Chicago Bears: Analyzing The Loss To The Giants, Who Gets The Blame?

The offensive line for the Chicago Bears is a train wreck and they played even worse than usual on Sunday night in a 17-3 loss to the New York Giants at the Meadowlands, but where was that ability to adjust that we saw in the Cowboys game?

Why did the Bears continue to try pass after pass when it was apparent that Jay Cutler and the line were not up to the task?

Speaking of Cutler, you may think TV analyst Cris Collinsworth—whom I do not like at all—was a bit harsh but for once I think he was spot on in his criticism of Cutler tonight.

Cutler knew he had no time to throw, yet continued to hold onto the ball way too long. On more than one of the sacks he had ample time yet didn't get rid of the ball. Cutler simply can't seem to read defenses and for some reason can't play well in prime time, when he is winless.

One can't pin all the blame on Cutler, who left the game after the first half with an apparent concussion, but how many times do you need to get hit before you understand that you need to get rid of the ball quickly? And what if no one is open? Throw it away.

Let's take a look at one of the Bears' worst offensive performances in recent memory and dissect what went wrong.

The Offensive Line Should Refuse To Accept Pay For Their Performance

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 03: Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears gets sacked by Justin Tuck #91 and Chris Canty #99 of the New York Giants at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 3, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Michael Heiman/Getty I

How many QBs must be practically killed for this group of guys to collectively just admit they stink and refuse to be paid for their wretched performance?

Cutler may have been concussed and Todd Collins gets knocked out, forcing third-string Caleb Hanie to come into the game.

The line didn't give the Bears much of a chance to get back into the game once they were down. Their awful protection made the defense feel like they had to play a perfect game, and that is impossible, of course.

Right tackle Frank Omiyale, when not jumping offsides, simply can't block anyone.

There is no running game, and that is as much about the inability to pass tonight, though even in weeks when Cutler was good, the rushing has not been good.

How Long Have We Been Saying That Jay Cutler Has To Make Better Decisions?

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 03: Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears passes against Michael Boley #59 of the New York Giants at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 3, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

I know that he had little time to set himself and throw the ball, but for far too long the knock against Jay Cutler is that he doesn't make good decisions.

Before he got his bell rung one too many times, Cutler threw an interception when he had enough time and simply did not read the defense properly. He also badly underthrew one to a wide-open Devin Hester that would have gone for a TD.

He is getting better at throwing the ball away instead of forcing it into tight coverage. But he has to be smart enough to know that he must get rid of the ball quicker with his line playing like they are. Instead of holding the ball, he needs to either run or fling it out of bounds.

I won't go on because that wouldn't be fair to Cutler, who didn't have a chance to redeem himself in the second half. But at least some of the blame has to fall on Cutler's shoulders.

Mike Martz Needs To Adjust

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CHICAGO - AUGUST 21: Offensive coordinator Mike Martz of the Chicago Bears talks with Jay Cutler #6 during warm-ups before a preseason game against the Oakland Raiders at Soldier Field on August 21, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Get

Where was that adjustment that we saw from Mike Martz in the Dallas game? In the second half, the Bears tried to run the ball more but that was more to do with who they had at QB than a true adjustment.

Martz simply cannot continue to be stubborn and go with seven-step drops with an offensive line like the Bears have.

Martz needs to call quick, short outlet passes. They must make adjustments not only from game to game and within the game, but also to adjust to their personnel.

His offenses have long been known to rack up the sacks and the mistakes. But that's fine when your QB gets rid of the ball quickly and you also rack up the points.

Tonight, the system produced only the bad stuff and none of the good.

Can a tiger change his stripes? Can an old dog learn new tricks? Can I continue to make cliches like this?

Well yes I can...thanks for asking. But can Martz? That remains to be seen.

I Know It's Hard, But Give Credit To the Giants

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 03: Ahmad Bradshaw #44 of the New York Giants runs the ball against the Chicago Bears at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 3, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

The Giants defense played a stellar game and showed hunger born out of desperation, while the Bears looked flat. But give them credit. While we bash the Bears it is only fair to mention how well the Giants played.

Ten sacks—no matter how bad the offensive line is—are the most a Bears team has ever given up.

Justin Tuck was a man possessed despite injuries. Also consider that the Giants allowed only 110 yards to the Bears offense. That is pretty amazing no matter who the opponent is.

Meanwhile only the Chiefs remain undefeated while the Bears may be on their way to struggling from now on. I hope I'm wrong but after all, this is a team that won despite playing ugly at times so you have to wonder if their luck has run out.

The Giants, on the other hand, may now finally have the confidence to get back in the race. But make no mistake—this is not a real good Giants team. But tonight they certainly were.