Injury-hit Cutler plays on in victory

CHICAGO - The Associated Press

EPA photo

Jay Cutler played through a bruising rib injury and Brian Urlacher made a key fumble recovery to help the Chicago Bears beat the Detroit Lions 13-7 on Oct. 22 for their fourth straight win.

It was not an easy night for the National Football Conference leaders but they came away with the win after a week off and possibly buried Detroit (2-4) in the process despite getting a major scare along the way.

That happened in the second quarter when Cutler was sacked by Ndamukong Suh and wound up going to the locker room to have his ribs examined.

Cutler came back to start the second half and was 16 of 31 with 150 yards and a touchdown in the game, but with the defense locking down the Lions, the Bears (5-1) prevailed. It was a huge blow for last-place Detroit, a team many expected to contend for the division championship after making the playoffs for the first time in more than a decade.

The Lions’ biggest chance came in the third quarter, when Joique Bell fumbled at the goal line with the Bears leading 13-0.

Chicago sent Detroit to its fourth loss in five games.

Brandon Marshall caught six passes for 81 yards and scored a touchdown on Chicago’s first possession.