Chicago Bears Blown Out at Home by Arizona Cardinals, Lose 41-21

The Bears defensive problems were yet again exploited today by Arizona and their potent offensive game. Kurt Warner threw for 5 TD passes, which tied a career high for the 38-year old.

The Cardinals came into the game without Anquan Boldin, but that didn’t slow down the team at all. Larry Fitzgerald had nine catches for 123 yds and two touchdowns, while Steve Breaston also tallied a TD catch. It was all Arizona in the first half as Warner had four TDs and Arizona went into the half with a 31-7  lead.

The Bears’ defense looked like a high school defense in the first half as they couldn’t stop the Cardinals’ run or passing game. The Cardinals scored on every drive they had in the first 30 minutes.

It was embarrassing to watch the Bears get manhandled on their own turf, and the fans let them know that by booing after every Arizona TD.

The Bears just don’t seem to improve much week after week, although the offense did perform relatively well, especially in the second half.

An interception thrown by Matt Leinart was returned by Zack Bowman for 39 yards and led to a TD throw form Jay Cutler to Greg Olsen, who had three TD catches in the game. The score was then 34-21 with 9:06 left in the 4th quarter. It seemed like the Bears could pull off a comeback.

The comeback stalled, however, after Cutler threw an interception, although it was not his fault. Culter thought Earl Bennett would continue his route and did not have any more time to hold onto the ball. He threw the ball Bennett’s way but Bennett, instead of continuing his route, stopped and the ball was easily picked off.

That would seal the game in Arizona’s favor.

The Bears wasted a great performance by Cutler, one made all the more impressive by the constant duress he found himself under. He was sacked four times and hit on almost every drive. You could see the frustration on Cutler’s face after his O-line was unable to protect him.

As for the defense, this is not close to the defense that we saw the year the Bears went to the Super Bowl. Something needs to change and fast because it’s looking like the Bears are going to miss the playoffs for the third straight year.

The next few weeks are not in Chicago’s favor. The Bears play the 49ers, Eagles, and the Vikings the next three weeks. Those are some very tough matchups. Unless the Bears change the game plan defensively, which I don’t see them doing, I am betting that they lose at least two out of those three games.

NOTE: Bears defensive tackle Tommie Harris was ejected very early in the 1st quarter for clearly hitting Card’s offensive tackle Deuce Lutui.

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* – Jay Cutler photo credit: Nuccio DiNuzzo / Tribune via ChicagoBreakingSports.com

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