The Chicago Bears squeezed past the Carolina Panthers 23-22 to improve to 6-1 and 4-0 at Soldier Field.

Running back Matt Forte took the lead early in the first quarter on a 13 yard rushing touchdown. Forte had 70 yards on 15 rushes along with his one touchdown. Forte also caught five passes for 24 yards.

In the 2nd quarter, after a Jay Cutler fumble the Carolina Panthers responded; Cam Newton scrambled and dove in the end-zone but was hit and fumbled. Luckily the ball was recovered by Louis Murphy for the touchdown to go ahead 10-7.

The Panthers took advantage of Chicago’s weak offensive line and sacked Jay Cutler six times in the first half. Panthers kicker, Justin Medlock kicked three consecutive field goals to pull ahead 19-7.

In the 4th quarter, Jay Cutler put the Bears back on board. Cutler and tight-end Kellen Davis connected on a 12 yard-pass for his only reception of the day. The touchdown cut the Bears deficit to 19-14.

On the ensuing drive, on 1st and 10 on Carolinas 20 yard-line Newton dropped back to hit wideout Steve Smith who slipped, Tim Jennings jumped the rout and intercepted the pass to take it back for seven and give the Bears the late 20-19 lead. Jennings recorded two interceptions, a total of six on the year.

The Panthers almost responded with an incredible catch by Smith, but the veteran was unable to hang onto the ball. As a result, Medlock kicked a 45 yard field goal off the goal pole to go back ahead 22-20.

Cutler and Brandon Marshall connected four times on the final drive to help push the Bears into field goal range. On 2nd and 7 with four seconds left, Robbie Gould nailed a 41 yard field goal for the win.

Cutler finished the game completing 19-of-28 passes for 186 yards one touchdown, one interception and two fumbles. Cutler favorite target Marshall, caught nine passes for 98 yards.

Newton completed 20-of-39 passes for 314 yards threw two interceptions and two fumbles. Steve Smith, caught seven passes for 118 yards.

Carolina will head to FedEx field next week to take on the Washington Redskins. The Bears will be on the road next week against the Tennessee Titans as they look to stay atop the NFC North division with the Vikings and Packers breathing right behind their necks.

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The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Chicago Bears behind the play of quarterback Tyler Palko in an ugly one, 10-3. Palko initially started the game, but was benched in the second quarter to be replaced by newly acquired quarterback Kyle Orton. However Orton stay would be a short one as he was hurt on his first passing attempt.

During a flea-flicker throw Orton’s hand collided with Chicago safety Major Wright, and Orton signaled to the sideline that he needed to come out of the game. The Chicago Bears dealt with quarterback problems of their own as Caleb Haine made his second straight start, replacing the normal starter Jay Cutler, who is out with a broken thumb.

With Cutler out and Haine in, the Bears were relying even more on their all purpose running back Matt Forte to carry the team. However that luxury was taken away as Forte was hurt early in the first quarter when line backer Derrick Johnson collided with his knee.  Forte was taken out of the game and did not return for the rest of the game.

With each team battling injury at key offensive positions, scoring opportunities were a rare occasion. Palko delivered the only touchdown of the day  at the end of the first half, heaving a desperation ball into the end zone and off of a deflection the ball found Dexter McCluster. The Hail Mary pass proved to be the eventual difference in the game, as it would be all the Chiefs need to defeat the Bears.

This Bears loss drops them to 7-5 and marks their second loss in a row. Their playoff hopes are in serious danger of being dashed as they are in the middle of a tight NFC wildcard race. With the Chiefs win, playoff hopes are alive and the team stays behind Denver Broncos in the A.F.C. West Division race.

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