4th Phase Game Ball Week 2: Jay Cutler

Bears quarterback Jay Cutler celebrates the game-winning touchdown. (Photo courtesy of Chicago Tribune, Jose M. Osorio, Sept. 15, 2013)

It’s hard to pick a Bears players to give the 4th Phase game ball because a win like the one against the Vikings was a total team effort. The game ball could easily go to Devin Hester for finding his magic and responding to the Vikings scores. It could go to Tim Jennings for another pick 6. Matt Forte was the focal point of the offense with 11 receptions and 181 total yards. It could even go to Martellus Bennett as the Black Unicorn had two touchdown receptions including the game winning touchdown.

Despite the heroic efforts of each of these players, the 4th Phase game ball has to go to Jay Cutler. He did fumble when he was sacked and he also threw an interception after Vikings players volleyed it to each other. It was far from a perfect game but he got the job done when it most counted. Cutler was elusive in the pocket, made good decisions and was accurate.

Cutler gets the game ball for being clutch, leading the team to a come from behind victory for the second straight week, against two playoff teams from last season. Down 30-24, Cutler led the offense down the field in the 4th quarter and hit Bennett at the pile on.

At the end of the day, Cutler was 28 for 39 for 290 yards with a 97.2 quarterback rating, the second week in a row he rated above a 90. It’s only been two games but it already looks like Marc Trestman has had a positive influence on Cutler as a quarterback… and they haven’t even played their best game yet.

What do you think?  Who gets your game ball?  Post your Comments below.