The Morning After: Bears-Packers
Notes on a 21-14 loss to the Packers …
Same as it ever was.
There was a time during yesterday’s game — after Aaron Rodgers coughed up the ball in Packers territory early in the third quarter and Jay Cutler found Devin Aromashodu in the end zone after a series of solid rushes from Matt Forte and a 22-yard pass to Johnny Knox– that the Bears not only gained the lead at 14-13, but also the momentum. And I thought to myself, hey, well, maybe this is it: maybe the Bears will finally put something together here and beat an opponent of worth. Actually come back from a deficit, thrive off the home crowd, keep Rodgers and the Packers’ offense grounded and win this game. Actually look good in a win for once.
But it was fleeting.
Because as he’s done so many times this season, Cutler got picked off during the fourth quarter. This time it was early in the quarter in Bears territory, and the Packers’ offense was able to slide in easily for the go-ahead and game-winning score. That was that: the Bears were losers again, and their slim playoff hopes evaporated.
In a game where the defense held well and Cutler saw some more time in the pocket due to some injuries to the Packers’ defensive line, this game was there for the Bears to grab.
But they let it slip away.
Out with one Devin, in with another.
Devin Hester sat out of yesterday’s game with a calf injury, but Devin Aromashodu filled in quite admirably for him, to the tune of eight receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown. The common question yesterday was this: why was this guy not getting more reps all season? Cutler had gone to bat for him to make the roster during the preseason. He showed he’s more than capable of being an NFL receiver yesterday at Solider Field. Is this just another sign of the incompetence of the coaching staff?
I’m not so sure.
If anything, his flash in the pan success yesterday fit right in with the trend of the Bears’ receivers this season. Remember when Johnny Knox went off for six receptions and a touchdown against the Steelers in Week 2? He’s averaging 3.1 receptions a game this season. He’s been hot some games, nowhere to be found in others. Same goes for Devin Hester and Earl Bennett.
We’ll see what happens this Sunday against the Ravens, but don’t be surprised if Aromashodu comes back down to earth.
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