Cutler performing at high level entering NFC title game
By: Larry Mayer | Last Updated: 1/19/2011 7:35 PM
LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Although the Packers certainly are a step up in class, the Bears are hoping that Jay Cutler picks up in Sunday's NFC Championship Game where he left off last weekend against the Seahawks.
Making his first playoff appearance, the five-year veteran passed for 274 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for a career-high 43 yards and two scores in a 35-24 divisional-playoff victory.
"Our team and most offenses go the way your quarterback does, and Jay Cutler should be the quarterback of the Chicago Bears," said coach Lovie Smith. "He's a tough guy, comes to work each day.
"He's made a lot of throws. But I like the decisions he's made just when to take off and run the ball. He was outstanding last week and we'll need him to play that way again this week."
With a 111.3 passer rating against the Seahawks, Cutler has now topped the century mark in five of his last seven games. On Sunday, he'll face a Packers defense that held opposing quarterbacks to a league-low 67.2 passer rating during the regular season.
"Jay's a great quarterback," said running back Matt Forte. "He makes plays with his feet and also he's smart with the football and he's definitely got a great arm. He's a great all-around quarterback."
Red-hot Rodgers: Cutler's counterpart, the Packers' Aaron Rodgers, owns the No. 1 passer rating in NFL history in both the regular season (98.4) and the playoffs (129.4). In last Saturday night's 48-21 rout of the Falcons in Atlanta, Rodgers completed 31 of 36 passes for 366 yards and three touchdowns.
"The Packers right now are really hot," Cutler said. "They're running the ball well, they're throwing the ball well. Third down they have been extraordinary. Aaron is not missing many passes. Whenever we get the ball, we're going to have to make it count."
In a Week 17 loss to the Packers, the Bears sacked Rodgers twice, intercepted him once and allowed Green Bay to convert just 2-of-11 third down plays.
"One of the keys to containing Aaron Rodgers is do similar stuff to what we did last time we played them," said linebacker Lance Briggs. "Defensively, we did a lot of good things.
"We went off the field a lot on third downs. We got a lot of pressure. We made him move his feet, throw the ball quick and we got around tacklers. One thing we've done well all year is we've been great tacklers. Guys don't get a whole lot of yards after first contact, and guys that do tend to get punished by the other 10 guys running to the ball."
Briggs said it best. This game from a defensive standpoint is going to be all about getting to and putting pressure on Rodgers. Holy cow I hope Marinelli has a good game plan up his sleeve for Sunday.
BEARS
