ICYMI: Bears Vs Bengals Q&A with Bear Goggles On
By Jason Marcum
Dec 30, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) before the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
4. Is this a make-or-break season for Jay Cutler, and how would you rank him among the league’s best quarterbacks?
This Bears fan doesn’t think that it is a make-or-break season for Jay Cutler. If Jay Cutler doesn’t perform this year under new coach Marc Trestman, then he doesn’t get paid the big contract. The Bears have the option to franchise him the next two seasons. The Bears won’t cut ties with Cutler regardless of his performance. Who else are they going to get? Jay Cutler is the best quarterback the Bears have had since Sid Luckman and that was in the 1940’s.
I view Cutler as a top 15 Quarterback in the league. Here is how I come to that conclusion. For arguments sake, let’s say Jay sucks it up this upcoming season and the Bears let him walk. How many teams would be waiting in line willing to pay him top dollar to be the quarterback of their team? It will probably be easier to name the teams that wouldn’t sign him. Patriots, Ravens, Bengals, Steelers, Texans, Colts, Broncos, Chargers, Cowboys, Giants, Bears(Because they cut him), Packers, Falcons and Saints. That’s 14 teams that wouldn’t need his services, so top 15.
5. The Bengals defeated the Bears in Chicago in an early season matchup in 2005, and both teams ended up having great seasons and made the playoffs. Do you foresee the same in 2013?
Let’s not forget 2009 when the Bears lost to the Bengals in Cincinnati 45-10. I know I haven’t.
I do believe that both the Bears and Bengals will make the playoffs next year. Maybe a Bears Bengals Super Bowl? That would be fun.
6. How does this matchup play out? What ends up being the deciding factors, and who comes out on top?
The last 2 seasons, the Bears have destroyed their home opener opponents. I honestly don’t see that happening again this year. I think the Bears will win the game, but it will be a lot closer of a score. I just give them the edge due to being at home and the Bengals having no real film of Marc Trestman’s new offense.
Be sure to follow Michael Praser on Twitter: @bearseveryday
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