Staff ReportIt has been a rough week for Peter King, Sports Illustrated's NFL expert. King's the guy who, back in September, boldly projected a Super Bowl matchup pitting the Jay Cutler-led Bears against the New England Patriots.
After what we've witnessed in the past week, how's that matchup looking now?
The Patriots self-destructed Sunday night, blowing a 31-14 cushion in spectacular fashion. With New England's lead down to 34-21 and just over two minutes to play, coach Bill Belichick chose to go for the first down on fourth-and-two from his own 28. The Colts' defense held, and Peyton Manning quickly led a game-winning touchdown drive to keep Indianapolis unbeaten (9-0). New England fell to 6-3.
And, of course, we all know what happened to Cutler and the Bears last Thursday night in San Francisco.
In his Monday Morning QB column on SI.com,
King thoroughly berates Belichick for his blunder. As for Cutler, the
Bears' beleaguered quarterback earns King's "Goat of the Week"
distinction. Writes King of Cutler:
"I hear the natives in the Loop are beyond restless, and they're not naming sandwiches after Trader Jerry Angelo anymore. Cutler has been at his worst in prime time -- 12 night quarters on national TV, 11 interceptions -- including the five-interception game at San Francisco on Thursday night. There's no question Cutler's not alone in the Chicago blame game; his offensive line is helping kill the Bears offense. But a couple of Cutler's Thursday night interceptions, such as the one on the 49ers goal line to nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin, were absolutely careless, the kind of throws you see from a Josh Johnson. Very bad sign. Oh, and the next game is in prime time. At home. Against Philly. Wear a fur coat, Jay. Reception will not be warm."
Not surprisingly, no mention anywhere in the column of King's Super Bowl prediction.
"I hear the natives in the Loop are beyond restless, and they're not naming sandwiches after Trader Jerry Angelo anymore. Cutler has been at his worst in prime time -- 12 night quarters on national TV, 11 interceptions -- including the five-interception game at San Francisco on Thursday night. There's no question Cutler's not alone in the Chicago blame game; his offensive line is helping kill the Bears offense. But a couple of Cutler's Thursday night interceptions, such as the one on the 49ers goal line to nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin, were absolutely careless, the kind of throws you see from a Josh Johnson. Very bad sign. Oh, and the next game is in prime time. At home. Against Philly. Wear a fur coat, Jay. Reception will not be warm."
Not surprisingly, no mention anywhere in the column of King's Super Bowl prediction.
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Score was 34-28 with 2 minutes left. I wish it was 34-21.
"With New England's lead down to 34-21 and just over two minutes to play, coach Bill Belichick chose to go for the first down on fourth-and-two from his own 28."
For what it's worth, I think King took that prediction back weeks ago - the day after Urlacher got injured.