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Cutler’s Record Is Staggering When Chicago Bears Have Defense

By Erik Lambert

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Oct 11, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) throws a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs in the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

It’s may take a while for Chicago Bears fans to catch their breath from the past two weeks.  This was a team everyone had left for dead after the first three weeks.  In going 0-3, the team had lost by a margin of 19.6 points.  Everybody was hurt and there wasn’t enough left to even mount a response.

Then an unexpected hero came to the rescue.  Jay Cutler, much maligned over the years for everything from personality issues to his spotty decision-making, led the Bears back two weeks-in-a-row in the 4th quarter to shock the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs for wins.  Suddenly a team that looked like a shoe-in for the #1 pick is 2-3 and face the winless Detroit Lions in week 6 for a chance to reach .500 at the bye.

Raise hands if any expected that, then prepare to be called a liar.

In truth this is nothing new for Cutler.  The 32-year old has been perhaps the quietest clutch quarterback in the NFL for the past decade.  To date he now has 18 comebacks in the 4th quarter and 22 game-winning drives.

Beyond that is the fact that once again, for the first time in years, fans are seeing that this Bears team can win when the defense is actually good enough to carry its own weight.  Since entering the league in 2006, Cutler is officially 46-12 as a starting quarterback when his defense gives up 21 points or fewer.

How’s that for an eye-opening stat?  Last season the defense gave up 21 or fewer just seven times.  Cutler played in six of those games.  He was 5-1.  It’s about as clear cut a truth as can be found in regards to the success of a singular player.  If the Bears were to give up 21 points or fewer for the season, the numbers conclude that Jay would win 79.3% of the games.

What self-respecting Chicago fan wouldn’t take that in a heartbeat?

Perhaps this has helped to clarify exactly what the mission ahead should be for the Bears brass in the off-season to come.  Maybe it’s not about replacing Cutler.  Maybe it’s about giving him something to lean on.

Next: Chicago Bears 2016 Mock Draft: Post First Quarter Salvo

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