Jay Cutler breaks thumb on throwing hand

[Chewie]

Well there goes the wind out of our sails.

I've never been a Hanie fan, either. You know how it is when a guy with 14 regular season snaps to his name comes in....the coach goes with a conservative game plan and the QB stares down receivers and telegraphs his passes.

Prove me wrong, CH. You've got a great opportunity here.

Looks like the injury happened after that pick where Knox fell down so I'll go ahead and blame him and the Soldier Field turf.

I don't think we want to have Enderle there as the primary backup, either. Todd Collins is sitting at home staring at his cell phone right now. Ugh.

[The Explorer]

I think Hanie could avoid screwing up enough to get us in the playoffs. Its a pretty decent schedule the rest of the way. Dallas and Atlanta both have tougher schedules the rest of the way. I think the defense and special teams will definitely be enough to get past KC, Seattle, Minnesota, and Denver.

[Shootdabull]

This really stinks he was really looking good out there. I would not be suprised if our playoff hopes ride on that last game against the viks, I'm glad we have tie breakers in our favor. Caleb needs to step up - we need him.

[chibearsfan]

The toughest thing to digest in all of this is that our team was on a big time roll and I honestly felt like we were the 2nd best team in the NFC behind GB. Even if cutler comes back ready for playoffs (if we do make it), I'm afraid he wont be nearly as good as he is right now. Really sucks..I think we were definitely going to do some damage in the playoffs this year...

[Todd3]

I'm glad we have tie breakerS in our favor

Just for clarification, aside from ATL, what tie-breaker do the Bears have in their favor?

If the season ended today, the Cowboys and Lions would hold the tie-breaker based on conf record and div record. The Bears would hold a tie-breaker over the Giants, based on conf record, but thats assuming they don't win their division, which is very possible.

That said, none of those secondary tie-breakers really matter right now because the season doesnt end today, and those records will change by seasons end.

There looks to be about a 4 team race for the 2 wild card spots (CHI, DAL or NY, DET, and ATL). The only tie-breaker the Bears have locked up is with ATL.

[NZB2323]

I'm not that worried. I think that there's a good chance that Cutler plays again this season.

Our defense, special teams, and Matt Forte are more responsible for our wins than Cutler. Cutler has been good, but I think that Hanie outplayed him in the NFC championship game. I'm not saying that Hanie is better, but I don't think that we need Cutler to beat the Raiders, Chiefs, Broncos, Seahawks, or Vikings.

[mattbulls]

The key is the next 4. They are all winnable with Caleb as our QB. Forte, Hester, and Defense it's time to shine!!

[organix85]

I'm hearing they contacted Jeff Garcia.

[heir_jordan22]

Am I the only one that heard he is now expected to miss 4-5 weeks after seeing a specialist? That would mean he at least gets to play the Vikings and use that as a tune-up game

[organix85]

Am I the only one that heard he is now expected to miss 4-5 weeks after seeing a specialist? That would mean he at least gets to play the Vikings and use that as a tune-up game

I heard that too... but it is tough to believe anyone at this point. Only time will tell.

[SportsWorld]

If we can get him back for the Minnesota game, it would be huge. I think Hanie could get us 3 wins and that 11th game might be all the difference.

[The Explorer]

People think Lovie is lying by saying Cutler could be back by the end of the season. But why would he lie? If its to give hope to fans and media, that hope would be quickly dashed when his rehab trajectory is more than 6 weeks. And his rehab trajectory will likely be closely watch by the media over the next couple weeks. This is what Dan Bernstein was saying yesterday. I don't see any reason to not believe Lovie at this point.

The only thing that gives me pause though, is that several doctors and surgeons have said a thumb fracture that requires surgery usually takes closer to 8 weeks to heal from.

[WEFFPIM]

So, Kyle Orton was just waived by the Broncos. It would be only fitting, wouldn't it?

[MF Doom]

So, Kyle Orton was just waived by the Broncos. It would be only fitting, wouldn't it?

The Bears should go get him.

[LoveDaBoo]

People think Lovie is lying by saying Cutler could be back by the end of the season. But why would he lie? If its to give hope to fans and media, that hope would be quickly dashed when his rehab trajectory is more than 6 weeks. And his rehab trajectory will likely be closely watch by the media over the next couple weeks.

If it comes out that Lovie was lying there, I'll be pretty mad at Lovie. I'd lose some respect for him. Because there's just no reason to play with the fans like that. There's no benefit to the Bears.

[WEFFPIM]

And that's why he didn't lie. He may have been misinformed by a doctor, though. Stuff like that happens all the time.

[LoveDaBoo]

And that's why he didn't lie. He may have been misinformed by a doctor, though. Stuff like that happens all the time.

Mike Florio is on the radio right now claiming that Lovie is saying that for strategic purposes.

[The Explorer]

And that's why he didn't lie. He may have been misinformed by a doctor, though. Stuff like that happens all the time.

Mike Florio is on the radio right now claiming that Lovie is saying that for strategic purposes.

What strategy is that? Its not like Green bay and Minnesota are preparing for their games against the Bears right now.