These aren't the Bears that fans grew to love-the ones who looked like Super Bowl contenders after starting the season 7-1. In a showdown with Green Bay on Sunday, somehow it didn't matter that the Packers' kicker missed two field goals. Or that they racked up 104 penalty yards. Or had a trick play go horribly wrong. Somehow the Bears still ended up losing 21-13 at Soldier Field.
It's even more depressing to think that the Packers wrapped up the NFC North title with the win, and the Bears' playoff hopes are iffy at best.
After a game like this, fans are desperate for answers, or at least someone to blame. RedEye can at least help with the latter.
5. Aaron Rodgers
The Bears did manage to sack Mr. Discount Double Check three times. Nevertheless, he threw for 291 yards and three touchdowns. To add insult to injury, he converted two fourth-down pass plays, the second of which led to a TD. And we thought Brett Favre gave this city nightmares.
4. The referees
They might seem like an easy target, but hear us out. Bears receiver Alshon Jeffery, for all his miscues Sunday, looked like he was interfered with on the Bears' last drive of the game. A roughing-the-passer call against Julius Peppers in the fourth quarter also looked like a stretch. Can we have the replacement refs back?
3. Alshon Jeffery
The rookie still is getting a feel for NFL officiating, and it ruined the Bears this time. He was called for offensive pass interference three times-THREE TIMES-in the second half. One penalty wiped out a touchdown catch, and another nullified what would have been a crucial 36-yard gain. Jeffery might be Brandon Marshall-like one day, but he ain't there yet.
2. Jay Cutler
It turns out the backbreaker in this game came in the second quarter. Just when it looked the Bears had a chance to take the lead heading into halftime-bam!-Cutler throws an interception that sets up a Packers touchdown. Sound familiar? Actually, don't answer that.
1. Lovie Smith
Prior to Sunday's game, Fox played a clip from 2004 that reminded fans how Smith made beating the Packers his top priority when he was hired as Bears coach. As if we had forgotten. Well, six straight losses to the cheeseheads might be what finally ends his time in Chicago.
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