Bears coach Lovie Smith's record fell to 7-4 after Sunday's loss in Green Bay.
UPDATED: What a nightmarish debut for Jay Cutler, who was intercepted a career-worst four times and often seemed flustered and angry during a 21-15 loss to the Packers. Thanks to a stellar defensive effort, the Bears still were in position to win, leading 15-13 with under two minutes to go. But Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers hooked up with Greg Jennings on a third-and-one play, burning cornerback Nate Vasher on a game-winning 50-yard TD pass with 1:11 remaining. Even worse, the Bears lost Brian Urlacher to a dislocated wrist and his status is uncertain for next Sunday's home opener vs. Pittsburgh.
Let's hear your thoughts, observations, frustrations and analysis on what happened in Green Bay and what it means for the Bears going forward.
PREGAME: At last, we've arrived at Day 1 of the official Jay Cutler Era, and what better setting than Lambeau Field in a nationally televised Sunday night game! The FCP faithful are on the record with their predictions for the Bears' season, but if you haven't already made your call on the outcome of tonight's game, let's hear it now.
I put this game in the "W" column when I did my game-by-game forecast of the Bears season, and I'm sticking with it despite the fact that Vegas loves the Packers (the line has moved in Green Bay's favor -- originally favored by 3 1/2, the Pack is now a four-point pick). Green Bay was impressive in the preseason, but I feel like the Bears held a lot back in their warmup games and will put on a good show tonight. My pick: Bears 27, Pack 24.
Since it's a night game and we'll be scrambling in the office to get a newspaper out, I won't be posting any thoughts about the game before Monday. But this board will be open all day and throughout tonight's game, so send in your predictions, observations, exhortations and frustrations as the game progresses.
i think the bears win 30-17 cutler pass for over 300 yards. Bennett has huge night with 7 catches for 103 yards.Matt Forte rushes for over 100 yards tonight against the Packers
Vikings look pretty good. Orton should go right out and buy a lottery ticket! I hope the Bears go up there and get this "W". Not going to be easy.
Wrong on all counts. 41-17 Pack
yes...please...post your frustrations
GB-49
CHI-13
30-23 Bears. Cutler 17-24 289 Forte 22-118 Hester 3-75 Bennett 7 105 Olsen 8-88
hmmmmmmm..........not one person up here believes the Packers will
lose. These cheese heads are pretty 'realistic', and would most
certainly admit defeat if they thought the pack even had a slim
chance of losing....and most certainly did not appreciate my hunmor,
when I asked them which of Aaron Rodger's playoff games were their favorite. Nor did they realize that the Bears have never started a QB
with a career win percentage (1 season or more) of 30% or less(Rodgers= 30%)......I don't see the Packers D getting fixed over night with a new coordinator....that really takes time....I am thinking the Bears will win.
GOOOOOOOOOOO BEARSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have a bad feeling we get spanked big time tonight, hope I am wrong Go Bears.
Bears win 23-20 Pack
Either Cutler or Turner have a huge problem. He had better throw that ball for some real routes. This crap is what Orton could run. Lets see the ARM!
FTN - Fire Turner NOW! :(
Its just one game, but many questions were answered tonight. Thank Goodness the defense has improved. We are going to have a chance to win every game. But Cutler has to step up!
Cutler just ruined everyone's Monday. Cutler was SCARED early. Offensive line didn't kick in until the second half. Secondary still weak. And don't blame the game on that stupid Wolfe play. Tired of him btw. Time to let him go. That MLB hurdling over his head was the nail in his coffin. Yall see why we need some REAL receivers??? When Hester is your best receiver, you are in trouble. Ogunleye is the only guy getting pressure. Sad. Ur-LACK-er didn't look like his old self to me.
Granted, Cutler had a bad game. However, our receivers and their route running or lack of football I.Q. caused three of those interceptions. Johnny Knox was as undressed as a receiver as Nate Vasher was as a CB on that winning play for Green Bay.
The defense played admirably especially shorthanded as the game wore on. I hope Urlacher's o.k.
Lovie actually made halftime adjustments!!! Good for him!
I'm sure that Hitman will have his day, but I will not give up on Jay Cutler after one game. He still did things that Rex or Kyle couldn't do IN A BAD GAME! Our O-line was really manhandled by an ultra-aggressive Pack defense. Maybe Omiyale shouldn't be playing. I also wonder about Pace. How 'bout some run blocking as well? The entire offense should take the blame. Oh, and why didn't we score a TD the last time down? To me, that was totally Turner. That TD was necessary, but it was just too much for us apparently. Why didn't our TE keep running wide in the end zone on that earlier drive: EASY TD! Our tight ends were non-existent. Why not throw to Forte in the flat when they're blitzing like that? Not one time did that happen!
What was up with that snap from Mannelly to Wolfe on that punt?
Cut Nate Vasher.
Fire Darrell Drake, the receiver's coach. His receivers require way too much time to develop if at all. I'm willing to give Turner more time, but he's on probation. We do need a better O-line and receivers apparently. I guess the national experts were right?
This game was winnable, but...
the front seven looked serviceable...D should get used to getting burned by the big play, tho
I've said all this...blah blah blah
LOL.Matt Jones?
I did have a Tom Rathman flashback watching McKie
it went away
Culzie, TJ has doubled your predicted TD total in week one...and he's 400 yards away from your obliteration
and Kyle's TD pass was dedicated to you, big guy
doink ........screw you!!!
I think the Jets have another Broadway Joe....Cool
LETS-GO-RAI-DERS
My biggest problem with yesterday's Bears loss was the fact that they completely abandoned the running game.
I never thought I'd say this but I wish Ron Turner would have called a more conservative game. They were putting tons of pressure on Rodgers and could have controlled field position. But what ended up happening is that Cutler got impatient and just started slinging the ball all over.
Not all those picks were solely his fault, but on the road and in your first game with completely new players/offense, they will need some time to get acclimated to each other. Going forward, as long as the Bears learn from these mistakes, I still feel that they will have a successful year.
Bad news...Urlacher is out for the year.
Get Madden in here right now! And whoever you are ... YOU'RE FIRED!
What's Stabler doing in the game? I'm not paying Lamonica to sit there icing his shoulder!!!
Something smells funny here. I have this warm, wet feeling in my BVD's. Somebody bring me the refrigerator ... I have to poop!
2 things for sure, #1 jay cutler will play better, #2 lovie smith will not coach better, as long as lovie smith is the coach of the bears the heartaches will continue to follow
Tim Q:
After reading reports of the game, it appears that Lovie did indeed call a good defensive game. It was Ron Turner who dropped the ball on his end.
Overall I understand that Lovie is responsible for what happens on both sides of the ball, and to his credit I did see some improvement on defense.
It really hurts me to say that, because I want him run out of town on a rail, regardless!