CHICAGO -- Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler's lone turnover on Sunday proved to be the game's turning point.
With 1:36 left until halftime and the score tied at 7-7, Cutler threw a short pass straight into the arms of Green Bay cornerback Casey Hayward who came down with the interception and returned the ball 24 yards deep into Bears' territory. Green Bay took the lead four plays later when quarterback Aaron Rodgers connected with receiver James Jones for an eight-yard touchdown.
Television cameras recorded Cutler throwing up his arms in disgust on the Bears' sideline immediately after the pick, a possible sign he believed Hester ran the wrong route on the play.
However, Cutler assumed responsibility for the mistake in his postgame press conference.
"You know, it came out of my hands," Cutler said. "I'm responsible. Those things can't happen. That's how you lose ballgames against good teams like that."
Hester chalked up the miscue to a lack of communication.
"We just weren't on the same page," Hester said. "The route I ran was the route I was supposed to run. I don't know, we just weren't on the same page.
"It's tough. Do we hang our heads, no. I mean, we still got a chance having these last two games. Hopefully we find a way in the playoffs."
It was the fifth loss in the last six games for the Bears, who started the season 7-1 and now are in danger of not making the playoffs.
Turnovers have been par for the course for Cutler, who is 1-for-8 lifetime versus the Packers -- including the postseason -- with nine touchdowns to 17 interceptions.
"It wears on me," Cutler said. "It wears on everyone. You don't want to lose to your rival year-in and year-out. Then it's not a rivalry anymore. It's a domination."
Cutler completed 12-of-21 passes for 135 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the Bears' 21-13 defeat. The quarterback was also under tremendous pressure courtesy of a porous offensive line that surrendered four sacks. Cutler got sacked six times when the two teams squared off Week 2 at Lambeau Field in the Packers' 23-10 win.
The Packers outgained the Bears 291-135 in the passing game and 391-190 in net yards.
"It falls on me," Cutler said. "I'll take full responsibility for this offense and for this passing game. I didn't get the job done and we lost the ballgame."