CHICAGO -
It was neither pretty nor aesthetic in terms of style points, but the Bears managed to emerge with a much-needed 30-6 victory over the woeful Cleveland Browns Sunday at Soldier Field.
On a day honoring Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton, the Bears improved to 4-3 to remain within striking distance of NFC North rivals Minnesota and Green Bay. Meanwhile, the Browns sank to 1-7.
Both teams struggled offensively in the first quarter, but the Bears emerged with a 6-0 lead on field goals of 37 and 29 yards by Robbie Gould. A 35-yard interception return by Danieal Manning with 2:02 left in the first quarter set the Bears up at the Cleveland 13. But Jay Cutler could not get the Bears in the end zone with the advantageous field position.
Browns quarterback Derek Anderson was charged with a fumble as he attempted to hand off to Jamal Lewis early in the second quarter and it was recovered by Adewale Ogunleye at the Cleveland 46.
Once again the Bears could only cash in with a Gould field goal, this time from 32 yards, for a 9-0 lead. A third down sack by linebacker Kamerion Wimbley was the key play in preventing a Bears touchdown.
Wimbley later was charged with a late hit on Cutler with 6:20 left in the second period. Wimbley led with his helmet under the chin of Cutler on a third-down pass. The hit caused Cutler to draw blood after biting his tongue.
Matt Forte finally scored a touchdown from a yard out for the Bears with 1:56 left until halftime. Gould converted for a 16-0 lead.
The Browns got on the board with a touchdown early in the third period following a shanked 12-yard punt by Brad Maynard. Anderson scored from a yard out at the end of a 5-play, 30-yard drive. The extra point attempt was blocked by Israel Idonije and the Bears led 16-6.
Forte ran for a 10-yard TD, his second of the game, with 1:42 left in the third quarter. Gould converted and the Bears took a 23-6 lead. The score was set up by a 31-yard pass from Cutler to Johnny Knox.
Cutler threw his 11th interception of the season with 12:03 left in the game. Brodney Poole was credited with the pick after the Bears challenged the ruling on the field.
The Browns gave the ball right back, however, when Anderson passed to Mohamed Massaquoi. He was hit by Nick Roach and Charles Tillman recovered.
The Bears took to the Cleveland 2 after a 34-yard pass to Devin Hester set the offense up at the Cleveland 2. But the Bears could not score from there on four downs. Following an incomplete pass in the end zone on fourth down, Cutler sauntered over toward the Browns sideline and exchanged words with Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.
The Bears' Tillman then intercepted an Anderson pass and returned it 21 yards for a touchdown to give the Bears a 30-6 lead.
On a day honoring Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton, the Bears improved to 4-3 to remain within striking distance of NFC North rivals Minnesota and Green Bay. Meanwhile, the Browns sank to 1-7.
Both teams struggled offensively in the first quarter, but the Bears emerged with a 6-0 lead on field goals of 37 and 29 yards by Robbie Gould. A 35-yard interception return by Danieal Manning with 2:02 left in the first quarter set the Bears up at the Cleveland 13. But Jay Cutler could not get the Bears in the end zone with the advantageous field position.
Browns quarterback Derek Anderson was charged with a fumble as he attempted to hand off to Jamal Lewis early in the second quarter and it was recovered by Adewale Ogunleye at the Cleveland 46.
Once again the Bears could only cash in with a Gould field goal, this time from 32 yards, for a 9-0 lead. A third down sack by linebacker Kamerion Wimbley was the key play in preventing a Bears touchdown.
Wimbley later was charged with a late hit on Cutler with 6:20 left in the second period. Wimbley led with his helmet under the chin of Cutler on a third-down pass. The hit caused Cutler to draw blood after biting his tongue.
Matt Forte finally scored a touchdown from a yard out for the Bears with 1:56 left until halftime. Gould converted for a 16-0 lead.
The Browns got on the board with a touchdown early in the third period following a shanked 12-yard punt by Brad Maynard. Anderson scored from a yard out at the end of a 5-play, 30-yard drive. The extra point attempt was blocked by Israel Idonije and the Bears led 16-6.
Forte ran for a 10-yard TD, his second of the game, with 1:42 left in the third quarter. Gould converted and the Bears took a 23-6 lead. The score was set up by a 31-yard pass from Cutler to Johnny Knox.
Cutler threw his 11th interception of the season with 12:03 left in the game. Brodney Poole was credited with the pick after the Bears challenged the ruling on the field.
The Browns gave the ball right back, however, when Anderson passed to Mohamed Massaquoi. He was hit by Nick Roach and Charles Tillman recovered.
The Bears took to the Cleveland 2 after a 34-yard pass to Devin Hester set the offense up at the Cleveland 2. But the Bears could not score from there on four downs. Following an incomplete pass in the end zone on fourth down, Cutler sauntered over toward the Browns sideline and exchanged words with Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.
The Bears' Tillman then intercepted an Anderson pass and returned it 21 yards for a touchdown to give the Bears a 30-6 lead.
