Bears Zap Chargers Unplugging Their Playoff Hopes

The Chicago Bears are known for their special teams and defense. Sunday, the offense stood up and said, "Look at me!"  

For the second time in three weeks, quarterback Jay Cutler finished the game without being sacked. The Bears receivers stepped up in a big way on their way to their fifth win in a row.

This was a game that the Bears kept in front of them all day. In spite of the Chargers moving the ball on them at will in the first half, the Bears stayed within themselves and kept with their game plan on route to a victory.

San Diego opened the scoring with a Nick Novak 28-yard field goal and the Bears answered back with a Robbie Gould field goal to tie it at 3-3. The Bears opened the second quarter scoring with a Marion Barber 1-yard touchdown run.  San Diego answered back when Phillip Rivers found Antonio Gates for an 8-yard pass and catch.  

The Bears found the end zone right before halftime when Cutler hit Kellen Davis on a 4-yard touchdown pass on 3rd and goal with 20 seconds left in the half. The Chargers threatened after a big return on the following kick off and two passes down field to get into field goal range before Nick Novak hit the bottom upright on a 55-yard attempt.  

This game was really the tale of two halves. Outside of the opening drive the Chargers did very little against the Bears. Phillip Rivers threw his second touchdown of the game to Vincent Jackson (seven catches; 165 yards; one TD) to tie the game.

That is when it all fell apart. Cutler found Johnny "On the Spot" Knox (three catches; 97 yards; one TD) for a 42-yard completion that set up a 1-yard TD for Cutler.  

San Diego's next drive ended when Charles Tillman punched the ball out and recovered the fumble leading to Jay Cutler finding Johnny Knox who made a circus catch giving the Bears a 14-point lead they would never look back from. San Diego got a field goal early in the fourth quarter to finish the scoring. 

GAME BALLS

I wanted to try something new this week and here it is—game balls.  

This is for the Bears who deserve the most credit for the best game. So here they are.

Jay Cutler: Cutler played a near perfect game he was 18-for-31 for 286 yards and two touchdowns and one interception. He ran for a score and had 11 yards on five carries. But the interception was not on Cutler because Johnny Knox fell down on his route leading to the interceptiopn.

The offensive line: For the second time in the last three weeks Cutler walked away without being sacked. The running game never really got going but that was ok in a game that Cutler was in control of.

Johnny Knox, Earl Bennett and Roy Williams: The trio combined for 11 receptions and 234 yards with one touchdown. This was the best game by this group all year.  Earl Bennett continued to be the teams best receiver with 5 catches for 62 yards.

Second half Defense: The Bears gave up 10 points in the second half. But they forced three turnovers, two interceptions and the one fumble. Major Wright had an interception for the third game in a row. In the fourth quarter the Bears gave up zero yards—repeat ZERO yards—WOW.  Full disclosure the offense helped with controlling the ball but impressive non-the-less.

This was a good win for a Bears team that is coming together at the right time. But victory came at a price as Cutler broke his thumb and may be done for the rest of the regular season.

Up next is the Oakland Raiders, who will be a tougher challenge and will test this team's resolve. For now, the 7 -3 Bears kept pace in the NFC North with the Packers and Lions, who both won today.  

Victory Monday again!  Happy Thanksgiving and BEAR DOWN!!  Tell me what you think.