Week 11 keys to the game: Chicago Bears @ New York Giants

3. NO TURNOVERS!

Looking back, everyone probably should have expected one “Same ‘ol Jay” performance this season. Needless to say, committing 5 turnovers in a single game will almost always guarantee defeat. Simply put, Cutler needs to play with much more awareness on Sunday. The Giants will undoubtedly be ready to break on balls, so Cutler’s placement will be of the utmost importance. However, Cutler displayed an even more discouraging aspect of his game against the Buccaneers, pocket presence. Cutler has never had the best awareness in the pocket, but he seemed completely unaware that there were large, muscular defensive lineman trying to pummel him last Sunday. If Cutler doesn’t want to be dismembered by Jason Pierre Paul on Sunday, he will need to be more aware.

Game plan wise, Dowell Loggains needs to stick with the run. Jordan Howard was shredding Tampa Bay, but he only received the ball 15 times. The Bears allowed a 7 point deficit to explode because of turnovers and poor time of possession. Churning out first downs on the ground isn’t sexy, but the defense can’t play three quarters of the game. Dowell Loggains also needs to phase out his predictable screen passes. Even if Cutler had thrown a perfect ball to Logan Paulsen on the play that resulted in a pick six, the play would have only gone for 2 yards. Regardless, the Bears’ offense needs to protect the ball in order to pull off an upset win.