Bears fans, as a friend of mine said, are easily taken out of a game. And this was pretty evident right after the Packers had finished their masterful first drive. The Chicago fans were in a frenzy before the game, and exploded when the Packers returner slipped and fell on the opening kickoff. Then Aaron Rodgers led a surgical drive down the field (first play was a first down dart to Greg Jennings), the Bears vaunted defense looked exposed, and Rodgers, after completing all 4 of his passes for 76 yards on the first drive, bootlegged it into the endzone for a TD. Crowd silenced. When the Bears came out for their first possession and Jay Cutler missed (or Devin Hester stopped running) a sure touchdown catch, thats when the stadium lost most of its atmosphere. There were short bursts of emotion, but they just couldn't get back in it, even though the Bears were in it for the whole game. The Packers offense sputtered through the rest of the game (besides another brilliant TD drive), but the Bears were also unable to do anything. At halftime, after a lucky Lance Briggs interception had saved the Bears from going down three scores, it was still grim for Bears fans, even though many had the trademark naive fan optimism- "It's only two scores! We're still in it!". I walked inside to get some hot chocolate (wise move) and was met with the eyes of many, filled with scorn and a dwindling hope.
Why? I was in Packers gear. My friend Andrew (the ticket man) lent me a Greg Jennings jersey, I had my own hat and that was that. On top of my many layers was the Packers jersey, and to everyone in the stadium, I slipped into that identity. Before you scream "traitor! bandwagon jumper!"- I've been supporting the Pack as part of a three part friend group for four years now, a Packers fan had given me these awesome tickets, I loathe the Bears, and going to football games is always more fun with a rooting interest. I was invested in the game, but obviously it was a little hollow for me in the end- Andrew's joy and elation were 100x more than mine, because HIS team was going to the Super Bowl, whereas a team I was supporting just won. Let me just say, if the Bills go to the Super Bowl, I will be 100x the asshole that Andrew was and celebrate LIKE A MADMAN. Anyway, back to the game, and away from my assumed fanhood.
When the second half began, and Jay Cutler had led another ineffective series (not out yet), the Packers took over again, looking to put the game away. They got to the red zone, and Urlacher made a great interception and nearly returned it all the way. Rodgers, though, had gotten in his way. But the crowd had been momentarily revitalized, until, well, the new QB came out. When Todd Collins came into the game, it was surreal. No one in the stands knew Cutler was injured. Questions ranged from whether Cutler had been benched, or injured, or what the hell Lovie Smith was doing. A eight year old fan screamed "PUT CUTLER BACK IN, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!" after every play, just to ram the point back in. But I think that's when the Bears fans really knew it was over. Todd Collins is terrible. He's so bad that he couldn't land the Bills job...16 years ago. He is a hopesucker. When Lovie Smith finally put Caleb Hanie in, the fans were relieved, and cheered for him like he was a little kid playing in a park flag football game. "C'mon Caleb! We believe in you!"
For a short, glorious time, Caleb answered the prayers of Chicago fans by leading a scoring drive. But everyone was reminded of his 3rd String QB status by throwing the deciding pick six backed up in his own territory. Even with another scoring drive (where the Packers Defense just decided to not give up the big play), and the possibility that the Bears could tie the game late, the fans were fatalist, reserved, and scared-not loud and into it. They had been taken out a long time ago by the first drive, were driven into the ground by Todd Collins coming in, and only had flashes of recovery. They mirrored the team itself.
And, as for this whole Jay Cutler business. Yes, we will never know how bad his knee felt. But you have to question his passion when he sits on the sideline moping and doesn't appear to be making any efforts to come back, along with the fact that other QBs have played less meaningful games (or, in the case of Philip Rivers, games of the same magnitude) with similar injuries. What has really killed Cutler, though, is his public image. He is seen as a moper and crybaby, and so coming out of the game fed into that perception. If he was more popular in Chicago, things never would've escalated this far. It'll be interesting to see how he is treated next year and if he attempts to fix his image. Right now, the implication behind his action is that he quit. And Chicago can't handle that.
Also, I have a twitter now. Most of my posts are in jokes with friends, but I'll post about sports too. Follow me, and hear all my twats (tweets intended to be obnoxious, sometimes just because you're tweeting a lot). I'm @supercursed, ya dig?
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