Several weeks ago, it might have been laughable to suggest that the Bears and Arizona Cardinals are two teams in pretty much the same mess. It is not the least bit funny now.
Both have lost five of their last six. The Cardinals have lost nine of their last 10 but they have had a victory more recently (last Sunday over Detroit) than the Bears, who have not won since Nov. 25. They were both 4-1 at one point.
The Cardinals have a miserable situation at quarterback where sixth-round rookie Ryan Lindley has yet to throw a touchdown pass in four starts and against six interceptions. The Bears have a situation at quarterback as well, where Jay Cutler has thrown more interceptions (three) than touchdown passes (two) in the last two games with the NFC North and playoffs at stake. In the six-game swoon, Cutler has thrown five touchdown passes vs. six interceptions.
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It has been anything but all Cutler. Receivers also have dropped more TD passes than theyve caught and the offenses only two rushing touchdowns over the last six games came in that Nov. 25 win over Minnesota.
The point here is that Bears are every bit capable of losing the Arizona game with their offense, perhaps the summary irony of 2012 for a team that traded for a franchise wide receiver, drafted one in the second round and kept every key offensive piece in place.
This is how the Arizona game (and Bears record) looked to CSNChicago.com at what seems now like a very long time ago:
At Arizona Cardinals (8-8) Sun., Dec. 23, 3:15 p.m.
News
Analysis: Arizona reached .500 in 2011 but has done little in the offseason to get better and is converting to a 3-4. On offense neither Kevin Kolb nor John Skelton is enough to beat this Bears defense.
Result: W (11-4)
The good news for the Bears that Lindley is not enough to beat this Bears defense, either.
Bears 14 Cardinals 10