Since there seems to be a big controversy regarding the Ron Jaworski's break down of each and every one of Jay Cutler's 26 INTs I figured I'd stop what I was doing and do my own write up on the 26 INTs Cutler threw this season.

Sean Jensen from the Chicago Sun Times did his own write up with Ron Jaworski giving a break down from NFL Films.  Jaworski as you know famously stated before the Vikings game on Monday Night Football that "of all the INTs Cutler has thrown this season I was only able to come up with three that weren't his fault."

I must point out that this was an ongoing article that I have been working on  in addition to other video review work.  In no way am I choosing to plagiarize or copy from the SunTimes.  I have consistently done video write ups throughout the season, and this just goes along with my routine.

So to wade into the debate with my own video analysis and interpretation of each Jay Cutler interception here's what I've come up with;  If you'd like to debate me on the merits of my video analysis please click on the link below for the highlight of the Cutler interception

INT #1  1-10-GB 31  (4:17) 6-J.Cutler pass deep middle intended for 88-D.Clark INTERCEPTED by 36-N.Collins at GB 12.

This is Cutler's first interception of the season and it comes on a drive in which the Bears were starting to build a little bit of momentum.  On the previous two passes Cutler is nearly picked off twice, one with an illegal hold and  pull that wasn't called, the other where illegal contact happened on the other side of the field giving the Bears a first down.  The second penalty that was called was away from the play in which Cutler was nearly picked off. 

Cutler experiences minimal pressure if any pressure at all on this play.  He scrambles right and throws to Clark who is double covered and has the ball picked off by the safety help over the top.  Bracketed by a safety over the top, and with a trailer in coverage behind him.  There is only slight pressure coming from Cutler's blind side, but there is room for him to step up into the pocket and deliver a throw or make another read.  Instead he scrambles right and makes a throw that is completely off balance and out of control, a bad decision on Cutler's part. 

INT #2 3-8-GB 8 (6:54) 6-J.Cutler pass short middle intended for 22-M.Forte INTERCEPTED by 97-J.Jolly at GB 12.

This is the interception that's clearly not Cutler's fault.  He maybe could have done a better job of setting up the execution of the screen, but Johnny Jolly simply makes a hell of a football play here.  If there is fault it's in the weak execution (the sell by the O-Lineman) that this is indeed a screen play.  Forte doesn't do a really good job of selling the play either.  Overall just poor execution on the part of the O-Line.

INT #3  3-8-CHI 46 (4:56) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass deep middle intended for 13-J.Knox INTERCEPTED by 38-T.Williams at GB 32.

This is the interception from the Packers game that's likely to cause the most debate between the apologists and the fans who want to put blame on Cutler.  On this play the pressure is immense and Cutler rolls away from the pressure to make the throw.  In addition to the pressure and throwing completely off balance, Cutler throws to Johnny Knox who has broken off his route as he sees Cutler begin to scramble.  The problem is Cutler is throwing at exactly the precise moment that Knox notices him rolling out of the pocket away from the pressure.  As has been discussed countless times this year regarding this precise type of scenario, receivers are taught, fundamentally that when you see your QB scramble, you are to run with him.  A receiver runs with his QB so that a QB has the option to potentially throw to him and can do so without having to throw back across his body.  The worst throw any QB in the NFL can make is when he's running away from pressure but throws back across his body to the opposite side of the field.

Unfortunately to the disdain of the apologist crew I have to put the blame of this interception on Jay Cutler.  My reason being is that Cutler is still making a bad decision under pressure and throwing to an area where there are too many defenders.  Cutler's initial judgement call to try and make a play is correct, throwing to where Johnny Knox will be.  However the throw ends up being across his body which is the worst of the judgment calls Cutler can make.  This is why the interception here is on Cutler rather than Johnny Knox.

INT #4 1-10-CHI 38 (1:06) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass short left intended for 13-J.Knox INTERCEPTED by 31-A.Harris at CHI 43.

