Wondering about a player, a past game or another issue involving the Bears? Senior writer Larry Mayer answers a variety of email questions from fans on ChicagoBears.com.
I can't help but think that Jay Cutler performs worse during night games than daytime. Do the stats back that up?
Jared
Brisbane, Australia
With Jay Cutler preparing to play Monday night in Dallas a few weeks after struggling in a Thursday night loss in Green Bay, I've received several emails asking the same question you posed. Here's what I discovered after doing some research: Cutler has played 44 games since joining the Bears in 2009, with 13 of those contests at night (nine on the road and only four at home). Three of the four games in which Cutler has thrown four or more interceptions in his career have come at night; he threw five picks in a 2009 loss in San Francisco and four picks in defeats in Green Bay in 2009 and 2012. While those three games skew the stats, he has performed pretty well in his 10 other night games, compiling a 6-4 record while passing for 16 touchdowns and eight interceptions. There seems to be more of a discrepancy in Cutler's stats in terms of home versus road rather than day versus night. He has passed for 39 TDs and 24 interceptions with an 86.8 passer rating in 24 home games and 27 TDs and 31 interceptions with a 73.1 passer rating in 20 road contests. Interestingly, Cutler has excelled on Monday Night Football, winning four of five starts. In those games, he has passed for 11 TDs and three interceptions while compiling passer ratings of 108.4, 82.5, 106.6, 99.6 and 96.9.
How does Alshon Jeffery compare stat-wise to other rookie receivers around the NFL?
Al S.
Chicago
Alshon Jeffery entered Week 4 leading all NFL rookies with 132 receiving yards and ranked third with nine receptions. Jeffery was the seventh receiver chosen in the 2012 draft, selected by the Bears with the 45th overall pick in the second round.
What is the Bears' team record for most sacks in a season? I'm guessing it was done by the '85 Super Bowl champs.
Robert B.
Schaumburg, Illinois
The team record actually belongs to the 1984 Bears, who compiled 72 sacks. The 1985 Super Bowl champs recorded 64, which is third all-time. The 1987 registered 70 in only 15 games. (One game was cancelled due to a players' strike.) With 14 sacks in their first three games, the 2012 Bears are on pace for 75. Sacks, by the way, did not become an official NFL statistic until 1982.
