November 20th, 2011. That was the last time that—as a Bears fan—I can honestly say that I felt good about the team’s chances on any sort of long-term basis. Chicago was sitting at 7-3 after an appearance in the conference championship game the year before. Mike Martz was getting Cutler killed, Johnny Knox was the team’s leading receiver, and the defense was an infuriating blend of flexible and fierce. Still, somehow, the Bears were winning.
Then Jay broke his thumb.
For the rest of the season, I held out hope that the team might sneak into the playoffs on the record they already had, but it quickly became obvious how much of the offense was essentially Cutler’s will and athletic talent covering up for Martz’s outdated scheme.