Yet another interception that is controversial in that it involves Johnny Knox and it is open to interpretation.  Knox stops on his route, or is knocked off his route, it's very hard to say what precisely happens.  Chris Collinsworth clearly states that Knox stops his route and that Cutler is burned by the inexperience of his  young rookie receiver.  But the undercutting of the throw by Al Harris that knocks, Knox to the ground is almost reminiscent of the Kellen Davis knocked over INT in the 49ers game which I will cover later.  Cutler is not under pressure when he makes this throw, but he makes this throw off of a hot route read.

To me the most intriguing aspect of this play is how Harris almost fools Cutler into making this throw, based off of the pre-snap read Cutler sees.  If you notice on the first part of the play Harris is backed up off the line...he's playing off coverage, a pretty significant length off the receiver.  Cutler recognizes that off coverage as does Knox and they run the slant.  Harris however doesn't stay playing off, as Cutler takes his eyes off of Harris to receive the snap from center in the shot gun, Harris begins to creep up in anticipation of Cutler making the slant to Johnn Knox.

Now the reason I'm comfortable in making this more Cutler's fault is because for so much of the time in this game he is making this pre-snap read and it becomes a tendancy that's easily picked up on.  Harris picks up on Cutler's habit and makes his own adjustment based on  it.  Not to mention Cutler makes this read in anticipation of the Packers bringing multiple  blitzing rushers.

In the end my judgment call is to blame  Cutler for 1) forming tendancies throughout the game that Harris was able to pick up on  2) For rushing the throw to Knox, when the Packers ended up only bringing four rushers.

INT #5 Seattle game 1-10-SEA 17 (5:35) 6-J.Cutler pass short right intended for 13-J.Knox INTERCEPTED by 57-D.Hawthorne [55-D.Tapp] at SEA 12.

Unfortunately there's not a nifty little highlight link to the video of this Cutler interception, so the link will come from Screentoaster.com.  It's a video recording of the NFL Gamerewind pass I use to watch all of the NFL games to do my video analysis with.  So what you will be seeing is a recorded screen shot of my desk top and the video of the Cutler INT with it.  I apologize ahead of time if the quality of the recording doesn't turn out all that well.

A synopsis of what happens during the play that causes the INT.  Orlando Pace is bull rushed pretty easily back into Cutler, the pocket is breaking down around Cutler and Cutler never really gets his feet set on this throw.  As a result of Cutler never really getting his feet set he air mails a throw to Johnny Knox.  Knox is unable to jump up and catch and the deflection off of Knox is picked off.  Cutler not fully setting his feet before making the throw is the only questionable decision on his part but he didn't make a bad throw, it was the deflection of the football that was picked off.

INT #6 Falcons game 3-9-ATL 12 (7:08) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass short left intended for 23-D.Hester INTERCEPTED by 28-T.DeCoud at ATL 9.

Cutler's sixth interception of the year is his second interception of the season in the red-zone, though the first red-zone INT was the great play by Johnny Jolly.  Cutler again is under pressure here, but what truly defines the play is how he deals with the pressure and then makes his throw.  This is where I read Ron Jaworski's take in the INT and where I completely disagree with his take "that the protection is fine."  The protection is not fine as the pocket is collapsing around him.  However he could have dealt with the pressure better by not forcing a throw, and his check down option, Forte is wide open.  The thing that really helps the Falcons make a play on this is Cutler is backing up as he throws this ball.  Rather than stepping into his throw and delivering the football he's throwing off the back foot, which makes it even easier for a DB to make a play on the ball.  If  Cutler steps up and into his throw a bit sooner this pass may have even been complete.  As it is it's not a good throw.

INT #7 1-10-CHI 40 (10:28) 6-J.Cutler pass deep left intended for 82-G.Olsen INTERCEPTED by 28-T.DeCoud at ATL 30

This one is clearly a what the hell was he thinking throw, or a who in the hell was he throwing the pass to?  He simply over throws Greg Olsen by about 8-yards.  His fundamentals are fine, the protection is fine, the play-action is fine.  Cutler just over throws Olsen and it's picked off.

INT #8 Bengals game 1-10-CHI 31 (2:18) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass short left intended for 80-E.Bennett INTERCEPTED by 29-L.Hall.

