warp speed! 

For the second straight week, the Bears were given two gifts in the form of missed field goals, this time from Olindo Mare. I suspect hardcore bribing. (Though in all honesty, Mare has never been super-reliable.) Seattle head coach Jim More RIPPED his kicker after the game, leaving little doubt that Mare will be finding a new job. Oh yeah, in spite of all his talk, T.J. Houshmandzadeh only caught four passes for 35 yards. Nice job buddy.

 
Ha. 

Two takeaways in the second half helped the Bears either maintain their lead or quickly regain it. Lance Briggs’ diving interception and Danieal Manning’s strip were just more examples of this team’s never-ending ability to get turnovers. 

One of my sticking points this week is Matt Forte’s sudden case of fumblitis. In 379 touches last season he had only one fumble. In only three games this season he’s already coughed it up three times. That is unacceptable. While the running game was better today, Forte’s 66 yards on 21 carries won’t get it done late in the season. This lack of production is becoming an alarming priority. 

As always at Qwest Field, opposing offenses will commit false starts, and the Bears were no exception, with three to their detriment. The offensive line needs to protect Cutler infinitely better, because his fumble and interception is directly linked to pressure to his blindside or back. Now that we have a franchise QB, we need to keep him healthy and upright.

Lovie's squad had plenty of trouble defensively on Sunday. Julis Jones ran like a man possessed, running over Bear defenders on every play. Missed tackles were abundant and appalling. Wallace's mobility showed itself time and again, evading Chicago's pass rush. Losing to a team missing nine starters would have been more than embarassing. The Bears had no business losing this game, but the Seahawks played their hearts out. Jim Mora is a good coach, I'm convinced.  

Hunter Hillenmeyer left the game with a rib injury, leaving Nick Roach to slide over from the strong side spot (where he was filling in for Pisa Tinoisamoa) to the middle. Jamar Williams came in behind him on the strong side. Pisa may be healthy enough to play next week against the Lions and Hunter didn’t seem to be too worse for wear, so we shouldn’t panic about the depth at linebacker yet.  

Let us bask in the win for a day then focus on the Lions, who have started a new streak with a win over the Redskins.  As always, Happy Jay Cutler day.