Different Cutler a difference-maker
After 15 years in the league, Lawyer Milloy has seen a lot of NFL quarterbacks come and go.
The Seattle safety has played with the best and faced the worst, but the last time he was in Chicago to play the Bears in October, all he saw under center for the home team was confusion.
On that day in victory, the Seahawks pounded Jay Cutler, hitting him 10 times, sacking him six and holding him to a 69.4 passer rating.
Milloy had a sack, a stuff, a pass defended and a lot of fun.
“Their offense was really kind of a mess, to be honest with you,” Milloy recalled Sunday. “They didn't seem to know what they were doing.”
That was three months ago.
Sunday afternoon at Soldier Field, it took Cutler only until the first throw of his playoff career to beat Milloy deep down the middle for a 58-yard touchdown pass, marking the start of a monster day for Cutler and a miserable day for Milloy.
“When they had their opportunities, they put the ball right on the money,” said Seattle coach Pete Carroll. “When they got Olsen deep early, he hit a great ball.
“Jay came through in this game and made some terrific plays. We gave him some chances, too, but he made big plays when the opportunities were there.”
Cutler carved up the Seahawks early and often to the tune of 2 throwing TDs, 2 running TDs and a 111.3 passer rating in the Bears' 35-24 victory.
He wasn't just great. Cutler was also very much in charge of his teammates and in control of the game.
Cutler was so good that he offered a glimpse into what the Bears were dreaming of when they traded for him two years ago.
“He looked like a different player to me, but he was wearing the same (uniform) number,” Milloy said. “I mean, you know the guy has great ability and all that, but he's a different player than the last time we were here.
“He didn't look too confident then. He was great today. He beat us all over the field. You have to tip your cap.”
Tip it to Cutler, to the offensive line and to the Bears' coaching staff, which was every bit the mess Milloy thought it was some months back.
The first time Seattle visited Chicago, the offensive line couldn't protect Cutler and the Bears couldn't run the football.
Of course, Mike Martz barely even tried.
This time Cutler had all day to throw but had to drop back only 28 times while throwing for 274 yards, compared to 39 pass attempts in the first game that netted him 290 yards.
Last time the Bears ran only 14 times for 61 yards, and Sunday they pounded Seattle for 176 rushing yards on 45 carries, to the tune of 37:10 in possession time.
“When you have the lead, it's a lot easier to have balance,” said Lovie Smith. “But we were going to have balance either way. We felt like we could run the football and we were able to do that.”
Of course, Bears fans were aware of this formula long before Martz and Smith finally saw the light, but the good news is that during the bye week the light hit them like a lightning bolt between the eyes.
The result is an 8-2 record since then and a chance to host the Packers in the NFC title game next Sunday at 2 p.m., with a shot at a trip to Dallas for all the marbles.
“I said earlier this year that when we (on the offensive line) catch up to Jay, that's when we'll look like a great offense,” said center Olin Kreutz. “We've finally caught up to him and we look like a great offense.
“But I think we can still be a lot better, too, especially the way Jay's playing right now. He and Mike (Martz) have found the same page and you can see how good it can be.”
It helps that Cutler isn't getting his brains beat in these days. That pounding has a tendency to injure a QB's confidence, not to mention his passer rating and body.
“After last year and the disappointment and struggle we had offensively, and rebuilding and getting Mike (Martz) in here, it has been fun,” Cutler said. “It's been a fun ride. It's not over yet. We still have some business to take care of.”
The Soldier Field faithful were well aware of that Sunday when they began chanting, “Green Bay (bleeps)” with 8:26 left in the fourth, even before learning that the Packers had been installed as a 3-point favorite.
“We don't like the Packers, and they don't like us,” Kreutz said. “But we respect them. I have tremendous respect for their defense and their coaches.
“But it's going to be nasty. It always is. I can't wait.”
On that account, Kreutz has plenty of company.