Jeff Dickerson

  (1:31 PM)

Greetings from Halas Hall. Bears head coach Lovie Smith just wrapped up his press conference and now Tim Jennings has walked to the podium, but it's time to answer the questions you have after the 23-22 win over Carolina.

Mitch (Cedar Rapids, IA)

With having all the pieces the Bears have right now, would you say it is clear that they are a team that can win a Superbowl or is it more of a hope they can win?

Jeff Dickerson

  (1:33 PM)

Sure, the Bears are capable of winning the Super Bowl. How many great teams are there really in the NFL? If the defense plays at this level the entire year, I have no doubt the Bears will make the postseason. If that happens, anything is possibe. Just make the playoffs.

Dave (Tampa)

How is Marshall's Ankle? going to miss anytime?

Jeff Dickerson

  (1:34 PM)

Lovie Smith said nobody suffered a serious injury in the game. I'm sure Marshall's ankle might be a little sore but I don't expect him to miss any time.

Dustin (STL)

Whats the latest on Jeffery? If he is out longer then expected,do you see emery going out and getting another WR before the trade deadline that's fast approaching?

Jeff Dickerson

  (1:37 PM)

Jeffery might still be out for a couple of games. But he'll be back soon. So, to answer your question, I don't see the Bears making a move for another WR, unless Bennett gets badly hurt again. Wasn't the time to bring in another WR when Jeffery first got injured?

Matt (Lincoln Park)

Why hasn't Evan Rodriguez played in the last two games?

Jeff Dickerson

  (1:38 PM)

He claims it's because of the packages being used on offense, but I wonder if he's all the way recovered yet from his knee injury. Kind of odd to be active and not play. Must not have his legs back yet.

Zach (Zeeland, MI [via mobile]

Should we (Bears fans) be optimistic that were finding ways to win even against sub .500 opponents, or nervous about the upcoming schedule with teams like the 49ers and Houston on the slate?

Jeff Dickerson

  (1:41 PM)

I look at it like the Bears played poorly but still found a way to win. That's a good thing. Hey, they could lose to Houston and San Fran, but wins over Carolina and Jacksonville count just as much in the standings. The Bears aren't going to to go 15-1. I'm sure the'll lose a few, but still be a dangerous team in the postseason.

Aamer (Chicago)

If Cutler is struggling then why not do a playaction pass so he can throw on the run since hes good at that.

Jeff Dickerson

  (1:42 PM)

You need to run the ball first for a play action pass to work. The pass to run ratio yesterday was 28:19.

Matt (Lincoln Park)

I feel like last year there were a lot of situations where Cutler would hold the ball for too long, take a sack, and the blame would ultimately be put on the receivers not being able to get separation quickly enough. Was that an issue in the first half yesterday?

Jeff Dickerson

  (1:44 PM)

Matt, I believe you are correct. Cutler did hold onto the ball too long at times yesterday which contributed to him being sacked several times. Even if the WRs can't get open, it's the job of the quarterback to throw the ball away.

Elliott (Chicago)

I don't understand your thinking that Cutler couldn't win games when the game was on the line. Do you remember that 2009 overtime game against the Vikings with Favre, or how about when he won a shootout against a great jets defense in 2010, or the Eagles in 2010 and 2011, The Steelers in 2009, And this is with a Bad Offensive Line and Johhny Knox and Devin Hester as his two starting wideouts

Jeff Dickerson

  (1:48 PM)

Elliott, Cutler does a lot of things well, but rallying the troops has not been one of them. That's why I was so happy to see him go 6-of-7 on the game's final drive to set up Robbie Gould's GW FG. That's progress and should be celebrated. There will be more times this year when the Bears need the quarterback to deliver late in the game. If he can play like he did in the final minutes vs. Carolina, then the Bears are going to be in excellent shape.

Sean (Lake Forest)

Nate Collins? Where has he been all year and why did they activate him now?

Jeff Dickerson

  (1:49 PM)

Nate Collins had an excellent week of practice so the decision was made to play him over Amobi Okoye. I thought Collins did a good job. 3 tackles in 35 snaps.

Gary (Lindenhurst)

Did the Bears break out a 3-4 scheme with McClellin falling back into coverage or was it a confusion play trying to force a mistake?

Jeff Dickerson

  (1:52 PM)

Good catch. McClellin did line up in a two-point stance a couple of times only to drop back into coverage. At least one time, McClellin lined up inside over the guard at DT in a two-point stance and fell back. His first class speed allows the Bears to do several different things with McClellin.

krista hinton (chicago)

why aren't we utilizing Matt Forte more? Especially when the game looks as ugly as it did yesterday. When Matt did get the ball he made something happen. He is less than 100% out there?

Jeff Dickerson

  (1:54 PM)

Great question. Not sure why. Forte needs more than the 20 touches he got yesterday. But the Bears offense was only on the field for 23:22, so I'm sure that's one reason why Forte's workload was so light.

Jeremy B. (Denver, CO)

Who do you think won the Steve Smith vs Tim Jennings match-up? It seemed pretty close. Both are great players.

Jeff Dickerson

  (1:55 PM)

Steve Smith is a legend. He didn't even have a great game and he still finished with 7 catches for 118 yards. Impressive. But Jennings did a nice job keeping Smith in check. Only one guy scored in the game and it was Jennings.

Zack (Harvey, IL)

Jeff, I am no GM, but how perfect would it be if the Bears trade up to draft Manti Te?o out of ND? Let him learn from Urlacher for a year. Then all of a sudden we are young and GOOD on D and O for at least 5 more years. What do you think?(As a Cubs fan also, of course i?m already thinking about next year too)

Jeff Dickerson

  (1:57 PM)

He's a great player. But the Bears are probably going to be picking in the mid-20's or lower. Can they move up that high? What would that take?

eddie (new jersey)

what happened with jay cutler during haft time sunday 10282012

Jeff Dickerson

  (1:58 PM)

He got caught on camera complaining about the fans booing at halftime. I don't tell people how to feel. But it was only 13-7 and the Bears were 5-1 at that point. Can't say I blame him.

Ian R. (East Chicago, IN)

Hello Jeff lifelong Bears fan here yet not at all a Devin Hester at wide receiver fan. Can you please tell me why we are not seeing Eric Weems or anyone else but Hester out there? Thank You

Jeff Dickerson

  (2:00 PM)

Ian, Earl Bennett is the WR that needs to be out there. Maybe Bennett isn't totally recovered from his hand injury, but with Jeffery out, Bennett is the hands down choice to be the No. 2. Earl played his college ball and Vandy so hopefully he has a big game Sunday in Nashville. He's due.

Matt (Sacramento)

Jeff, good work bro. So the Bears looked horrible during the first half of the game. I know players tend to say different but did they play down to the Panthers? To much focus on last weeks Lions game and the mentality that we were going to beat the Panters easily?

Jeff Dickerson

  (2:01 PM)

Maybe, or the short week got to them. It was not an inspired effort, you're right about that Matt.

Michelle (Ok)

So I am horribly confused. Supposedly to win games you have to have less turnovers, more yards, more big plays, better time of possesion and luck on your side. We don't really have any of that yet we won?

Jeff Dickerson

  (2:02 PM)

Sometimes you just need a little luck, Michelle.

Jeff Dickerson

  (2:03 PM)

Thank you everybody. Have a great rest of your Monday. Talk to you next time.