Well, Christian Ponder looked a lot less shaky than he did last week. That’s good news. The Vikings secondary, on the other hand, did not look less shaky. In fact it looked just as shaky as always. When Rex Grossman picks you apart, you know you have a bad pass defense. The Redskins would probably be way ahead right now if they could stop committing dumb penalties. There’s a reason they’re 5-9. The Vikings actually have a shot to win this game, which is good news or bad news depending on your point-of-view.

I’ll be rooting for more Jared Allen sacks in the second half. Beyond that, I refuse to say.

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Actually, that is an understatement.  The Jay Cutler the Bears thought they were getting was a Pro Bowl-level quarterback with some possible mental issues; the guy they’ve actually gotten is an interception machine who pouts during the game, makes idiot comments after the game and generally has Bears fans pining for the glory days of Rex Grossman.

To Cutler’s credit, he seems aware of how bad he’s stunk up the place.

“I haven’t played up to my expectations,” the quarterback admitted. “I think that’s the most important part. I can play better. I know that. It’s a process, though. I think everyone in the offense knows what we’re trying to get done. We’re dressing young guys. We’ve got some new guys and we’re still trying to gel a little bit. It’s going to come though.”

Note that, after pointing the finger at himself for not playing well, Cutler whips out a few convenient excuses, like “we’re dressing young guys” and “we’ve got some new guys.”  Cause great leaders always hang the blame on the rookies.

Clearly, the Cutler trade has been a fiasco for the Bears.  Instead of taking the next step by finally getting a “real quarterback”, the team has lost its identity and gone way backward.  Now Lovie Smith has to deal with rumors of Bill Cowher wanting to take his job.  I’m sure that will help him concentrate on getting fixed what needs to be fixed.

All I can say for disgruntled Bears fans is, just hope Detroit doesn’t beat the Packers on Turkey Day, and your team lose to the Vikings on Sunday.  Cause then you’ll only be one game ahead of the Lions.

I know Cutler already has alienated enough small pockets of fans at various appearances in Chicago to produce a flurry of furious e-mails, such as the one from a guy at Wrigley Field last week who criticized the quarterback for waving off autograph seekers. “His lack of appreciation for fans will be his undoing in Chicago,” Glen. R. wrote me.

We’ll see, but if Cutler experiences an undoing in Chicago it will have more to do with the people on the field than in the stands. Generally speaking, the same folks complaining about Cutler’s insouciant behavior will be cheering him on his first 350-yard Sunday.

Sure, Cutler could do himself some favors by exuding more charm or suffering the occasional fool with a little less outward disdain. But those who have been Bears fans for two decades, or two generations, need to remember Cutler has been here for two months. There will be — and has been — a degree of culture shock. Denver isn’t Chicago. Eventually, Cutler will adjust because he will learn life is easier that way in this tradition-rich football city. If he doesn’t, then he will get what he deserves.

I’m guessing that Bears fans will like Cutler if they win, and hate him if they don’t.  Actually, I’m not sure about that either – they won with Rex Grossman, made to the Super Bowl even, but still hated Grossman’s guts.  That was of course more about performance than attitude, but still, it matters to make a good impression on the fans, especially when you’re the new guy in town.  After you’ve won them over with your on-the-field exploits, then you can start blowing them off.  Seems like Cutler is just an all-around punk jack-ass, which means he will fit in nicely on the Bears.