Another what the hell were you thinking pass when Cutler throws into coverage and the ball is batted up into the air and intercepted.  There is double coverage where Cutler makes the throw, but the fact that the ball is batted into the air and then picked off isn't Cutler's fault.  It makes it a bit Cutler's fault because of the coverage he throws into on the play.  Better judgment should have been used when throwing the ball into coverage like this.

INT #9 4-5-CIN 40 (9:33) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass deep left intended for 80-E.Bennett INTERCEPTED by 29-L.Hall at CIN 13.

Fourth down and five the Bears are essentially out of this game so they're going for it out of desperation.  Cutler just steps back under pressure throws off his back foot deep to Earl Bennett into triple coverage where it's picked off.  It's almost as if he doesn't care on this play, I mean I get why he doesnt' care it's fourth down either way the ball is going back to the Bengals.  It's almost like a punt on this play because he throws the ball down the field instead of incomplete and gives the Bears better defensive field position.

INT #10 2-6-CIN 44 (3:15) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass deep middle intended for 82-G.Olsen INTERCEPTED by 42-C.Crocker at CIN 27.

Down 38-3 at this point there's no hope for the Bears to win this game or even come back and make it respectable.  The game is flat over, but it still doesn't excuse this throw.  A throw into triple coverage to Greg Olsen, no pressure, good mechanics and footwork, Cutler just simply throws it into triple coverage and has it picked off.  It's inexcusable but down 38-3 at this point Cutler just doesn't care anymore.

INT #11 Browns game 3-6-CHI 32 (12:11) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass short middle intended for 13-J.Knox INTERCEPTED by 21-B.Pool.

The pattern here through these first 11 INTs is Cutler making very poor decisions and throwing into coverage with the football. His footwork is poor on this play too.  He's back pedaling again when he makes this throw into coverage.  You can legitimately question his decision making on many of these passes here.  It's something that's completely inexcusable and it's a habit that needs to change.

INT #12 Cardinals game 3-10-CHI 17 (6:51) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass deep right intended for 80-E.Bennett INTERCEPTED by 22-M.Ware.

Down 34-21 the Bears are still in position to compete in this game, possibly come back in this game.  It's early in the fourth quarter when Cutler drops back again and makes another stupid throw into coverage.  From the shotgun which is the formation from which Cutler has made a vast majority of his interceptions from, it's yet another bad decision.  A killer decision that blows the Bears' chance at a fourth quarter comeback.  The interceptions are beginning to speak for themselves with the bad decisions.  It's nothing but pure frustration on this the 12th INT of the season.  Only 14 more to go...

INT #13 3-1-SF 1 (9:51) 6-J.Cutler pass short middle intended for 87-K.Davis INTERCEPTED by 92-A.Franklin at SF 1.

Now we come to the melt down game where just about everything went wrong for Cutler.  From receivers falling down on their routes to Devin Hester running into the official, things went completely wrong for Cutler in this game.  However of the five INTs Cutler threw in this game, only two were completely his fault and he threw three more passes in this game that should have or could have been picked off.  I pointed this out when I analyzed all of Cutler's 52 passes from this game back in November in this article. You mark those down in the bad decision making department.  A constant thorn in the side of this offense, the same song all year long, poor decisions that cost the Bears victories in some of their games.

The INT to Franklin happens in the red-zone yet again, is a pass that shouldn't have been thrown and we still don't know why it was thrown and never will.  It's probably the worst throw of the year for Cutler, especially in a game that the Bears could have or should have won based on the momentum they had when they weren't turning the ball over.  Cutler rolls out gets some pressure in his face and then simply throws the ball into quadruple coverage.

INT #14 1-10-SF 49 (2:22) 6-J.Cutler pass short right intended for 23-D.Hester INTERCEPTED by 25-T.Brown at SF 35.

This is the play where Cutler throws to Hester on a hook route, and Hester slips and falls as the pass is picked off.  It's one of those crap happens INTs that just kill your team at the most inopportune time. You let this INT slide and you move on from here.

INT #15 3-4-SF 43 (11:42) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass short right intended for 23-D.Hester INTERCEPTED by 38-D.Goldson at SF 43.

