Morning Box Score: Cutler, Bears Triumphant In Denver

(AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)

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Having begged his way out of town in April, Jay Cutler returned to Denver on Sunday night as a member of the Chicago Bears, to face off against the Bears' former QB Kyle Orton and his Broncos. Fans showered Cutler with boos when he took the field, but with a 27-17 victory, he had the last word before departing the Mile High City this time. At home on the turf of Invesco Field, the Bears' QB threw for 144 yards while completing 15 of 21 passes, with a touchdown pass and no interceptions--good for a 106.1 passer rating. He closed out his half of work by leading the Bears on a 98-yard drive that gave the team a 17-3 lead at the intermission. "I knew it was going to be a hostile environment, which was good," said Cutler. "It's good preparation for us going into Green Bay the first (regular-season) game."

Setting up the Bears first TD, the Devin Hester of old reemerged to return a punt 54-yards before being brought down inside Denver's five yard line. Can he be the scoring threat on returns he was before last season, and remain the number one wideout? That would be nice. Meanwhile, Cutler's former Vandy teammate Earl Bennett seems to have locked up the number two receiver spot, while a number of veterans remain locked in a battle for third on the depth chart. Sunday's game did little to sort that situation out.

On the other side of the ball, the first team defense looked energized and solid, although the secondary clearly remains the weak link. There are some injuries limiting depth at cornerback. Hopefully, Peanut Tillman returns shortly and that the rest can learn to tackle before week one.

The Bears wrap up the exhibition season on Thursday, when they host the Cleveland Browns at Soldier Field. Expect to see a lot of action by the players fighting for roster spots -- final cuts come Friday.