[dropcap]Y[/dropcap]esterday’s 31-24 loss at the Carolina Panthers (3-2) hurts the Chicago Bears (2-3) in more ways than one.
Let me start off by saying that former Bear tight end Greg Olsen killed his former team Sunday, finishing the game with six catches for 72 yards and two huge touchdowns. This coming days after former Bears general manager Jerry Angelo stated that he made a mistake in trading Olsen a few years back. Panthers quarterback Cam Newton found Olsen in the end zone with 2:18 left to provide the go-ahead score.
How about number two being the fact that the Bears squandered a 21-7 lead as quarterback Jay Cutler had three turnovers including two interceptions. The Chicago offense had three turnovers on their final three possessions.
Another shot to the Bears hopes was that kicker Robbie Gould, who is usually automatic, missed a 35-yard chip shot late in the first half that gave the Panthers momentum going into halftime.
The Bears did have a good start to the game and scored 14 points off of Panthers turnovers to build their 21-7 lead. It was downhill after the Gould miss. Cutler finished 28 of 36 for 289 yards and two touchdowns and those two interceptions. Running back Matt Forte had 61 rushing yards and added 105 receiving yards on 12 catches but his fumble with the game tied at 24 proved costly. The Panthers sealed the victory with a sack and forced fumble by Cutler as time expired.
Wide receiver Brandon Marshall looks like he is still favoring his ankle injury after finishing the game with three catches for 44 yards, his second average game in a row. Receiver Alshon Jeffery snagged six balls from Cutler for 97 yards and one touchdown.
The Bears take their 2-3 record into Atlanta this coming Sunday to play the 2-3 Falcons and the high powered offense led by quarterback Matt Ryan and receivers Julio Jones and Roddy White. It also will mark the first time the Bears will face former receiver and return specialist Devin Hester.
