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.
Why did the Bears call three straight pass plays from the two-yard line when they were able to run the ball successfully against the Packers throughout most of Sunday's game?
Evan C.
Portage, Indiana
Bears coaches and players explained after Sunday's loss that the decision to pass the ball three straight times from the Green Bay 2 in the fourth quarter basically was due to how the Packers defense was lining up with extra defenders in the box to take away the run. Here's what quarterback Jay Cutler had to say when asked why the Bears didn't keep the ball on the ground in that situation: "You're not going to run against that front. We had some good play calls. We messed up a few things that will get corrected and give us some better opportunities there."
Congratulations to Robbie Gould on setting the Bears' all-time field goal record. How many attempts has he had compared to Kevin Butler?
Robert G.
Oak Lawn, Illinois
Heading into Sunday's game, Robbie Gould had made the same number of field goals (243) as Kevin Butler on 48 fewer attempts (284 versus 332). Making all three of his field goal tries Sunday, Gould inched ahead of Rob Bironas and is now the fifth most accurate kicker in NFL history, having converted 245 of 286 attempts (85.7 percent).
Why didn't the Bears kick a field goal to close the gap to 24-19 when they faced fourth-and-goal from the Packers' 2-yard line in the fourth quarter Sunday?
Steve F.
If the Bears needed two scores, I'm sure they would have settled for the field goal in that situation. But they were a touchdown and a two-point conversion from tying the game midway through the fourth quarter and I'm sure they felt they wouldn't have a better opportunity to get into the end zone than being at the 2. I'll bet they also felt that even if they didn't make it, they'd have the Packers pinned deep in their own territory and would have a chance to take advantage of good field position. That's actually what happened; the defense forced Green Bay into a three-and-out and the Bears took over the Packers' 41-yard line. Unfortunately, Clay Matthews intercepted Jay Cutler four plays later. Here's what coach John Fox said about going for a touchdown on fourth-and-goal from the 2: "At that point in the game, you have to be fairly aggressive. We didn't get any points, and I realize that. But we did get real good field position. I would do the same thing again, if that's what you're asking me."
