Olsen's career day wasted in lopsided loss to Cardinals

CHICAGO – On Sunday, Greg Olsen became the first Bears tight end to catch three touchdown passes in a game in 34 years. But the third-year pro wasn’t in the mood to celebrate following a 41-21 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

“Nothing we did was good enough to win the game, so none of our performances were too special or else we would have won,” Olsen said. “At the end of the day, this is a results business, and we didn’t get it done today. No matter what you do personally, the object is to win, and we didn’t do it.”

Olsen’s 33-yard TD reception from Jay Cutler capped the Bears’ first possession and tied the score 7-7 with 9:13 left in the first quarter. Olsen later snared scoring passes of 3 and 20 yards from Cutler in a 2:46 span early in the fourth quarter to draw the Bears to within 34-21.

After the game, Olsen said that it was unfair to characterize the slumping Bears as a team that’s headed in the wrong direction.

“We have a lot of guys with a lot of pride and take a lot of pride in what we do and what we stand for here, and I think that was evident in the second half the way we fought back and clawed our way back with eight minutes left,” Olsen said. 

“We gave ourselves a chance. I think it shows what kind of guys we have here and the pride we take in playing for the Bears, and we know we have to play better.”

Olsen became the first Bears tight end with three TD catches in a game since Greg Latta on Dec. 21, 1975 at New Orleans and the first Bears player since receiver Marty Booker on Nov. 18, 2001 at Tampa Bay.

Olsen caught five passes for a season-high 71 yards in the game.

“That’s been something we’ve been trying all year, and we’ve been a little frustrated that it hasn’t happened more,” offensive coordinator Ron Turner said of Olsen’s involvement. “That was good to see, and hopefully that’s something we can build on.”



(chicagobears.com)