Unfortunately these next three INTs are what set off a fire storm of rage, arguments and debate amongst Chicago Bears fans.  This being the second INT in which Hester runs into the official who is stepping up directly into his path.  Another INT that wasn't Cutler's fault, and three in the game total that weren't his fault.  Where the line in the sand was drawn was that so many fans were so quick to excuse Cutler for so many of Cutler's INTs without truly recalling how bad things got for him.  Now with this article and video on all 26 INTs on the season we can see first hand precisely what happened each and every time.  So far the evidence continues to mount against Cutler that he made more poor decisions than not and that there weren't as many to blame against the receivers than originally thought.

INT #16 3-7-SF 47 (13:34) (Shotgun) 57-O.Kreutz to CHI 48 for -5 yards. FUMBLES, recovered by CHI-6-J.Cutler at CHI 48. 6-J.Cutler pass intended for 87-K.Davis INTERCEPTED by 26-M.Roman at SF 29.

It's hard for me to be lenient on Cutler on this play because the bad snap just throws off the entire timing of the route in the first place.  Cutler has to force the throw, and even though there is pass interference on this call that wasn't made, the sour taste still exists.  The Bears are still clearly in the game at this point and even though it is third down and you want to see your QB make a play here the pass was thrown with a little desperation involved.  Again though I can't blame Cutler for this INT there should have been pass interference called and he's trying to make a play.  It's a judgment call on how to fork the blame out here.

INT #17 2-10-SF 12 (:08) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass deep middle intended for 82-G.Olsen INTERCEPTED by 32-M.Lewis at SF -7

This is the interception that loses the game for the Bears.  It's only 2nd and 10, the Bears have a time out left and there is no reason to try to force the pass here.  Running up in the pocket like this really does nothing good for his mechanics which in turn effects the velocity and accuracy of this pass.  He likely shouldn't have made the throw regardless, he could have run it up the middle and then called the final time out.  All sorts of things could have happened that would have been better than this INT in the red-zone.  Fault Cutler for two INTs in this game but also some overall poor decisions that didn't lead to picks.

INT #18 Eagles game 2-10-CHI 37 (:52) 6-J.Cutler pass short right intended for 82-G.Olsen INTERCEPTED by 26-S.Jones (52-T.White) at 50.

Bears down 24-20 late in the game 52 seconds left in the game second down and ten from their own 37-yard line.  Bears trying to mount a fourth quarter comeback here, Cutler hadn't thrown a pick all game long.  Here it's prevent defense and he gets minimal pressure, steps up and throws the ball flat footed towards Olsen.  Olsen isn't anywhere near being open on the play, it's yet another bad decision on Cutler's part.  Time and again we've seen in this season and there's still eight more INTs to analyze at this point.

INT #19 Vikings game 2-3-MIN 22 (2:51) 6-J.Cutler pass deep left intended for 13-J.Knox INTERCEPTED by 23-C.Griffin at MIN -2.

This is just short of being a red-zone INT, but it's not as bad as a pass as it could have been.  It's good mechanics, good throw, it's just slightly under thrown and the defender makes a hell of a play.  It's single coverage and he's trying to give Knox a shot at making the play, he's just a little short on the throw.

INT #20 2-2-MIN 37 (1:06) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass short middle intended for 80-E.Bennett INTERCEPTED by 69-J.Allen at MIN 39.

Cutler here tries to make another play but the defender gets a good break on it and the ball is blasted up into the air and floats around forever before falling into the arms of Jared Allen.  Good play by Henderson, and just a silly pick that it shot straight up into the air.

INT #21 1-10-CHI 28 (3:31) 6-J.Cutler pass deep right intended for 19-D.Aromashodu INTERCEPTED by 21-C.Woodson at CHI 48.

Cutler really irritates the piss out of me on this throw.  The ball is underthrown and it shouldn't be, not with his arm strength and not with Devin Aromashodu being so freaking wide open.  Aromashodu beats his man and for some reason Cutler stands flat and just flips his hips, he puts no drive into the ball, no zip the pass just sails along.  It's the type of failure that just infuriates you as a fan because if he drives the ball he likely hits a wide open Aromashodu for a touchdown.  It's almost like he didn't care on this play and it once again cost him dearly.  Inexcusable...flat out inexcusable on this play.

