After a horrific performance from Todd Collins, the Chicago Bears are more than happy to welcome back Jay Cutler this week.
Cutler returns from a one-week absence Sunday as the NFC North-leading Bears host the Seattle Seahawks, who have had a week to integrate newly acquired running back Marshawn Lynch into their offense.
Cutler last was under center in Week 4, but he wasn’t on the field long. The New York Giants sacked him nine times in the first half and he was forced to exit the game with a concussion.
Chicago held Cutler out of last week’s contest against Carolina, which marked the first time he’s missed a start in his five-year career.
Collins, 38, was called on to start and finished a pathetic 6-of-16 for 32 yards with a career-high four interceptions. He was demoted to third-string earlier this week.
The Bears (4-1) were able to overcome the atrocious effort thanks to a breakout game from Matt Forte and their defense, which is starting to regain its swagger.
Forte, who had been averaging 33.5 yards per game, ran for a career-best 166 yards and two touchdowns and the Bears picked off three passes.
Part of the reason the Bears are atop the NFC North is the re-emergence of their defense.
Chicago was 21st in the league in scoring defense a season ago, but the Bears are currently fifth (14.8) in that category this season.
Another reason is Cutler, who was off to a terrific start before being injured. He has thrown for 912 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions in Mike Martz’s pass-heavy offense.
Cutler will attack a Seattle secondary that is 31st in the league against the pass (302 ypg) despite the addition of play-making rookie safety Earl Thomas.
Thomas is a freakish athlete who has three of the team’s five interceptions and could be on his way to Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. He could add to his total against Cutler, who threw 26 interceptions a season ago.
Seattle (2-2) had an active bye week, as the Seahawks traded for Lynch on Oct. 5 and also sent wide receiver Deion Branch to New England for a fourth-round pick on Tuesday.
Lynch’s off-the-field transgressions and the addition of rookie C.J. Spiller helped punch his ticket out of Buffalo, a city he never embraced.
In Seattle, Lynch gets a fresh start and a chance to help jump-start a rushing offense ranked 29th in the league (79.5 ypg). He will split carries with Justin Forsett, who has rushed for 215 yards this season.
Branch's departure means veteran quarterback Matt Hasselbeck will be throwing to a very inexperienced receiving corps. Second-year speedster Deon Butler will move into a starting role along with the seldom-used Ben Obomanu.
Recently signed Brandon Stokley and rookie Golden Tate will also see an increase in playing time.
Seattle, which has lost two of the last three meetings, is looking to avoid starting 0-3 on the road for the third consecutive season.