Bears use defense, strong play from Cutler to take 16-0 lead over Vikings at halftime

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Bears lead Vikes 16-0 at halftime

CHICAGO — Jay Cutler threw a touchdown pass to Greg Olsen, Robbie Gould kicked three field goals and the Chicago Bears defense blanked Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings in the first half to take a 16-0 lead Monday night.

Cutler, not looking like the struggling quarterback who has thrown 25 interceptions this season, rifled a 7-yard TD pass to Olsen to give the Bears a 13-0 lead with 5:56 left in the half.

During the 66-yard scoring drive, Cutler had a 24-yard connection to Olsen and a 26-yarder to Devin Aromashodu that carried to the Vikings 2.

Chicago put together a last-second drive with Cutler connecting with Aromashodu on a 24-yard pass to the Vikings’ 26. But after the Bears decided against a last crack at the end zone on second down and let the clock run down instead, Gould hit from 41 yards on the final play.

Gould also connected from 22 and 42 yards.

The Bears had a 225-82 advantage in total yards during the first half. Favre was 5 of 9 for 36 yards. Cutler was 12 of 21 for 156.

Minnesota has already clinched the NFC North and is trying to regain momentum heading into the playoffs after losing two of three, including a 26-7 loss at Carolina in its last game.

The Vikings are hoping to eventually gain a first-round bye. They also want to put behind them a sideline spat last week between Favre and coach Brad Childress.

The conflict last week sparked reports of Favre and Childress clashing over the play calling. Both said their relationship is fine.

Now they have to find a way to get the offense going.

Temperature at kickoff Monday night was 26 degrees and a 9 mph wind created a wind chill of 17. Vikings punter Chris Kluwe managed just a 16-yarder in the second quarter.

Trailing 3-0, the Vikings were on the move late in the opening quarter as Favre completed his first four pass attempts for a first down at the Bears 30. But after a penalty and an incomplete shovel pass, Favre fumbled on third down when hit by Chicago’s Israel Idonije and Tommie Harris recovered for the Bears at the 40.

The Bears were booed after a quick three-and-out on their first possession.

But the next time they got the ball, Cutler scrambled away from the rush, rolled right and found Desmond Clark for a 26-yard gain to the Vikings 27. A 9-yard pass to Rashied Davis got the Bears a first-and-goal at the 10, but when Cutler’s third-down pass from the 4 was knocked away, Gould hit from 22.

The Vikings were without nose tackle Pat Williams on Monday night. He was inactive with an elbow injury and was replaced by Jimmy Kennedy.

The Bears, whose 5-9 record after a 3-1 start has put the heat on coach Lovie Smith, were without wide receiver and kick returner Devin Hester, sidelined a third straight game with a calf injury.