When a team is as inconsistent as the Bears, it leads to more questions than answers. Starting with: Why have the Bears been so good on the road and so awful at home?
Well, the Bears turned that logic on its ear Sunday, blowing a 21-7 lead and losing 31-24 at Carolina.
"We have to go out there and finish plays," Bears tight end Martellus Bennett said afterward. "And when we get a chance to step on other teams' throat, step on it earlier. Don't hold back."
Speaking of coughing things up, the Bears turned the ball over four times, including on their last three possessions of the game. Three of those giveaways belonged to quarterback Jay Cutler.
The common thread the past two weeks, both losses, is the Bears could not get their offense going in the second half. They were shut out in the third and fourth quarters last week against Green Bay and put up just three after halftime against Carolina.
How does Cutler feel about all this? "Pretty frustrated," he told reporters afterward. Naturally.
The Bears are now 2-3 with a road game looming next week against a rejuvenated Devin Hester and Atlanta. In the meantime, there a few questions we found ourselves asking throughout Sunday's loss.
What was Teddy Williams thinking?
The Bears signed the cornerback off the practice squad THIS WEEK, and the first thing he did was tackle Carolina's punt returner before the ball arrived. Williams and his teammates compounded the problem by allowing Philly Brown to pick up the loose ball and run 79 yards for a score.
Have the Bears been misusing Jay Cutler?
He can't throw interceptions if he's running the ball. The Bears had not scored a rushing touchdown all season until Cutler strolled in from 10 yards out in the first quarter (thanks to a great block by Matt Forte). It was the quarterback's first rushing TD since 2011. Then on the next drive, he busted through the middle of the line and ran 13 yards for a first down. As usual, Cutler's numbers were mostly respectable (289 yards, two passing TDs and a rushing score)-it's the result that leaves a bad taste in fans' mouths.
"High and over the middle of the field is never good," Cutler said of his interceptions. "It happened twice today."
Can Chris Conte catch a break?
No, no he can't. The much-maligned safety-who has come up big at times this season-suffered a concussion early in the first quarter Sunday and missed the rest of the game.
Is Cam Newton really a quarterback?
The Carolina QB was all smiles after laying a hit on Bears linebacker Lance Briggs on a run play. That reminds us of when Tom Brady juked Brian Urlacher out of his shoes in New England. Quite embarrassing. Until Briggs picked off a deflected Newton pass two plays later. Much less embarrassing.
Did someone switch bodies with Robbie Gould?
The ultra-reliable kicker missed a 35-yard field goal. Just plain booted it wide. That might have been the most shocking thing that happened Sunday.
Can the Bears have Greg Olsen back?
The ex-Bear had 72 yards receiving and two scores, including the game-winner, on Sunday. Must be nice for him.
Is Kyle Fuller too good to be true?
Although he didn't have an interception Sunday, the rookie cornerback did help hold receiver Kelvin Benjamin, the NFL offensive player of the month, to three catches for 38 yards. Just trying to find a silver lining here.
Can Bears fans forgive Matt Forte?
It seems a strange question to ask about a workhorse who compiled 166 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown Sunday. That said, he fumbled with the game tied at 24 in the fourth quarter. Carolina made the Bears pay with the winning touchdown shortly after.
Can Chicago fans just skip ahead to hockey/basketball?
Very soon, Chicago fans. The Blackhawks start Thursday and the Bulls open their season Oct. 29. Hang in there.