Jay Cutler Injury: Reports of Broken Thumb Puts Great Pressure on Bears Defense

The Chicago Bears playoff hopes came crashing down after a Jay Cutler injury is likely to sideline him for the rest of the season, but they can be saved if the defense is able to carry the load. That's easier said than done, especially in the tough NFC North.

It's not hard to forget how prominent the Bears defense used to be, carrying the team for most of the year. I know everyone remembers the days with Rex Grossman at quarterback. 

Now Caleb Hanie will take over as the starter, and the defense has to step up and be the difference-maker in every single game. The offense still has Matt Forte, but it's no secret the team won't be as good without Cutler. 

Yes, he's had his ups and downs—with some of those being really down—but Cutler makes Chicago a playoff contender, and Hanie doesn't. 

Of course, Hanie could definitely surprise us all, but that remains to be seen. Given the fact he hasn't played a down this regular season, things may not go over so well at the beginning. 

Vaughn McClure, the Bears beat writer for the Chicago Tribune, first tweeted the news, and the length of Cutler's injury is the real dagger. 

He broke his thumb on his throwing hand, and while there is hope he can return should the Bears make the playoffs, that is no guarantee considering there are six games left in the regular season.

The Bears have reeled off five straight victories, which is certainly impressive no matter whom you're playing. Developing a solid win streak is a difficult achievement in the NFL. 

In those five games, the Bears defense only allowed an average of 17 points, and that type of play must continue for the rest of the season. The most pressure is placed on the secondary, which has been a weak spot for Chicago this season.

The pass defense ranks 30th in the NFL, and that must improve if Chicago expects to make the playoffs. At 7-3 right now, everything was looking good, that is, until Cutler broke his thumb.  

With games at Oakland, Denver and Green Bay, as well as hosting Kansas City, Seattle and Minnesota, the defense will have to deliver in the clutch to save the season. 

Some of those may sound like easy wins, but with a backup quarterback who has very little experience, you never really know what you're going to get. 

Sure, Hanie looked good against Green Bay last season when Cutler had the mysterious knee injury, but it's hard for me to believe the Packers weren't letting up some since it was just the backup quarterback. 

The two early-season wins over the Detroit Lions really help, but since both teams still have the same record right now the reason of the season matters a great deal. Winning the division is out of the questions because the Packers are too dominant this year, which means the fight for the wild-card spot is on. 

Chicago's defense must rise up and take over this team, or else the dreams of another playoff run will be over.