Dec 15, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) makes a touchdown catch against Cleveland Browns free safety Tashaun Gipson (39) during the fourth quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports
Cutler turned things around and settled down and drove the Bears down for a game-tying score before the half and the Bears went to the locker room tied at 10 apiece. After a Zac Bowman pick-6, the Browns had back to back touchdowns to go up 24-17 and there was a sense the season was slipping away heading into the fourth quarter.
Cutler tossed up a prayer to Alshon Jeffery, but Jeffery made a miraculous catch to tie the score.
"“I still haven’t seen it. I was talking to the ref whenever they were replaying it. Just asking him about the roughing the passer call and my arm got hit, so I didn’t think it was going to get there. I was on the ground, I was like ‘there’s number three’ because I just thought it was going to be floating 20 yards down the field. Somehow it got all the way down there and Alshon does what Alshon does best, is make plays in the air.”"
The Bears went on to score 21 unanswered fourth quarter points to pull away from the Browns and move into first place in the division until the Lions play tonight.
It was an emotional win for Cutler and the Bears. Jay talked about the nerves and his return:
"“Yeah, I think I’d be lying if I didn’t say there was. With everything on the outside, and as well as Josh (McCown) has played. This was the plan all along and no one really flinched in our building. Everyone kind of stuck to it, Josh was super supportive, Tress (Coach Trestman) did a great job and the guys out there on the field. They’re a great group of guys; they rallied behind me when we started off a little bit slow. It was fun getting back out there with them and we’re looking forward to moving on from this week.”"