Cutler, Howard lead the charge
CHICAGO — Jay Cutler threw for 252 yards and a touchdown after missing five games with a thumb injury, and rookie Jordan Howard ran for a careerhigh 153 yards and a TD as Chicago stunned the Minnesota Vikings 2010 on Monday night. The Bears sacked Sam Bradford five times while handing the NFC North-leading Vikings (5-2) their second consecutive loss.
Cutler was on target in his return from a sprained right thumb. Howard easily surpassed his previous high of 118 yards. Alshon Jeffery got his first touchdown reception of the season.
Cutler had not played since he exited against Philadelphia in the second game of the season. But with his future up in the air after coach John Fox wavered in his commitment to him as the starter, he made a triumphant return.
Cutler completed 20 of 31 passes, including an 11yard touchdown to Jeffery early in the third quarter that made it 20-3. Whether he quieted fans who thought the Bears were better off with Brian Hoyer is another issue. But that became a moot point when Hoyer broke his left arm last week in a Thursday night loss at Green Bay.
Howard had a 69-yard run — the longest for Chicago in seven years. Zach Miller added 88 yards receiving as the Bears (2-6) stopped a three-game losing streak.
Bradford, playing behind a porous line, had another rough game after getting sacked six times the previous week against Philadelphia. He was 23of-37 for 228 yards.
Matt Asiata ran for 42 yards with Jerick McKinnon sidelined by an ankle injury.
With a sparse and quiet crowd looking on, Chicago led 13-3 at halftime. It was almost a bigger advantage, but the Bears settled for field goals on their first two trips inside the 20.