Cutler has strong playoff debut as Bears top Seahawks 35-24..
Written by The Go-To-Man Mattie T. on January 16, 2011
The Chicago Bears set a franchise Divisional Playoff record for points scored as they beat the Seattle Seahawks 35-24 on Sunday afternoon from Soldier Field.
Jay Cutler turned in a strong performance in his postseason debut, as he completed 15 of 28 passes for 274 yards while throwing for 2 touchdowns.
Cutler also added 2 rushing touchdowns, as he became the first quarterback since Cleveland’s Otto Graham in 1941 to have 2 pass & 2 rush touchdowns in a playoff debut.
Seattle tried to spark a late 4th quarter rally after scoring two touchdowns in a 52-second span (Matt Hasselbeck to Mike Williams for 3 yards & to Brandon Stokley from 8 yards), but Olindo Mare’s onsides kick attempt was recovered by Johnny Knox.
The Seahawks’ run game was nonexistant on Sunday afternoon as Matt Forte (80 yards) outrushed Seattle’s entire team (34 yards) by himself.
Greg Olsen turned in an impressive playoff debut, as he caught 3 receptions for 113 yards, which included the early 58-yard touchdown from Cutler which put the Bears up for good.
The win means that Chicago will move on for an epic NFC Championship Game appearance against the rival Green Bay Packers with a berth to Super Bowl XLIV on the line. Kickoff will be at 2pm on Sunday, as the city is sure to be buzzing for the next week leading up to gameday.
Brian Urlacher summed it up best with the following quote:
“It’s a big deal. We have a lot of history with them. We don’t like them, they don’t like us.”
