The Bears survived two interceptions and a lost fumble while defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 20-10 on Sunday in front of 59,743 fans at Soldier Field.
Devin Hester dazzled the crowd with a 73-yard punt return for a touchdown. Cedric Benson enjoyed the second 100-yard rushing game of his career. And the Bears’ defense held Kansas City running back Larry Johnson to 55 yards on 16 carries.
The first turnover of the game occurred at 8 minutes 50 seconds of the first period when Bears wide receiver Bernard Berrian caught a 18-yard pass from Rex Grossman. The ball was stripped by safety Bernard Pollard and recovered by former Bears defensive lineman Alfonso Boone. After a challenge by Bears coach Lovie Smith, the call on the field stood.
The Bears (1-1) took a 7-0 lead on a 2-yard pass from Grossman to John St. Clair, who entered the game as a tackle eligible. The scoring drive covered 79 yards on 15 plays. St. Clair, a 6-foot-5, 315-pound veteran, had been recruited to Virginia as a tight end. It was the Bears’ first touchdown of the young season.
Hester scored with 9:15 to go in the second quarter. Hester, who set an NFL record in 2006 with six returns for a touchdown, took Dustin Colquitt’s 48-yard punt, gave a head fake to his right, then sprinted untouched down the left sideline for the score and a 14-0 Bears lead.
Robbie Gould booted a 47-yard field goal with 2:30 left until halftime to improve the lead to 17-0. But the Chiefs answered with a 16-yard TD pass from Damon Huard to Dwayne Rowe to make it 17-7.
The Bears and Chiefs (0-2) traded field goals in the third quarter. Gould was true from 38 yards before Dave Rayner came through on a 45-yarder. Rayner later had a 48-yard field goal attempt blocked by Israel Idonije with 10:01 left in the fourth period.
Grossman had a pass intercepted by linebacker Donnie Edwards with 9:15 left, and the Chiefs were in business at the Bears’ 26. The pass was intended for Rashied Davis and returned 18 yards by Edwards.
The Bears got the ball right back when Huard’s pass intended for Samie Parker in the end zone was picked off by Danieal Manning after Charles Tillman tipped the ball. Manning returned the pick 33 yards.Grossman had modest stats. He completed 20 of 34 passes for 160 yards and one touchdown. He was intercepted twice and sacked four times for a 56.0 passer rating.
Lance Briggs recovered a fumble by Michael Bennett with 2:21 left in the game to thwart the Chiefs’ final scoring threat.
– – –
POLL
POSITION
Chicagosports.com asked: “Who ruled for the Bears on Sunday?”
78.2%
Devin Hester
(73 yd. punt return)
7.4%
Cedric Benson
(101 yards rushing)
6.2%
Tommie Harris
(two sacks, five tackles)
6.0%
Charles Tillman
(forced fumble, INT helper)
1.5%
John St. Clair
(only offensive TD)
0.7%
Brian Urlacher
(first sack since ’05)
