By Dean Michaels

Sebastian Janikowski nailed a franchise-record six field goals and Michael Bush added a three-yard touchdown run as the Oakland Raiders held on for a 25-20 win over the Chicago Bears Sunday.

Janikowski hit field goals from 40, 47, 42, 19, 37 and 44 as Oakland built an 18-7 lead going into the fourth quarter. Bears kicker Robbie Gould added booming kicks of 50 and 53 yards himself to bring the Bears within 18-13, but Bush's run capped a 74-yard drive that brought the Raiders back up 25-13 with 3:51 left.

Caleb Hanie, who threw three picks making his first career start in place of an injured Jay Cutler, finally found the end zone with 2:17 left, but it proved to be too little, too late for the Bears. Hanie finished 18-for-35 for 254 yards and two scores, but three picks brought his passer rating down to a dismal 58.5.

Hanie's connection with Johhny Knox, who finished with a game-high 145 receiving yards, will help keep the Bears afloat until Cutler's return. Cutler underwent successful surgery on a broken finger and could be back if the Bears make the playoffs.

Carson Palmer finished 21-for-37 for 301 yards, no touchdowns and one interception for a 72.0 rating. Marcel Reese led the Raiders with five catches for 92 yards. Michale Bush had 24 carries for 69 yards and the difference-making touchdown.

The Raiders (7-4) head to Miami for Week 13 with a slim one-game lead ahead of Tim Tebow and the surging Broncos for first in the AFC West.

The Bears (7-4) had their five-game winnning streak snapped, falling into a tie with the Lions for second, four games behind the undefeated, defending Super Bowl Champion Packers in the NFC North.

Chicago, however, sits fourth in the conference in the first Wild Card spot because of tiebreakers over Detroit (best win percentage in common games) and Atlanta (better head-to-head win percentage).

 

NFL 2011 Week 12 - Janikowski Nails Six Field Goals - Raiders Take Down Bears