Cutler has last laugh

  • By John Boyle Herald Writer
  • Monday, January 17, 2011 12:01am
  • Sports

CHICAGO — As Bears tight end Greg Olsen sprinted away from Seahawks safety Lawyer Milloy for a first-quarter touchdown, it became evident in the very early going that this was going to be a much tougher day for Seattle’s defense.

In October, Seattle harassed Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler and led the Seahawks to their most impressive regular season win of the year. On Sunday, however, Cutler had the last laugh, leading the Bears to a 35-24 victory that ended Seattle’s season while sending the Bears to the NFC championship game.

That touchdown pass to Olsen, the first of two touchdown passes from Cutler, who also rushed for a pair of scores, was on Chicago’s first third-down of the game. The last time these teams met, Chicago went 0-for-12 on third down.

And in that last meeting, the Seahawks blitzed like crazy, often from seven-defensive back formations, leading to six sacks and a safety. With less third-and-long situations, the Seahawks blitzed a lot less, and the result was more time for Cutler to pick apart the secondary in the first playoff game of his career.

“He made all the throws that he was supposed to make,” Milloy said. “The difference was that we didn’t pressure him. He had a little more time today. He was able to stay comfortable. That was the biggest thing. We played him differently.”

A comfortable Cutler passed for 274 yards and two scores, and rushed for 43 yards and two more touchdowns.

“I don’t know if you’re going to get any better of a performance out of a quarterback in the playoffs,” said Olsen, who finished with 113 yards on three catches. “… I don’t know what more he could have done from that position in any game, let alone a playoff game. You can’t give enough credit to what he did.

And by the time Seattle’s offense finally started scoring, it was far too late because the Bears had a 28-0 lead.

“When the defense gives up this many points, you can’t win,” Seahawks safety Earl Thomas said. “… The first time we played them we got a lot of pressure. We didn’t get pressure on him this time and he just sat back there and made all the right throws.”

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said the Seahawks didn’t blitz less because that was the plan coming in, but rather because the Bears were in more third-and-short situations than they were in the October game.

“The situations, all the down and distances were much shorter,” he said. “We had a lot of third-and-eights and more the last time out, and this time is was third-and-three, four and five all the time.”

Cutler was far from perfect, but the handful of poor decisions he made went unpunished as Seahawks defenders missed out on potential interceptions and Cutler’s one fumble. One of the biggest plays early in the game came when Jordan Babineaux dropped a sure interception on the goal line that had pick-six written all over it. Four plays later, the Bears were in the end zone for a 14-0 lead.

“We usually capitalize,” said linebacker Aaron Curry, who was responsible for the game’s only turnover, an interception of a pass thrown by running back Matt Forte. “We usually get the loose ball, we usually catch the interception and today we just didn’t make those plays. … Sometimes the ball just bounces differently. That ball was on the ground a few times, it was tipped a few times, and we just didn’t catch it, we didn’t recover it.”

Cutler and the Bears offense were also helped by much more balanced play calling. In the early part of the season, including the game against Seattle, Chicago was much more pass oriented, leading to a lot of sacks on Cutler. The Bears finished the season playing more balanced on offense, and did so again Sunday with 176 rushing yards.

“Forte, on film was definitely more of a reason why they started winning,” Curry said. “They started running the ball, so now you’ve got to stop Forte and stop Cutler, and that’s when it gets tough.”

Herald Writer John Boyle: jboyle@heraldnet.com. For more Seahawks coverage, check out the Seahawks blog at heraldnet.com/seahawksblog

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27

Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.