Hoge's Grades: Offense, Coaching Staff Fail In Biggest Game Of Season
190 total yards in the biggest game of the season. That just about says it all.
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190 total yards in the biggest game of the season. That just about says it all.
Despite those holding out for an inspired, season-saving turn at home against their overly-professed enemy, we got a wholly recognizable, ordinary performance and an entirely probable outcome.
While the Bears continue to try to win with defense, the rest of the league is separating itself. Nowhere is that more evident than in the Bears' own division where the Packers have now beaten them six straight times.
Despite reports of a sprained MCL, Bears quarterback Jay Cutler will play Sunday.
Check out Jeff Joniak's "Keys to the Game" for the Bears matchup against the Packers on Sunday at Solider Field.
This is neither endorsement nor indictment of Lovie Smith.
The Bears may appear to be going nowhere, but that doesn't mean Lovie Smith is headed anywhere.
Since the Bears traded for Cutler before the 2009 season, Lovie Smith's overall record is 34-27 for a winning percentage of .557, which is actually a drop off compared to his 45-35 record (.563) B.C. (Before Cutler).
With a crushing divisional loss to the Vikings on Sunday, the Bears (8-5) have now dropped four of their last five games and continue to struggle to find any type of consistency on offense.
Adam Hoge grades the Bears following the their fourth loss in their last five games.
Following the loss in Minnesota, Bears coach Lovie Smith now looks ahead to what he called a "one-game season"--an all-important game against rival Green Bay.
If the Bears don't make the playoffs this season, should general manager Phil Emery fire Lovie and bring in someone new?
Slam. Click. That's the Bears' much-discussed championship window, closed and locked. Sealed until further notice.
How such numbers factor into the Bears' decision about whether to bring Smith back for 2013 isn't known, but what's clear is how Smith's career record looks under a magnifying glass. Not good.
Time offers the opportunity for perspective, so I thought it would be a good idea to wait each week to give my thoughts on the Bears game. The idea being that 24 hours allows for me to watch the game over and talk to a few more people. Hence, "The 24 Blog."
As tough as Sunday's loss was for the Bears, coach Lovie Smith's team is still tied for first place in their division with pivotal conference opponents ahead down the final stretch of the season.
Lovie Smith didn't waste any time in distributing the blame for Sunday's 23-17 overtime loss to the Seahawks.
Adam Hoge grades the Bears following their 23-17 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks Sunday.
While Lovie Smith's team wasn't eliminated by the Seahawks Sunday, it was beaten and exposed. This one looked bad.
Several key Bears players are banged up after a pivotal victory over division rival Minnesota, but coach Lovie Smith hopes to have everybody back in the lineup soon.
Sunday afternoon at Soldier Field, rhythm was somehow found and largely sustained against a decent Vikings defense as the Bears ended a two-game slide with a 28-10 victory.
Adam Hoge grades the Bears following their 28-10 win over the Minnesota Vikings Sunday.
The Bears could not have afforded a loss to a divisional opponent, especially not at home, and with Jay Cutler returning to action.
Adam Hoge grades the Bears following the 49ers' 32-7 thumping of the Bears at Candlestick Park Monday night.
All that talk from Lovie Smith about how his team hadn't peaked yet? Well, after Monday night's 32-7 disaster against the 49ers, it's clear the Bears are going backwards.
