These Moments Are What Killed The Jay Cutler Experiment In Chicago

Sep 25, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler on the field before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler on the field before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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September 1, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) warms up before the game against the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
September 1, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) warms up before the game against the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

2012:  The Coin Flip

Speaking of luck, every time it came down to something like that for Cutler, it always seemed to go against him. A lot of things went wrong for the 2012 Bears to somehow miss the playoffs at 10-6. Perhaps one that people don’t remember came in a pivotal game against the Seattle Seahawks. Chicago had just won the previous week and had a chance to maintain control of the division, which was slipping away after two losses prior to that.

Late in the game it was becoming apparent that the Seahawks were wearing out the defense in a big way. Russell Wilson led a long touchdown drive to take the lead 17-14. It looked like the Bears were done for with just 20 seconds left. That was until Cutler pulled off a phenomenal play that resulted in a 56-yard pass to Brandon Marshall, setting up a Robbie Gould field goal to tie the game and force overtime.

All the momentum had suddenly shifted back to the Bears. It came down to what happened next. If they could just get the ball right back, they could still hit the Seahawks while they were reeling. At the same time they could give their defense some badly needed rest. It came down to a flip of the coin. Seattle won the toss and chose to receive. Wilson again led a sustained drive and the Bears defense couldn’t stop it. The Seahawks scored a touchdown to win the game.

It was the first of three-straight crippling losses that did just enough to keep Chicago out of the playoffs. This failure resulted in the firing of head coach Lovie Smith and the arrival of Marc Trestman.