San Diego, Ca – Jay Cutler and the Chicago Bears show off for the national audience on Monday Night Football. The Bears defeated the Chargers 22-19 in an exciting comeback victory. Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers did as much as he could to find that elusive victory.
The hero today was a very emotional Cutler, who hit rookie tight end Zach Miller for 25 yard go ahead touchdown with 3:19 remaining in the game. Cutler threw for 345 yards completing 27/40 passes on the night. He made fellow Vanderbilt Commodores alum from ESPN First Take Skip Bayless proud with this victory. The running game helped slow down the Chargers pass rush with the play action pass because Bears running back Jeremy Langford from Michigan State was pounding away with 18 carries and 72 rushing – 70 yards receiving. It’s like Langford just kept getting stronger as game progressed.
San Diego showed earlier that they are only few plays away from success jumping out to 13-0 lead. As the team went into locker room at halftime holding a 9 point lead you expected a possible victory coming their way. Rivers passed for 280 yards in the game finding 6 different receivers in the process. But it was enough to overcome a late loss of emotion by Steve Johnson who caught a great first down pass to take team to the Chicago 4 yard line. After the catch Johnson was flagged for a delay of game penalty for spiking the ball in the field of play that resulted in 5 yard penalty, moved them back 9 yards. With that break Chicago dug in and made the Chargers settle for field goal which was only 4 point lead with (19-14) with 7:53 left in fourth quarter. A touchdown there would have made an 8 point led who knows maybe even enough to win.
This Chicago Bears team seemed to come alive in the fourth quarter scoring 15 points. For the fans in attendance at Qualcomm felt the Bear fans come alive. It seems far too often that teams come to San Diego and are pleased to see their fan base take over the stadium. Tight end Miller said, “It was pretty cool that the Chargers had to use silent count on few drives.” Which was due to so many loud cheering Bear fans.
The Bears move to 3-5 on the season and have a date in St. Louis next Sunday to face the Rams. The San Diego Chargers are now 2-7 and have a bye week to rest and get ready to host the visiting Kansas City Chiefs in a must win game to compete AFC West.
