Besides Injuries, Jay Cutler Battling History vs Packers on Sunday
Jan 23, 2011; Chicago, IL, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) hugs Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) after the 2011 NFC championship game at Soldier Field. The Packers won 21-14. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports
Look no further than the guys under center on Sunday to figure out the outcome of the Bears vs Packers game. The Packers are the winners of the last 5 games against the Bears including the 2011 NFC Championship game. It shouldn’t come as any surprise that Jay Cutler is 1-6 in his career vs the Packers while Aaron Rodgers is 7-2.
Jay Cutler will not only be battling a stiff neck and a recently uncovered sprained MCL, but he’ll be battling history. He’s had a rough go of it against the Packers and that doesn’t bode well for the Bears.
Jay needs to take a good long look in the mirror when it comes to the Bears results against the Packers. He’s completed 55% of his passes for 1567 yards with 8 TD’s and 15 INT’s. Jay has that gunslinger attitude and the Packers are very familiar with that type of player and know just how to beat it.
Following the Week 2 win over the Bears, Packers safety Charles Woodson, who will miss this Sunday’s contest, responded to Jay wishing them “good luck” in stopping Brandon Marshall:
"“Heard some talk out of the Bears: Packers secondary not working coverage, bigger receivers … we heard about it,” Woodson told ESPN’s Rachel Nichols after the game. “We understand that Jay is excited about his new weapons, but it’s the same-old Jay. We don’t need luck; Jay will throw us the ball.”"
I feel like Jay Cutler needs a major shake up like when Rocky Balboa going against Apollo Creed in Rocky II. Rocky’s trainer Mick convinces Rocky to change from his signature southpaw fighting style to fight right handed in his rematch against the champ to confuse him. Jay needs to change his approach to the Packers because what he’s been doing so far hasn’t been working.
In the Week 2 matchup, the Packers took Brandon Marshall completely out of the game, limiting him to just 2 catches for 24 yards, one of only three games this season where he didn’t get 80+ yards receiving. The Bears are a different team right now and have a better understanding of their identity. They won’t make the mistake of leaving J’Marcus Webb stranded on an island with Clay Matthews. That approach led to a 7-sack night for Jay.
In order to keep the Bears’ chances for a division title alive, they’ll need Jay Cutler to overcome his injuries and his history to beat Green Bay. He’ll need to come full circle, from the sprained MCL suffered in the NFC Championship Game beyond this latest bum knee to the Jay Cutler that led the Bears to a 7-1 record earlier this season. If he can’t, the Packers will claim the NFC North at Soldier Field on Sunday and put the Bears’ playoff hopes on life support.
Predict Jay Cutler’s total yardage for a chance to win four tickets and a $500 gift card to attend the Meineke Car Care Bowl. Submit your entry by 11AM CST on Sunday December 16, 2012.