Dec. 06--The Bears' 41-28 loss to the Cowboys on Thursday night at Soldier Field was the team's sixth defeat this season by 10 points or more and the third in which they fell behind by at least 28. Still, Bears coach Marc Trestman asserted Friday that the backing he has felt from throughout Halas Hall hasn't dipped as the team's struggles have compounded.
"I don't think it ever has changed here. By all the key parties that you're thinking about," Trestman said. "It has been tremendously supportive, during the good weeks and bad weeks. And it has been extremely consistent by everybody here."
Now 5-8, the Bears are highly likely to miss the playoffs for the seventh time in the last eight seasons. And only three times in the 21st century have they failed to win at least seven games -- in 2000 (5-11), '02 (4-12) and '04 (5-11) -- a victory total they have to work to reach with remaining contests against the Saints, Lions and Vikings.
Still, Trestman said he hasn't been given any direct ultimatums for what he has to accomplish or show to retain his job.
"The only thing that people ask me here is what can they do to help," Trestman said. "And that comes from all areas of this building. What can we do to help you along? And that support has been very heartfelt."
You can't do that: Alshon Jeffery's second-quarter false start penalty was the offense's 17th such misstep this season, a peculiar sign of regression for a unit that had only eight false starts last season.
Eight offensive players have drawn false start flags this year with Jordan Mills leading the way with four and Jeffery, Kyle Long and Jermon Bushrod chipping in with three apiece.
"It's difficult to pinpoint," Trestman said. "Because it's never the same person. That has been the most difficult thing. ... And it's predominantly the same group of guys we had a year ago."
Three of the Bears' nine penalties on Thursday night came on offense.
Said center Roberto Garza: "We keep shooting ourselves in the foot and it's the same things we've said all year long. Until we get that fixed, it's going to be the same result."
'Jay is our quarterback': Trestman was firm in backing Jay Cutler as his starting quarterback, quickly dismissing a question on whether the team needed to see backup Jimmy Clausen running the offense to get a more complete evaluation at the position.
"Jay is our quarterback," Trestman said. "If he's available to play, he's going to play. Jimmy is continuing to work in the offense and he practices and we certainly like having him. But as we get ready for New Orleans next week Jay will get the reps and he'll be playing."
Cutler's fourth-quarter interception against the Cowboys was his 21st turnover this season and 184 of his 341 passing yards came in the fourth quarter. The Bears entered that period trailing 35-7.
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