Bears lose once again

As expected by most of the football world, the Chicago Bears suffered yet another defeat in Week 12. This time to one of the best teams in the league, the Minnesota Vikings. Things seemed to be interesting after the scoreless first quarter, but after both teams traded touchdowns early in the second quarter, Chicago (4-7) began to unravel giving up 17 unanswered points, ending the first half trailing 24-7. Minnesota (10-1) tacked on an extra 12 points for insurance to end the game with the final score of 36-10.

Once again, Jay Cutler struggled to find his rhythm. Cutler finished the game completing 18 of 23 attempts for 147 yards, one touchdown, and two costly interceptions. The offensive line didn’t make matters any better by allowing their Pro Bowl quarterback to be sacked four times, as well as continuing to have trouble igniting the running game. Second-year running back Matt Forte was held to 27 yards on the ground on just eight carries—which gives more speculation on head coach Lovie Smith’s “get off the bus running the ball” mentality. Tight end Greg Olsen, Chicago’s only standout this game, came out of the gates pretty well in the first half with seven receptions for 45 yards, but was completely shut down by the Vikings’ defense in the second half.

> Find Chicago Bears jerseys & hats online through Pro Football Fans for all your team gear!

As for the defense, things were just as bad. Vikings quarterback Brett Favre, who has always had great games against the Bears as a Green Bay Packer, had a career day completing 32 of 48 passes for 392 yards and three touchdowns. Former Chicago Bear Bernard Berrian had six catches for 74 yards, along with third-year receiver Sidney Rice’s six receptions for 89 yards. But the Chicago secondary was mostly hurt by rookie receiver Percy Harvin, who recorded his first career 100-yard receiving day. The Bears’ run defense appeared to be unprepared as well, giving up 159 yards on the ground—85 of which came from Pro Bowl running back Adrian Peterson.

The playoff window is quickly closing on the Chicago Bears. Even though there are five games left on the schedule, they would have to win all of those games, as well as have a number of other teams lose in order to have a real crack at a wildcard berth. The last chance to get things rolling for the Bears will be coming this week when the 1-10 St. Louis Rams come to Soldier Field.

By Clyde Speller
ProFootball-fans.com Chicago Bears Correspondent