Call it the Toilet Bowl. Complete with interceptions, missed field goals, penalties and sacks, Sunday’s game was a close battle of which team would win the title of crappiest in the NFC North: the Bears or the Detroit Lions.
And that distinction went to the Bears, who finished their season in last place with six wins and 10 losses (one more win than last season) despite a strong second-half comeback after a scoreless first half.
In the end, Robbie Gould’s two field goals, Josh Bellamy’s touchdown and Matt Forte’s touchdown were not enough to keep the Bears from losing 24-20 to the Lions. Of course, Jay Cutler’s three interceptions didn’t help.
Before the last game of the season, we asked Bears tailgaters who showed up (for a game that mattered probably about as much as a preseason game) to shake off this season and look ahead.
As a Bears fan, what is your New Year’s resolution?
“My dad has season tickets. I guess I should badger him more for his tickets.” —Maddie Lardner, 22, Homer Glen
“Not to be mad at the ‘Star Wars’ losers. … They should leave the South Lot to tailgaters and not for the ‘Star Wars’ museum.” —Steve Reynolds, 39, Arlington Heights
“This is my first game this year, so to hit two next year. And get a better field-goal kicker. I love Robbie Gould, but he’s getting up there in age and missed game-winning field goals.” —Nick Rymus, 24, Edgewater
“Hopefully we’ll make the playoffs and at least one player will make the Pro Bowl.” —Michael Ayers, 22, Berwyn
What position should the Bears concentrate on fixing in the draft?
“Defensive [players]. Defense wins games.” —Lardner
“Offensive lineman to give Cutler more passing time. I don’t like Cutler, but we need to focus on the offensive line.” —Alex Juarez, 28, Aurora
“The Bears was always a defensive team, and now they’re not. … Linebacker, strong safety.” —Rymus
Keep Jay Cutler, yes or no?
“No, because he sucks and he’s a baby.” —Lardner
“Keep Cutler. Who else you gonna find to replace Jay Cutler?” —Bill Maloney, 30, Ukrainian Village
“Keep Cutler. He’s a great quarterback. All he needs is an offensive line.” —Rymus
“We should cut our losses and find somebody else. He’s a Pro Bowler but hasn’t played like a Pro Bowler. … You give him all that money, and he still doesn’t play well. His stats suck, and his attitude sucks from what I can see.” —John Merkel, 29, Oswego
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Keep Matt Forte, yes or no?
“Forte’s awesome, but [Jeremy] Langford is a good replacement.” —Reynolds
“He’s gone. We got an awesome substitute to make plays. Langford does a good job and he’s younger.” —Juarez
“He’s not done running. He’s a good running back, but get money for him while you can.” —Merkel
Give John Fox a grade for this season.
“John Fox did a tremendous job. Robbie Gould missed two or three game-winning field goals. … B, but we didn’t make it to the playoffs.” —Juarez
“B. Anything is an improvement from last season. Fox has a good track record of turning bad teams around.” —Maloney
“C. His play calling could be better, more aggressive. I’m a Lovie Smith fan, and I want him back.” —Rymus
“Given what he had, he did OK. C+ or B-.” —Ayers