NFC North-leading Bears beat lowly Lions 24-20

[December 06, 2010]  DETROIT (AP) -- Toward the end of the first half, the Chicago Bears allowed a touchdown when Detroit was barely even trying to score.

Then they spent the next two quarters making up for it.

Jay Cutler threw a go-ahead touchdown pass to Brandon Manumaleuna midway through the fourth quarter, and Chicago held the Lions to 49 yards after halftime while rallying to a 24-20 victory Sunday in front of a surprisingly friendly crowd at Ford Field.

"We all knew we had to have a sense of urgency on the field," Chicago defensive lineman Julius Peppers said. "None of these games are gimme games. We have to come out and play well each week regardless of who you're playing against."

Detroit led 17-14 at halftime after a startling two-play, 91-yard drive in the final minute of the second quarter. After taking over at the 9, the Lions were content to run the ball up the middle and use up the remaining time, but Jahvid Best cut to the outside and found room up the sideline for a 45-yard gain.

On the next play, Drew Stanton threw to Calvin Johnson, who brushed off two tacklers and went into the end zone. The quick scoring drive was a wakeup call for the Bears.

"We weren't happy about what was happening," coach Lovie Smith said. "It's hard to stomach missed tackles on critical plays. Letting a team go over 90 yards in two plays ... we should have had them stopped."

Chicago faced an immediate challenge in the third quarter, but this time the Bears were up to the task. After Detroit recovered a fumble by Cutler at the Chicago 9, the Lions were held to a field goal for their final points.

Finally, in the fourth quarter, the Bears drove for the winning touchdown after the defense forced a Detroit incompletion on fourth-and-1 from the Chicago 41. With the Bears down 20-17, Cutler completed a key third-down pass to Earl Bennett for 12 yards to the Detroit 22. Then, on the next play, Cutler scrambled for 8 yards and drew a personal-foul penalty when referee Ed Hochuli flagged Ndamukong Suh for unnecessary roughness after he appeared to hit Cutler's shoulder pads from behind.

Cutler threw a 7-yard scoring pass to Manumaleuna on the next play.

"I think the league is looking after quarterbacks," Detroit coach Jim Schwartz said. "We need to go out and make that play after that."

Stefan Logan gave the Lions a lift by returning the kickoff 60 yards to the Chicago 44, but Detroit ended up punting, and the Bears were able to run the last 5:17 off the clock.

Cutler finished 21 of 26 for 234 yards to help the Bears (9-3) remain a game ahead of Green Bay atop the NFC North. There's no question Chicago is pumped for the stretch run. There were plenty of noisy Bears fans in Detroit for the game.

Chicago has won five straight, although it was difficult at times Sunday. The Bears allowed four sacks, including three by Cliff Avril.

Stanton, starting for the Lions because of injuries to Matthew Stafford and Shaun Hill, looked comfortable, going 16 of 24 for 178 yards.

"Obviously the final score wasn't what we wanted, but I thought it was good to get out there and run the offense," Stanton said. "I was really proud of the way we came out, not only as a team, but speaking from my side of the ball, as an offense."

Stanton also ran 3 yards for a touchdown to open the scoring in the first quarter, but Chester Taylor answered with a 1-yard scoring run for the Bears, and Matt Forte's 14-yard touchdown run put Chicago up 14-10 in the second.

NOTES: The Lions have lost 19 straight games within the division. ... Bears LB Nick Roach started for the injured Pisa Tinoisamoa, but hurt his hip in the first half and didn't return. ... Johnson caught his 12th TD pass, becoming the first player in franchise history with at least 12 TD catches in two seasons.

[Associated Press; By NOAH TRISTER]

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