Bears' offense seeking consistency

It's obvious the Bears have had trouble all year converting third downs and protecting the quarterback. They're last in both categories. Now they need to do something about it, and there's enough blame for every position.

“We're going to have to, on a consistent basis, pick up (the blitz), get rid of the ball and hit our hot (reads) and make them pay for it, quarterback Jay Cutler said. “We're getting big chunks (of yardage) and stuff. It's just not on a consistent basis. We get a big chunk and then we'll miss something and then have a sack for 10. Defenses are probably going to be willing to trade punches like that all game.

By the numbers:

Robbie Gould had field goals of 34 and 24 yards in the second quarter Sunday, giving him 55 straight from inside 40 yards, the longest current streak in the NFL. Gould missed a 54-yarder in the fourth quarter that would have been the longest of his career. … Johnny Knox's 120 receiving yards, on 5 catches, were the most of his career and his first 100-yard game. He's averaging 21.8 yards per catch. … Devin Aromashodu had 2 catches for 40 yards, his first since the season opener, when he had 5 receptions for 71 yards but wound up in offensive coordinator Mike Martz's doghouse because of dropped passes.

Sitting it out:

Guard Roberto Garza (knee) and linebacker Lance Briggs (ankle) were inactive.

Briggs was replaced by Brian Iwuh, who got his first start as a Bear and fourth start of his five-year career. He was credited with a game-high 9 tackles, including 1 for minus yardage. Cornerback Zack Bowman, who played behind Tim Jennings for the third straight game, left in the second half with a right foot injury and did not return.

Sunday's other inactives were safety Major Wright, cornerback Joshua Moore, running back Kahlil Bell, defensive end Charles Grant and defensive tackle Marcus Harrison. Todd Collins was the third quarterback.

Harrison, a third-round pick in 2008, has been inactive for five of the first six games. Grant, who was signed as a replacement after Mark Anderson was released, has been inactive in both games as a Bear. Anderson, who was cut after four games, still ranks second on the team with 6 quarterback pressures.