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NFL: Surprises And Disappointments In The First Half

By Carlos Nazario

Oct 5, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) congratulates Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) after making a catch in overtime as Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrance Williams (83) looks on in the game against the Houston Texans at AT&T Stadium. Dallas beat Houston 20-17 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 5, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) congratulates Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) after making a catch in overtime as Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrance Williams (83) looks on in the game against the Houston Texans at AT&T Stadium. Dallas beat Houston 20-17 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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NFL: Chicago Bears at New England Patriots
Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

Disappointment: Chicago Bears

The Bears entered the season with high hopes. Last season they had the second highest scoring offense in the NFL. That was in coach Marc Trestman’s first year in Chicago. The thought was another training camp in the offense would make the Bears offense be even better.

The Achilles heel for the Bears last season was their putrid defense. They ranked near the bottom in almost all the stats. It was one of the worst defenses in team history. The Bears spent a lot of money and draft picks on fixing that defense.

Well, after all that investment in the defense, things are still the same. While last season the Bears defense ranked 30th in yards allowed, they rank 19th this season. Last season, they ranked 31st in points allowed, while this season they rank 29th.

The defense collapsed in their last game against the New England Patriots. They gave up 38 points in the first half (most in team history), and 51 total.

What has been really disappointing for the Bears is their offense. They rank 14th in overall yards and just 20th in points scored.

Quarterback Jay Cutler is having a bipolar season. Statistically, he is having the best season since he got to Chicago. He has completed 67 percent of his passes, has thrown for 2,093 yards, has 17 touchdowns against 8 interceptions and has a 95.8 passer rating.

Those are good numbers. He has more than twice the touchdown to interception ratio. The problem is WHEN he is throwing the picks and his ball protection. He has lost four fumbles, so add that to the interceptions and he has 12 turnovers. And he has thrown his interceptions at the most inopportune times. He has thrown interceptions late in games and in the red zone. His interceptions are killing good drives and also killing morale.

After an ugly loss to the Miami Dolphins, his bff, Brandon Marshall, reportedly called Cutler out. Those turnovers are driving his teammates crazy and things have to change in the second half. If Cutler doesn’t make the proper changes, things could get very ugly in Chicago.

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