Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler is reportedly out for the remainder of the season with a broken right thumb suffered yesterday during the team’s 31-20 victory over San Diego.

At 7-3, the Bears appear to be in good standing to reach the NFC playoffs as a wild card. However, the Cutler injury means Caleb Hanie is elevated to a starting role. The last time NFL fans got a significant look at Hanie, it was during last season’s NFC title game against the Packers.

During that game, Hanie relieved an injured Cutler in Green Bay’s 21-14 triumph over Chicago. Hanie completed 13 of 20 passes for 153 yards and a touchdown along with two interceptions.

His two costly interceptions resulted in a BJ Raji touchdown and a game-sealing turnover by Sam Shields. Hanie will need to be far sharper to keep Chicago’s playoff chances alive.

An examination of Chicago’s upcoming schedule shows the path to the playoffs is quite treacherous:

@ Oakland

Vs. Kansas City

@ Denver

Vs. Seattle

@ Green Bay

@ Minnesota

The Kansas City and Seattle games are obviously winnable games but those four road outings are tough. Oakland is playing well; Tim Tebow hasn’t run out of pixie dust in Denver yet; Green Bay may need that game to seal up home-field advantage; and Minnesota will not be eager to roll over to help Chicago.

I think Chicago will get to 10 wins but it will not be easy. Also, it appears Chicago will have plenty of competition to win a wild card spot. Following yesterday’s games, other wild card contenders Atlanta, Detroit, and New York (at the moment, Dallas holds the common opponent tiebreaker over the Giants for the NFC East lead) joined Chicago with at least six wins.

That leaves four teams for two spots. Thus, Chicago’s margin for error is very limited.