Morning Box Score: Inferior Jags No Match For Bears

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Dec 8, 2008 4:25PM

If the Bears hope to win the NFC North, they likely have to win out. Fortunately, the have a number of dogs on their schedule down the stretch. On Sunday, the Bears took care of business and beat the fast fading Jacksonville Jaguars 23-10 in a frigid Soldier Field. Early in the game, the defense created an opportunity for the offense to strike quickly. Danieal Manning intercepted a pass on the third play of the game and nearly returned it for a TD. Down at the 5 yard line, the Bears scored a TD two plays later to take an early lead. A second quarter 22-yard touchdown pass to Greg Olsen and two Robbie Gould field goals helped the Bears take a 20-3 lead into the locker room at the half. The team then coasted through the second half, managing a lone field goal. But it was more than enough against a Jaguars team that has lost six of its last seven games.

While the offense didn't perform particularly well, Kyle Orton did bounce back from his worst game of the year to complete 20 of 34 for 219 with two TD passes. Matt Forte's 106 total yards (69 rushing, 37 receiving) did allow him to set a new Bears team record for most yards from scrimmage as a rookie, surpassing the great Gayle Sayers.

While the Bears did their part to remain in the playoff hunt, they didn't get any help from Detroit. The Lions looked poised to upset the first-place Vikings much of the afternoon before a late rally kept Detroit winless and Minnesota atop the division. The Bears now have only a couple days to prepare before they welcome the New Orleans Saints to town on Thursday night [Ed's Note: Who Dat? Geaux Saints! - MG]. How will the short week affect the Bears and their playoff quest?

AP Photo/David Banks