Cutler throws for 2 TDs as Bears take 23-13 lead over Vikings after 3 quarters

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Bears lead Vikes 23-13 after 3 quarters

CHICAGO — Jay Cutler hit Desmond Clark with a 2-yard pass, a touchdown set up by Danieal Manning’s 57-yard kickoff return, as the Chicago Bears took a 23-13 lead over the Minnesota Vikings after three quarters Monday night.

The Vikings, already the NFC North champions, had lost two of three entering the game and were trying to stop their late-season fade on a cold night at Soldier Field.

Cutler also had a 7-yard TD pass to Greg Olsen in the first half and Robbie Gould’s three field goals helped the Bears take 16-0 lead.

After a first half in which he was just 5 of 9 for 36 yards, Brett Favre got untracked on Minnesota’s second possession of the third quarter. He hit Bernard Berrian with a 13-yard pass and then on the next play found him open behind the secondary for a 38-yard gain to the Bears 22.

When Chicago’s Charles Tillman interfered with Sidney Rice in the end zone, the Vikings had a first-and-goal at the 1 and Adrian Peterson carried it in for the TD.

But Israel Idonijie, who forced Favre to fumble in the first half, blocked Ryan Longwell’s extra point attempt, leaving the Vikings in a 16-6 hole.

Manning then returned the ensuing kickoff 57 yards to the Vikings 34. And two plays after a pass interference call against Minnesota’s Jasper Brinkley put the ball on the 4, Cutler lofted the pass to Clark for a 23-6 lead.

Favre then led the Vikings on a 10-play, 73-yard drive, hitting a 6-yard scoring pass to Visanthe Shiancoe. Moments earlier he hit a key third-down pass of 11 yards to Rice.

Chicago rookie receiver and kick returner Johnny Knox injured a leg after returning the ensuing kickoff 31 yards and had to leave the field on a cart.

Moments later, Cutler threw his 26th interception of the season — this one by Minnesota’s Cedric Griffin.

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.

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 Idonijie and Tommie Harris recovered for the Bears at the 40.

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.