INT #22 3-5-CHI 32 (13:39) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass short left intended for 13-J.Knox INTERCEPTED by 36-N.Collins at CHI 42.

I'm not precisely sure what the hell he was trying to do hear.  A double move to Johnny Knox off of the corner blitz?  The corner blitz and he tries a pump fake and the safety over the top doesn't fall for it at all.  Take the quick hitch to next don't do something silly and wind up with a pick, which is what happens.  Man the more I watch these plays the more frustrated with Cutler I become.  There's just a clear overwhelming majority of these passes that have come off of stupid mistakes.  Time and again, it's just frustrating to watch, thankfully it's not the middle of the season and I can watch it with a cool calm and level headed approach without bouncing off the walls.  But man, it's just ridiculous to see just how many bad throws Cutler made this year and this is another in a set of many throws.

INT # 23 3-7-BAL 48 (13:43) 6-J.Cutler pass short left intended for 19-D.Aromashodu INTERCEPTED by 24-D.Foxworth at BLT 46

Jesus Christ, at this point it's like well what the hell is one more INT on the season, I've thrown 22 to this point, might as well tack on another INT early in the game just to see if I can get it out of my system if we're still in the game late maybe I won't throw one then.  He throws to Aromashodu the defender simply steps in front and picks it off.  It's almost as if he threw the ball back left without even looking, just hoping the defender wouldn't be there. He's trying to out think himself at this point with trying to go right then come back left he's trying to get cute and in the NFL you can't be cute you have to make plays and Cutler doesn't and has failed to all season long.

INT #24 1-10-BAL 14 (5:36) 6-J.Cutler pass short left intended for 37-J.McKie INTERCEPTED by 95-J.Johnson at BLT 19.

Okay here's a play where the defender just makes a hell of a defensive play.  He jumps up into the air, tips it and then scrambles underneath it for the INT.  Like the Jolly INT in the first game of the season this play in the Baltimore game is just one of those where you tip your cap to the defender.  Great play dude, well deserved effort to make that INT.

INT #25 3-6-BAL 46 (6:40) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass deep left intended for 19-D.Aromashodu INTERCEPTED by 24-D.Foxworth at BLT 28.

Well this pick is another that really shouldn't have happened.  Mostly Cutler has been so shell shocked all season long because of the pressure on him time and time again that he steps up and makes a throw he doesn't have to.  The protection is pretty good for the most part, sure it could have been better, but Cutler just flinches and starts to scramble sooner than he should have.  He throws it trying to squeeze it in there and the defender just reads him and makes a clean break on the ball for the INT.  Good play, but he's still able to read Cutler to make the play.

INT #26 Vikings game 3-17-CHI 33 (:15) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass deep left intended for 80-E.Bennett INTERCEPTED by 23-C.Griffin at MIN 49.

The final what the hell were you thinking moment from Jay Cutler on the season.  The Bears are up 14 points here, they have the lead there is no reason to be taking a gamble like this, especially on third and 17.  You have the lead there is no reason to try to make a play that's not that, but Cutler does anyway and the defender breaks on the ball and makes the pick.  Cutler is smart to turn and try to set his feet but he's giving the defense all the time in the world to read where he's going with the football and then make a play on the ball.  Because he's so late on the pass the defender knows right where he intends to go with the pass.

So out of the 26 INTs I have a count of 19 INTs that were Cutler's fault and seven that weren't his fault.  That's the final tally as I finish this write up.  The obviously doesn't take into account other throws that Cutler made that just as easily could have been picked off.  Although in this article I mention at least five other occasions, two from the Packers game, and three from the 49ers game that were bad plays that the defender nearly picked off the pass.  So on at least 24 occasions this season Cutler threw a pass that was intercepted, or could have been intercepted had the defender been more focused on making the actual interception.

Overall thought 19 of 26 isn't a ratio you'd like to have out of your quarterback that's far too many interceptions at times that clearly cost the Bears some victories.

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