Jay Cutler: Bears vs. Vikings Hinges on QB Play

Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Jay Cutler and the Chicago Bears shocked the Cincinnati Bengals in week one, after they came back from an 11-point deficit in the second half to win the game. The most impressive part? Cutler was at the center of it all.

In a game where Andy Dalton and A.J. Green seemed unstoppable, it was the Bears’ quarterback that had the last laugh. Usually, the Bears aren’t always good under pressure when coming from behind. Cutler, on Sunday though, proved that trend wrong.

Under first year head coach Marc Trestman, Cutler has had to learn a big fat playbook and learn it fast. Every time he stepped up to the line of scrimmage, there were anywhere from three to five plays he could call. Wide receiver Brandon Marshall, in particular, was impressed with his quarterback, saying he saw some incredible leadership out of his teammate.

Against the Minnesota Vikings in week two, Cutler will need to be at his best again — as will be the case the rest of the season. If the Bears are to get going on offense, it will be because of first, the run game. Secondly, though, Cutler will have to make the right decisions at the line of scrimmage and in his progressions.

Both Marshall and Alshon Jeffery were his top targets in week one, combining for 18 targets. Marshall and Jeffery look like a very good combination in Trestman’s offense. Cutler loves having two big, tall wideouts on the outside. He also loves having a true tight end in Martellus Bennett.

Bennett was a big part of the Bears’ first game as he caught the day’s first touchdown in traffic, making an athletic leap and pulling down the catch amidst two defenders. The Bears’ offense looked much different Sunday because no one is used to the tight end being a factor in Chicago. Well, now it is.

Of course, the Bears will have to focus on stopping Adrian Peterson on defense, first and foremost. If the defense can get it done and put the Bears in good position offensively, Cutler is more apt to take advantage of it. The easier you can make it on Cutler, the better and more comfortable he’ll be. However, again, playing from behind last week Cutler showed poise like we hadn’t seen in a while.

Cutler surely has a different confidence about him this year already. He seems bought into Trestman’s system 100 percent. With a versatile back like Matt Forte and weapons in the passing game, not to mention a revitalized offensive line, Cutler could be in for a big year — finally. The next step is defeating a divisional rival whom knocked he and his Bears out of the playoffs last year. This game, without a doubt, will be personal.

Ryan Heckman is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ryanmheckman, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.