No, for a change, it's not quarterback Jay Cutler, but rather his favorite wide receiver. Brandon Marshall. Marshall went into Week 6 as the center of attention, as much for complaining about not getting targeted enough by Cutler as for his decision to wear lime-green shoes.

Thanks to Cutler making it a point to look to his long-time go-to guy early and often, Marshall should have been ecstatic to have his best game of the season when the Bears needed it most. His 9 catches for 87 for Chicago's only two offensive TDs helped keep the game just out of reach for New York.

Marshall was still on pace for 99 receptions through his first five games, but he was frustrated at the fact he was coming off two quiet games in the Bears' losses. Yes, it's true that he's also been the center of attention for defenses, and the Giants joined in trying to double-team him. While that's happened, other options have emerged (Alshon Jeffery, Martellus Bennett) where Cutler doesn't need to force-feed Marshall.

But although it's not the Bears' best interest for Cutler to bring back the Throw Only To Marshall plan, their top wideout did have a point. As good as Jeffery and Bennett have been as Cutler has spread the ball around quickly in coach Marc Trestman's rhythmic passing offense, the Bears shouldn't accept the fact any opponent can take the good size and great hands of Marshall out of any game.

They also need to keep being aware of Marshall's mind-set. Yes, he was thrilled to see Jeffery, a second-year player from South Carolina break out with a Marshall-like 10-catch, 218-yard in last Sunday's lost the New Orleans. But just as the Bears have found something in Trestman catering to Cutler, they have to remember to let Cutler massage Marshall.

Nobody on the Bears can do that as well as Cutler, given their mostly successful on-field rapport goes back to their early days together in Denver. Seeing the ups and downs in their respective careers, it's not the most conventional top quarterback-receiver combination. When it's functioning without the dysfunction, however, it's hard for anyone to stop.

The Bears struggled through last season when Cutler went too much to Marshall, but it's been a delicate balance not to stray too far the other way under Trestman. They just struck it on Thursday, and it's the happiest medium for their playoff chances.

 PHOTOS: Week 6 action