Jay Cutler Rallies the Chicago Bears to a 38-31 Win Over Cleveland Browns
You have to wonder what the Browns were doing with their offense. Josh Gordon was held without a catch in the first half and finished with just three catches and a touchdown, but that was in garbage time when the Bears were simply playing prevent defense.
The Bears came into the game with the 32nd ranked rush defense, but the Browns only ran the ball 17 times, including some trickeration Wild Cat down near the goal line that set up one of their two offensive touchdowns. Tight end Jordan Cameron looked like another mismatch but he only finished the game with three catches, a couple of which were against the prevent defense.
Dec 15, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Bears cornerback Zack Bowman (38) intercepts a pass and returns it for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
The Bears managed a pick-6 by Zackary Bowman, one of a pair of interceptions while filling in for Charles Tillman today. Tim Jennings had a nice game while Jeremiah Ratliff continues to round into shape and make an impact along the way. Chris Conte was his usual bad self, dropping a sure interception and later taking a horrible angle on the Josh Gordon touchdown.
With the win, the Bears move into first place in the NFC North with an 8-6 record. The Detroit Lions, who sit at 7-6 and hold the tie-breaker over the Bears, host the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football. The pressure will be on the Lions not to go all Lions all over themselves and blow it. The Ravens will certainly be motivated as well, with their playoff hopes for a Wild Card hanging in the balance too.
Next up, the Bears head to Philadelphia to face the Eagles on Sunday Night Football. The Eagles lost to a shorthanded Vikings team 48-30 in the Metrodome and could be facing a must-win game depending on what happens with the Cowboys the next couple of Sunday. The Cowboys host the Packers today and head to DC to face the RGIII-less Redskins before the Eagles take the field against the Bears next Sunday night.