Flacco throws 4 TD passes; Ravens beat Bears 31-7

[December 21, 2009]  BALTIMORE (AP) -- The Baltimore Ravens are starting to look more like a playoff team, although it was difficult to judge for certain Sunday given the woeful performance of the Chicago Bears.

Joe Flacco threw a career-high four touchdown passes, and the Ravens capitalized on six Chicago turnovers in a 31-7 rout.

Baltimore (8-6) led 14-0 after 13 minutes and 31-7 after three quarters. The victory solidified the Ravens' hold on the sixth and final playoff spot in the AFC and improved their record against teams currently with losing records to 6-0.

Jay Cutler threw three interceptions, upping his NFL-high total to 25, and backup Caleb Hanie was also picked off. In addition, the Bears (5-9) lost two fumbles.

Chicago's only score came on a 49-yard punt return by Earl Bennett.

The Ravens had alternatingly won and lost for seven straight weeks, but now -- after beating Detroit 48-3 last Sunday -- they have their first winning streak since September.

Flacco went 21 for 29 for 234 yards with two touchdown passes to Todd Heap and one apiece to Demetrius Williams and Derrick Mason. Ray Rice ran for 77 yards in the first quarter and finished with 87.

Cutler went 10 for 27 for 94 yards. The Bears have lost six of seven overall and five straight on the road.

Cutler completed a 30-yard pass to Bennett on the game's first play from scrimmage. But the drive ended with an interception by Domonique Foxworth at the Baltimore 46, and the Ravens cashed in with a 14-yard touchdown pass from Flacco to Todd Heap.

And then it happened again: The Bears moved to the Baltimore 14, Jarret Johnson picked off a short pass intended for fullback Jason McKie, and Flacco ended an 81-yard drive with a 7-yard TD pass to Heap.

Down 14-0, Chicago found a different way to end a march in frustrating fashion. After twice running for first downs, Cutler overthrew tight end Greg Olsen on fourth down from the Baltimore 1.

But the Bears held, and Bennett took the punt up the middle before cutting down the right sideline for a touchdown.

Baltimore missed a chance to widen its lead when Billy Cundiff hooked a 30-yard field goal try late in the half.

But the Ravens pulled away with a 17-point third quarter. After Williams caught a 32-yard touchdown pass, rookie Johnny Knox fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Flacco connected with Mason for an 18-yard score.

Two plays later, Chicago's Matt Forte fumbled and Cundiff followed with a 40-yard field goal.

[Associated Press; By DAVID GINSBURG]

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