Chicago, IL

Bears defense outstanding once again in their big divisional victory over the Detroit Lions

Brandon Marshall caught a seven-yard touchdown pass in the first period and Robbie Gould added two field goals as the Chicago Bears notched their fourth straight victory with a 13-7 win over the Detroit Lions Monday at Soldier Field.

The victory put the Bears (5-1) ahead by half-game over the Minnesota Vikings (5-2) atop the NFC North and 1 ½ games over the Green Bay Packers (4-3).

Marshall finished with 81 receiving yards on six catches and his first-quarter touchdown reception gave the Bears an early 7-0 lead they protected with help from the defense, which forced the Lions (2-4) to three red zone turnovers.

Quarterback Jay Cutler survived a bruised rib in the first half, finishing the game 16 for 31 with 150 yards and a touchdown. Running back Matt Forte added 96 yards on 22 carries and Gould buried two field goals from 21 and 39 yards for the Bears.

Cutler found Marshall for a seven-yard touchdown pass in the Bears' six-play, 59-yard drive before Gould added a 39-yard kick to give Chicago a 10-0 lead while the Lions' seven first-half drives ended in punts and a fumble.

With less than six minutes to play in the second quarter, Lions linebacker Ndamukong Suh chased Cutler out of the pocket and drove him into the turf for a crushing sack. Cutler was brought to the locker room to have his ribs examined but returned in the second half.

"He's a tough guy," Bears coach Lovie Smith said. "Most people thought Jay would get up. Unless it's a broken leg or something like that, he's going to get up. He is a tough guy. ... That was a gutsy effort by him. He was in some pain, but he fought through it."

After Gould added a 21-yard field goal in the third period for a 13-0 advantage, the Lions had a chance to cut the deficit but running back Joique Bell fumbled near the goal line that was recovered linebacker Brian Urlacher.

Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford averted a shutout when he threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Broyles with 30 seconds remaining in the game. He completed 28 of 46 passes for 261 yards and one interception.

Stafford is the only quarterback who has yet to throw a touchdown pass in the first half this season. He is also tied for most first half interceptions with five.

The Bears' defense also limited wide receiver Calvin Johnson to just three catches for 34 yards and the Lions' rushing corps to 99 ground yards on 18 carries.

"Calvin is one of the best players in the league," Smith said. "It's hard for Detroit to win games without him being productive."

 

The Bears defense was outstanding once again in their big divisional victory over the Detroit Lions

Bears dispose of Lions

 

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