Jay Cutler

JAY CUTLER isn't sure he'll throw another pass for the Chicago Bears this year. Speaking to reporters for the first time yesterday since he broke the thumb on his right (throwing) hand against San Diego 2 weeks ago, Cutler said he might be finished for the season. "I've got to be smart about it," he said. "Obviously, I'd want to play next week if they'd allow me. I don't think that's going to be in the cards. It could be I'm done for the season. I just have to be smart about it and realize that there is a long-term picture here.

You've got to love Rex Ryan. The Jets coach is one of those guys who repeatedly shoots his mouth off, abjectly apologizes, and promises to reform. Until the next time. On Wednesday Ryan called Chargers counterpart Norv Turner to clarify comments he made in a conference call with the San Diego media. Ryan was asked if he had reflected on what would have happened if he'd been hired in San Diego for his first NFL head coaching job - the position that went to Turner when both interviewed for it after the 2006 season.

Michael Vick, QB, Eagles, chest Jay Cutler, QB, Bears, concussion Derrick Morgan, DE, Titans, left knee Jordan Shipley, WR, Bengals, concussion Pierson Prioleau, S, Saints, chest Chris Reis, S, Saints, right shoulder Kevin Dockery, CB, Rams, right hamstring Dexter Davis, LB, Seahawks, hamstring Roy Williams, S, Bengals, right knee Jonathan Joseph, CB, Bengals, right forearm ...

CHICAGO - Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers celebrated another win at Soldier Field. Rodgers threw for 297 yards, including three touchdown passes to Jermichael Finley, and the Packers (3-0) shut down Jay Cutler and the Chicago Bears on the way to a 27-17 victory Sunday. Rodgers led the charge, completing 28 of 38 passes. He threw his first interception of the season, when Brian Urlacher picked him off with the Packers leading, 27-17, in the fourth quarter. The Bears (1-2)

IT'S UNANIMOUS: This year's "Bonnie Lindros Meddlesome Mom Award" goes to Andrea McDonald. McDonald's son Alex Collins, a five-star running back from South Plantation High near Fort Lauderdale, Fla., was in the school's auditorium Wednesday, preparing to sign a letter of intent to play for Arkansas. But he never did, because mom grabbed the papers and sprinted from the building. Apparently, she wants him to play at a school closer to home. When Arkansas coach Bret Bielema appeared on ESPNU on Wednesday to talk about his recruits, he couldn't mention Collins because he had not officially signed yet. On Wednesday, Collins older brother, Johnny, told the Miami Herald that the family wants Alex to consider the University of Miami.

Each week, Daily News football writer Paul Domowitch will tell you the things he will be keeping his eyes on during that week's game: 1. Defending the tight end: The Eagles will face yet another dangerous pass-catching tight end in the Bears' Greg Olsen. In the last six games, opposing tight ends have 43 catches for 532 yards and five touchdowns vs. the Eagles. Olsen, who has 34 catches, including six TDs, is one of Jay Cutler's favorite targets. Only WR Devin Hester has had more passes thrown in his direction (73)

RUSHING OFFENSE LeSean McCoy shook off a near-fatal fumble and had a game-winning, 10-yard touchdown. He had a season-high 99 yards on 20 carries. Grade: B-plus PASSING OFFENSE Donovan McNabb threw two TD passes, including a 48-yard bomb to DeSean Jackson. Completed 60-plus percent of his attempts for the third time in the last four games. Grade: B-plus RUN DEFENSE Gave up a 72-yard run to Kahlil Bell in the second quarter that set up a Bears field goal, but allowed just 54 yards on the other 19 rushing attempts.

  Line: Packers by 3 The skinny: The Bears (2-0) are coming off an impressive win at Dallas and are off to their best start since the 2006 Super Bowl team won its first seven, in large part because quarterback Jay Cutler is delivering the way the Bears anticipated when they got him from Denver last year. "It's nice to watch him have the success he has had the first two games," Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers "You've got to point to, definitely, some growth in him and understanding that system coach [Mike]

The Eagles are in first place in the NFC East. Well, they're tied with the Giants and Redskins, but at least they're ahead of the Cowboys. So things went pretty darn well for the Eagles on Sunday as the Redskins, Cowboys and Giants all lost. Poor Donovan McNabb. Despite throwing for 426 yards, his Redskins fell to 1-1 when Graham Gano missed a field goal in overtime from 34 yards out, and the Texans went on to win. And how about those Cowboys and Tony Romo? He threw two interceptions and was outplayed by Jay Cutler in Dallas' terrible loss to the Bears.

I'VE SEEN the Eagles lose games to the Bears they should have won each of the past two seasons, and here I am, taking the Eagles again. Even though they are 0-7 on Sunday nights since these little NBC deadline-busters first appeared. I think I might fit Joe Banner's definition of insanity, voiced after last season's NFC Championship Game loss. But I'm sorry - Jay Cutler? Behind that offensive line? I'm a little worried about the extra days Lovie Smith has had to prepare, Cutler's five-interception meltdown having occurred a week ago last night, but not that worried.

