Jay Cutler Will Be X-Factor For Chicago Bears In Week 7

By Nick Wilder @NickCWilder on October 15, 2014

The inconsistency Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler has shown throughout his career in Chicago has become increasingly frustrating for the team. He will likely go down as statistically the best quarterback in the organization’s storied history, but they’ve only been able to obtain one playoff win in his six-plus seasons in the Windy City. This week against the Miami Dolphins, Cutler is once again the x-factor for the Bears.

In total this season, Cutler has 13 touchdowns, 1,676 yards passing, six interceptions and a quarterback rating of 97.4. Those numbers are very solid and he’s among the top-five quarterbacks in touchdowns and yards passing going into the week. However, his team sits at a 3-3 record going into their showdown with the young Dolphins on Sunday.

The Miami defense has been relatively average across the board statistically this season. They are 22nd in the NFL in points allowed per game and eighth in pass yards allowed per game. The opportunities will be there for Cutler to make plays against this defense and put some touchdowns on the board.

With the receiving weapons the former Vanderbilt star can utilize — which include Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery and Martellus Bennett — Cutler should be able to recognize mismatches throughout the game. Although he needs to be aware the Dolphins’ starting cornerbacks, Brent Grimes and Cortland Finnegan, are still respected veterans in the league and shouldn’t be taken lightly.

We’ve witnessed Cutler play poorly at random times throughout his career, but when he plays well, the team generally defeats teams of Miami’s caliber. It must be noted, however, that the Dolphins were just seconds away from defeating Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers last week, a team who demolished the Bears in Chicago three weeks ago.

If the Bears pull out the victory on Sunday, it will be due to Cutler playing a sound all-around game, consistently getting the ball into his playmakers hands and not committing more than one turnover in the process. If the quarterback comes out erratic and shows his obvious frustration, it will be tough for Chicago to overcome against the Dolphins.

Nick Wilder is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @NickCWilder and add him to your network on Google.