Emma: Bears Were Listless At Lambeau Field
By Chris Emma--
GREEN BAY, Wis. (CBS) -- Believe it or not, it was just last November that the Bears celebrated the highlight of coach John Fox's tenure inside the Lambeau Field visitors' locker room.
The Bears had knocked off the Packers, and Fox was lifted by players and hoisted to the ceiling. He couldn't stop smiling as the young team came through with a marquee victory and showed signs of growth.
On Thursday night, that seemed like ages ago.
After the Bears' 26-10 loss to the Packers on at Lambeau, Fox needs lifting for his spirits. You could hear a pin drop in that losing locker room.
"Nobody comes and saves you," Fox said of the Bears' 1-6 start, repeating a line he's used on several occasions this season.
Did you think it couldn't get any worse for the Bears? Oh, it certainly did.
Brian Hoyer suffered a broken left arm in the second quarter, and the Bears turned to their third-string quarterback, Matt Barkley. Can Jay Cutler return for Week 8 with the vaunted Vikings defense? Maybe.
Meanwhile, Chicago's Pro Bowl guard tandem of Kyle Long and Josh Sitton is hurt. Sitton was held out due to an ankle injury and may miss several weeks. Long's status is now in doubt after his shoulder injury suffered a setback Thursday night.
"My arm's f—ed up," Long said afterward. "Tough spot to be in."
Thursday saw the beat-up Bears come into Lambeau Field with just one win and so many issues. Then, more injuries mounted. Hoyer was the team's best chance to stay in the game, but he wasn't efficient, going 4-of-11 for 49 yards. Barkley struggled mightily in his time leading the offense, going 6-of-15 for 81 yards and two interceptions.
Early on, the game was ugly on both sides. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense received boos from the home crowd during the first half, which ended with Green Bay leading 6-3. He then took over the game and set a franchise record for completions with 39, surpassing Brett Favre.
Following Sunday's Packers loss, Rodgers said that he needed a glass of scotch and a film session to retain Pro Bowl form. As it turned out, all he needed was a depleted Bears defense to pick apart.
When Chicago pulled that victory in Green Bay last fall, it seemed as if its ship was sailing in the right direction.
Entering Year 2 for Fox's regime, the Bears needed the benefit of good health to be competitive. This team has the potential to at least be competitive, but with the rash of injuries, the Bears simply don't stand a chance.
Through the adversity, the Bears aren't making excuses. Tight end Zach Miller used the word embarrassing. Long agreed.
"It is embarrassing," he said.
With Barkley pressed into action, the Bears offense struggled. The unit finished with 189 yards, with just 69 coming on the ground. The Packers neutralized rookie running back Jordan Howard, who was playing with weak blocking up front and rushed for 22 yards on seven carreis. Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers put the game in Barkley's hands.
Barkley hadn't thrown a football since 2013. He finished with the two interceptions and looked like a backup quarterback as the Bears didn't record an offensive touchdown on the night.
"I know I'm better than that," Barkley said.
After the game, Fox couldn't say whether Cutler would be ready for a return against the Vikings, though he added that he's "closer" to a comeback. The Bears can only hope they have their gunslinger leading the offense against the league's top defense.
Even with Cutler, the Bears are too beat up to put up much of a fight. This team has been decimated by injuries.
Year 2 was supposed to bring measured organizational progress under Fox's watch. Instead, it has turned into a nightmare.
"You just got to keep fighting," Fox said.
The trouble is Fox's Bears don't have much to fight for anymore. It will take some effort to bring team growth this season. These next nine weeks could feel like a death march.
That realization seemed to seep into that visiting locker room late Thursday night in Lambeau Field.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.