IT'S UNANIMOUS: This year's "Bonnie Lindros Meddlesome Mom Award" goes to Andrea McDonald. McDonald's son Alex Collins, a five-star running back from South Plantation High near Fort Lauderdale, Fla., was in the school's auditorium Wednesday, preparing to sign a letter of intent to play for Arkansas. But he never did, because mom grabbed the papers and sprinted from the building. Apparently, she wants him to play at a school closer to home. When Arkansas coach Bret Bielema appeared on ESPNU on Wednesday to talk about his recruits, he couldn't mention Collins because he had not officially signed yet. On Wednesday, Collins older brother, Johnny, told the Miami Herald that the family wants Alex to consider the University of Miami.

Panthers (-2 1/2) over EAGLES OK. Double V is an idiot. After cashing four straight tickets betting against the Birds, we gave 'em a shot last week. Thought that the Eagles would rally around Nick Foles is his first NFL start. Yeah, some rally . . . Six whole points! Foles threw interceptions on the first two possessions and finished 21 of 46 for 204 yards. Add in four sacks courtesy of a smelly offensive line (33 on the season), and you see why 31-6 was the tally in the Monday paper.

Jay Cutler was back home, nursing his concussion and watching as the Chicago Bears got pounded by the San Francisco 49ers, 32-7, on Monday night. Whether he'll play this weekend remains to be seen. He told ESPN Radio he was feeling "as normal as can be" and would play again this season. He said he "can't say that for sure" when asked if he'll be ready to play against Minnesota. Having their starting quarterback certainly would help the Bears, who are suddenly reeling after back-to-back losses to two of the league's top teams in Houston and San Francisco.

New York Jets owner Woody Johnson is disappointed by his team's performance, saying he "didn't sign up for a 3-6 season," and insists he didn't bring in Tim Tebow just to sell tickets. Johnson would not comment Thursday on the immediate futures of coach Rex Ryan or general manager Mike Tannenbaum, saying it's his policy not to address those things during the season. But the owner made it clear he expects more from his team, which is on a three-game losing streak.   Sport will get safer Professional football can evolve into a safer game without sacrificing the physical play - or, some would say, violence - that has made it so popular, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a speech on player safety at the Harvard School of Public Health.

The Chicago Bears say quarterback Jay Cutler will miss Monday's game at San Francisco because of a concussion. Jason Campbell is expected to start against the 49ers in his place. Cutler's status was in question after he sat out the second half of Sunday's loss to Houston. The Bears believe he was injured on a helmet-to-helmet hit by the Texans' Tim Dobbins, who was fined $30,000 by the league, late in the second quarter.   Bills end skid It took 11 weeks for Mario Williams and the Buffalo Bills' oft-maligned defense to finally flex its muscle and show it's capable of playing up to its high-priced potential.

This may be hard to believe, but the best thing that could happen to Michael Vick and the Eagles offense Sunday just might be for the Falcons to blitz the hell out of them. Vick has had his problems this season, particularly with turnovers. He already has eight interceptions and five lost fumbles in six games. He's ranked a dismal 27th in the NFL in passing, 25th in completion percentage and 24th in touchdown percentage. The Eagles are 22nd in the league in sacks allowed per pass play, and Vick has been regularly accused of contributing to his offensive line's protection problems by hanging on to the ball too long.

On his way out as Browns president, Mike Holmgren would not rule out a return to coaching in the NFL. Holmgren, who is stepping down after three years in Cleveland, would not commit Tuesday to staying for the remainder of this season to work with new owner Jimmy Haslam. Holmgren said he would like to help Haslam and incoming CEO Joe Banner in their transition, but doesn't know if that will be possible. "I want to feel like I'm contributing," Holmgren said. "If I could help one player or one coach be a little better and I feel like I'm contributing, that could happen.

CHICAGO - Jay Cutler shook off an apparent rib injury, Brian Urlacher made a key fumble recovery and the Chicago Bears won their fourth straight, beating the Detroit Lions, 13-7, on Monday night. It was certainly not an easy night for the NFC North leaders, particularly their quarterback, but they came away with the win after a week off and possibly buried Detroit (2-4) in the process despite getting a major scare along the way. That happened in the second quarter when Cutler was sacked by Ndamukong Suh and ultimately wound up going to the locker room to have his ribs examined.

CHICAGO - Jay Cutler threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Marshall and Robbie Gould kicked field goals of 39 and 21 yards as the Bears defeated the Detroit Lions, 13-7, on Monday night. The 5-1 Bears solidified their spot atop the NFC North, while the last-place Lions (2-4) lost for the fourth time in five games. Cutler completed 16 passes in 31 attempts for 150 yards. He also sent a scare through the Bears when, midway through the second quarter, he was slammed to the ground on a sack by Ndamukong Suh. Cutler was on the ground for a few minutes and was attended to by a team trainer before jogging off the field.

THE DALLAS COWBOYS certainly picked a bad time for an awful game, one that will stick with them for an extended period. This is going to be a long, brutal stretch in a season that is already having an all-too-familiar feeling. And that's not good. Dallas (2-2) goes into its bye week after Tony Romo's five interceptions in a 34-18 loss to Chicago. Then comes a challenging stretch with four of five games on the road, including three current division leaders - among them, the Eagles on Nov. 11. "When you have a game like [Monday]