The Chicago Bears season fell apart yesterday after the Kansas City Chiefs shocked them 10-3 on Sunday in Chicago. What seemed like the easiest of wins left on the schedule before QB Jay Cutler returns.
Whom are we kidding, Cutler isn’t coming back this year, but if he actually were to return in time for the playoffs this was a key game to get.
RB Matt Forte suffered what is being described as a low-grade MCL sprain and it seems Forte could miss 2-4 weeks. Although he is known as a quick healer. As pathetic as the Bears offense looked yesterday versus a terrible team like the Kansas City Chiefs, the Bears could still find themselves well within the NFC playoff picture in the final weeks.
The Detroit Lions are falling apart down the stretch, and the NFC East seems to be eating itself. The NFC West is garbage other than San Francisco, so unless a team from the NFC NASCAR division steps up, the final spot goes to either the Bears or Lions- whoever screws up less.
Bears signal caller Caleb Haine put up three interceptions and a 23.8 passer rating. The team went 0-11 on third down, and that wasn’t versus a real defense either. Therefore, it’s hard to have faith in Chicago getting that spot.
From Pigskin Report:
The Bears got a good look at what their offense will look like without Forte in the backfield next year, and it was pretty miserable. Even with Jay Cutler under center, the Bears can ill-afford to lose Forte in free agency unless they draft one of the top running backs coming out of college next season, but the Bears have other positions they need to focus on in the 2012 NFL Draft.
I would agree, they need to focus on OL and WR first in the draft; with considering the needs of adding depth to the DB and DL. Linebacker is a strong suit- but they are aging and it will be something to look at in 2013 and beyond.
From (CBS) Head coach Lovie Smith confirmed Bears running back Matt Forte has a sprained MCL and no further damage.
Asked in his Monday news conference if he expects Forte back before the end of the regular season, Smith had this to say:
“Yes, I do. MCL sprain going into the fourth quarter of the season, we should be in pretty good shape. Can’t tell you exactly when on whether it’s this week, next week or whatever. Hopefully, we’ll get him back soon.”
Smith said he doesn’t expect Forte’s contract status to get in the way of return, as Forte might be worried about further damage to the knee if he comes back too soon.
Either way the Bears should be very happy they didn’t commit all that money to Forte. Looks like ROI could be in serious danger now.
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net, an official Google News site generating millions of unique visitors. He’s also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker, and Fox Sports
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