Thoughts on a 24-20 loss to the Eagles …

It starts and ends with Cutler.

So often this season, it’s easy to assess blame in several different directions. Sure, Cutler just threw a ton of picks, but he had no time to throw passes because the offensive line couldn’t contain. Yeah, Cutler didn’t get the Bears into the end zone, but it doesn’t matter: the defense just gave up a ton of points. But last night, it was hard not to start and end with Cutler.

There’s the obvious: he overthrew Greg Olsen and Devin Hester on consecutive plays in the end zone. Both were open. Hester was wide open. As Chris Collinsworth, and later Tony Dungy commented, it seemed like Cutler was trying too hard not to throw interceptions, and was letting the five picks against the 49ers affect his play last evening. It was hard not to agree with this assessment.

There was also another overthrown ball, on the Bears’ second-to-last possession of the game. It was a sure touchdown pass to a streaking-down-the-sidelines Johnny Knox who had outrun Sheldon Brown, the same Sheldon Brown who was coming off a hamstring injury. Cutler deserves more of a pass for that one, because it was a very long throw, and accuracy can suffer. But it spoke to Cutler’s whole game: he was short, long, left and right all game.

The first half was particularly frustrating, because besides the two straight overthrows, the Bears made it to the red zone twice, and had to settle for field goals.

He only threw one pick, which is progress. But it was to essentially end the game, just like last week. And yes: it was on a bit of bad luck, as Tracy White tipped the ball in the air, which allowed Sean Jones to run up and haul it in.

But, as Collinsworth noted, Cutler tipped his hand that he was throwing to Greg Olsen, and that’s why the Eagles got a hand on ball to tip it in the air in the first place.

In a game the Bears otherwise played well enough to win, it was Cutler’s performance which kept them a bit short of a victory.

Let’s hope some of those word Donovan McNabb told Cutler after the game sink in, eh?

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Whenever you throw around the “indefinitely” tag on an injury, there’s always cause for concern. There were reports Peanut Tillman would be out about 10 weeks after his recent back surgery. But if what he told our Mitch Robinson about how he’s feeling after said surgery rings true, he just might be back before a lot of Bears fans, and Lovie Smith, thought:

“I expect to return for the first game, but pain’s your guide so I can’t rush to go back. Right now I feel good, I’m going to take my time but go as fast as I can, does that make sense?”

Yes, it does Peanut. You can get at the whole interview right here.