Not even a bit of quit
Bears credit 4th- quarter rally to fighting spirit
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Jay Cutler dropped the snap. Of course, he did.
Perfectly epitomizing the Bears’ victory Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs, Cutler had to pick the ball up off the ground with 23 seconds left. Then he had to look to his left — he knew exactly whom he was going to throw to— and complete a go- ahead sevenyard touchdown pass to Matt Forte.
One week after winning on a field goal with two seconds left, the Bears led for 18 seconds Sunday — including the only one that mattered — in an 18- 17 victory at Arrowhead Stadium.
Along the way, they found the identity they’ve been searching for — one that tackle Kyle Long called ‘‘ 100 percent a reflection of [ coach] John Fox and the coordinators.’’ They don’t quit. ‘‘ In years past, I feel like guys were looking at the clock like: ‘ Hey, maybe they run it out. Maybe we can get out of here with some time to spare tonight,’ ’’ Long said.
Not this season. That’s Fox’s influence, and it didn’t matter that the Bears ( 2- 3) played without starting receivers Alshon Jeffery and Eddie Royal, starting safety and defensive captain Antrel Rolle, starting center Will Montgomery and starting left tackle Jermon Bushrod. All were injured.
‘‘ You gotta just wake up in the morning, look in the mirror and say, ‘ I am a badass, and I’m going to let the guy I’m going against understand that,’ ’’ Long said.
The Bears trailed 17- 6 before Cutler threwa 22- yard touchdown pass to Marquess Wilson with 3: 05 left. Cutler threw the ball before Wilson made his break.
‘‘ I don’t think I’ve ever seen something like that,’’ Wilson said.
The Bears scored touchdowns on their final two drives after failing to do so on their first 10.
‘‘ You just practice grinding, grinding, grinding,’’ said receiver Josh Bellamy, who had six catches for 31 yards. ‘‘ Finish. You gotta finish. The first couple of games of the season, we weren’t finishing.’’
The Bears’ defense held the Chiefs ( 1- 4) to 123 yards in the second half, bullying a unit dazed by the likely seasonending knee injury running back Jamaal Charles suffered on the first drive of the third quarter. Even the Bears’ special teams contributed, blocking a field goal at the end of that possession.
Like it did last week against the Oakland Raiders, the Bears’ defense got the ball back in the fourth quarter. Cornerback Tracy Porter broke up a thirddown pass from Alex Smith to Jeremy Maclin with 2: 15 left, forcing a punt.
On the final two drives, Cutler completed 8 of 14 passes for 100 yards and drew a third- down passinterference penalty with 57 seconds left.
‘‘ Coach Fox preaches, ‘ You’re never out of the game, and you gotta play four quarters,’ ’’ said outside linebacker Lamarr Houston, who logged his first sack of 2015. ‘‘ We’re starting to learn how to do that.’’
Fox hopes that only will breed more success.
‘‘ Winning is contagious, just like losing,’’ Fox said. ‘‘ I’d rather experience the win.’’