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Morning Box Score: Return of the Rex Edition

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Nov 3, 2008 3:30PM

2008_11_bears_week9.jpgSunday was one of those days that tests a Bears fan's fortitude. With the Monsters of the Midway on the short end of a 23-13 halftime score to the Lowly Detroit Lions, and our starting QB having just been carted off the field, things looked bleak. Yet, somehow, the Bears found a way to come from behind to win 27-23 and claimed sole possession of first place in the NFC North, a win that's tempered by the loss of Kyle Orton to injury.

The game started out well for the Bears, who intercepted the ball during Detroit's opening drive. After a touchdown return was overruled by instant replay, the Bears drove 30 yards before settling for a field goal. On their next possession, the Bears found the end zone to jump out to a 10-0 lead.

The Lions scored early in the second quarter, then recovered a Devin Hester fumble on the ensuing kickoff that eventually resulted in another TD. After a 3-and-out by the Bears, Detroit found the end zone yet again and we began having flashbacks to last year's first meeting between these two clubs. Then the quarter got even worse.

In the waning seconds of the first half, Kyle Orton scrambled trying for a first down. Hit as he went out of bounds, he got up hobbling before dropping to the field, then was hauled off on a golf cart. And thus began Rex Redux. Playing the second half, former Bears starting QB Rex Grossman completed 9 of 19 for just 58 yards, one TD and one INT. Fortunately for Sexy Rexy, Matt Forte had his best day as a pro and ran for 126 yards to pace the offense. The running game helped the Bears drive for two second half touchdowns and take the lead for good late in the fourth quarter. The defense, which gave up those 23 second quarter points, used a variety of blitzes in the third and fourth to shut out the Lions after the half. The defense, nearly back to full strength with the return of Nathan Vasher and Charles Tillman to the lineup, lost Mike Brown to injury. How long's he out? Given his track record, probably the rest of the season.

On account of Green Bay's OT loss to the Tennessee Titans, the Bears sit atop the NFC North -- for now. Word Sunday night was that Orton suffered a high ankle sprain and will likely miss four weeks. This means, whether we like it or not, Rex Grossman is the Bears QB for the next month -- starting next week when the Bears host the undefeated Titans. Talk about some bad timing. The Bears had looked poised to make the playoffs prior to Orton's unfortunate injury. Can this team hold itself together in his absence?

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh