Morning Box Score: Bears Put Down Vick, Eagles
By Benjy Lipsman in News on Nov 29, 2010 4:00PM
It's taken better than two-thirds of the season, but we're finally buying into this Bears team. In a battle of 7-3 NFC division leaders, the Bears dominated for most of the afternoon and ended up beating the hot Philadelphia Eagles 31-26 at Soldier Field.
The Eagles scored first on a David Akers field goal before the Bears scored 14 unanswered to hold an 14-3 advantage by the end of the first quarter. Matt Forte broke free for 61 yards to get the Bears into the red zone and set up the first touchdown pass, while Hester's run after a short catch netted 39 yards to set up their second score, a 20-yard pass to Johnny Knox. The Eagles cut the Bears lead to one and were driving toward the Bears end zone in order to reclaim the lead at intermission, but Tommy Harris tipped a Michael Vick pass that was picked off by Chris Harris and allowed the Bears to tack on another TD before halftime, take a 21-13 lead and shifted the momentum of the game for good.
Jay Cutler found Greg Olsen in the back of the end zone to cap a quick drive on the opening second half possession, the Bears then chewed up 10 minutes of game clock before kicking a field goal that gave them a commanding 31-13 lead. The Eagles tacked on a couple of field goals and a late TD, but they were no real threat to the Bears. That's because the Bears team played incredibly well in all aspects of the game.
Cutler had a career day, completing 14 of 21 passes for 247 yards, four TDs and no interceptions while posting a career-best 146.2 passer rating. Earl Bennett had his first two TD day. Matt Forte eclipsed the century mark for the first time in 2010, gaining 117 yards rushing. He was also the first running back to run for more than 100 against the Eagles this year. Meanwhile, the defense contained the league's highest scoring offense and most explosive player. The front four gave Vick problems all day, with each starter recording a sack.
The Bears made have proved they are legit, but they can't rest on their laurels. Next week, the Bears travel to Detroit but then they've got a doozy of schedule the rest of the way. The Patriots and Jets, each currently 9-2, remain on the schedule, as do the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers for the regular season finale. But with an 8-3 record and a one game lead over the Pack, the division is there for the taking.