2015: The Shanks
Cutler is guilty of making numerous mistakes that cost his team games during a season. That’s undeniable. At the same time it’s fair to say he’s also been the innocent bystander while a teammate assumes that role. Last year that goat label feel upon the shoulders of long-time kicker Robbie Gould. For years the man had been considered one of the most accurate in the NFL and great in clutch moments. However the past few seasons began to cast doubts.
That problem came out at the worst time in a pivotal game against San Francisco. Tied 20-20 with just seconds left, Gould had a chance to win the game on a 36-yard field goal. In past years it was chip shot range for him.
Gould chokes, and we head to overtime in Chicago. #49ers pic.twitter.com/3DOUyejRGP
— KNBR (@KNBR) December 6, 2015
Chicago lost in overtimes 26-20. It got worse the next week. In another tight battle with the Washington Redskins, the Bears trailed 24-21 with less than two minutes to play. Cutler drove the team just inside field goal range. Gould had a 50-yard try to tie it and potentially force overtime. This one sailed wide right. Washington won the game. Understand that going into that stretch the Bears were 5-6. Winning those two games would’ve put them at 7-6.
At that point talk of the playoffs would’ve been very plausible. Instead the team ended 6-10 and Gould was eventually cut. Cutler? All he could do was reflect on another missed opportunity.