Chicago Bears: Jay Cutler Must Return for Chicago to Have Shot at Playoffs

Jay Cutler was playing the best football of his six-year NFL career before being sidelined with a broken thumb on Nov. 20 against the San Diego Chargers. He recorded 2,319 yards and 13 touchdowns this season.

If the Chicago Bears want any chance of making the postseason, Cutler has to return to the field for the final two games against the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings. The Bears are optimistic about his chances.

Caleb Hanie has been awful since taking over for the injured star. Hanie has thrown six interceptions and is 0-3 in his first three starts.

He has totaled 248 yards passing in his past two losses.

Cutler can’t come back soon enough. An 80 percent Cutler is better than a 100 percent Hanie.

This is especially the case with running back Matt Forte out of the lineup as well. The offense is severely hindered without Cutler or Forte.

Chicago is facing elimination if they can’t find a way to get the job done at the tail-end of the season. The Bears are battling the Atlanta Falcons, Detroit Lions and maybe one NFC East team for the two wild card positions.

Detroit has eight wins and Atlanta has nine wins to enjoy the edge right now.

It’s put up or shut up time if the Bears want to partake in the postseason.

The Bears (7-6) need victories. It’s now or never. If Cutler is 80 percent, then he has to go out there and prove that he is willing to risk further injury for the betterment of the team.

If he does, nobody will remember when Cutler didn’t return against the Packers in last year's NFC Championship Game.