I got some thoughts about this one. (Deep breath.)

Jay, Jay, Jay

That was the worst game Jay Cutler has played this season. He’s been bad in moments all season — and some of the blame for those picks can be shared — but that was pretty bad.

I’ve defended Cutler … probably too much. Since they traded for him, he could steal a candy bar from a kid with Diabetes and my first two words would be, “Yeah, but …” I can’t defend this though. The first interception was the worst of the bunch. There’s no way that ball is caught by a Bears player. Even if Aubrayo Franklin (who made the inteception) doesn’t drop into coverage, that pass is intercepted by one of the other two guys standing exactly where he was throwing it. And here comes an obvious statement: considering where the Bears were on the field (the 1-yard line), it’s not worth the risk. I … I … just don’t know why he threw it.

Same can be said about Dashon Goldson’s interception in the third quarter — the one where Devin Hester ran into referee. What’s the reward for that throw. The Bears were in a 3rd and 4 situation. Cutler was under fire, stepped up, and flicked the ball towards Hester running a crossing route about a yard over the line of scrimmage. Even if Hester avoids the ref and makes the catch, he’s not getting a first down. Take the sack. Run a couple yards and slide, I don’t care. Just don’t throw it.

‘Rush Men’ show a pulse

In the 49ers preview I said Cutler was the Bears’ biggest advantage, so I was obviously disappointed with his performance. Somewhere closer to the positive side is the Bears’ defensive line, who I expected nothing from, but did as well as they have all season. Tommie Harris spent more time in the backfield and less time playing “Got your nose” with an opposing offensive lineman. The ends forced Alex Smith out of the pocket a few times, and in terms of situation, the Bears did a decent job against Frank Gore.

Gore ran for 104 yards on 25 carries, but most of these yards came in a couple of large chunks. I understand this is like saying, “Cutler was great minus the 5 interceptions,” but the Bears stood Gore up a few times at the line of scrimmage; preventing sustained drives and keeping the Niners in 3rd and long situations. Alex Smith doesn’t excel at 3rd and long situations.

The line stepped up in short-yardage too. When the 49ers lined up to go for it on 4th and a foot, not a fiber of my being thought the Bears would stop them. It was nice to see.

Ok, enough nice things. This is a summary of the Bears’ defensive line’s season: a game in which they had four offside penalties is the game where I think they had their best game.

Forte. Meet Frank Gore. Run like Frank Gore.

A lot of Forte’s disappointing season can be blamed on the offensive line, but not all of it. In comparison to Gore, Forte looked especially ordinary running the ball.

Gore had one run in particular. In the middle of the fourth quarter, the 49ers ran what seemed like seven or eight draw plays in a row — basically because they didn’t trust Alex Smith, but didn’t want to make it obvious they were running. Well, on one draw play in particular, Tommie Harris busted through the gap on the right side of the offensive line — the hole Gore was supposed to run threw. Harris just blew it up, nowhere for Gore to go. Gore planted his right foot in the ground, cut left, and sprinted to the outside of the left tackle. Lance Briggs came across the line to make the stop, but the point is, Gore gained three yards on a play that was blown up from the start.

When Forte’s holes are blown up (basically all but four plays a game), his running consists of hopping laterally, looking for another hole. He looks like a moguls skier — bouncing back and forth — until someone knocks him off his skis.

Ron, I’m not mad, but where’s the boot

Ron Turner gets a bad rap as an offensive coordinator. If Bill Walsh had this offensive line, he wouldn’t have a coaching tree that extends like it goes all the way back to Moses. And he wouldn’t have written any books, unless they were about dealing with second year right tackles who get late hit penalties with less than two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and their team down by four points.

Saying that, I do have one complaint: where’s the bootleg. He said there would be more bootlegs and plays that moved the pocket; I haven’t seen any. I have seen Cutler get kicked around like he’s Garret Wolfe.

The problem is the offensive line breaks down from any and all angles. Cutler doesn’t always have space to roll right, roll left, or step up; he might as well be playing on a knee.

Hey announcers, it’s not 2006

Is any Bears fan excited when Hester is back to return a punt? Every announcer, at least once a game, talks about how electrifying he is, but I can’t say I sit back, relax and strap it down when he’s back there anymore.