Chicago Bears defense picked up where offense was lacking
A sequence late in the first half typified the kind of day it was for the Chicago Bears' offense.
On second-and-goal from the Carolina Panthers' 1-yard line, a Jordan Howard run lost 1 yard.
On third down, quarterback Mitch Trubisky scrambled for an apparent touchdown, but review reversed the call and placed the ball just inside the one-yard line.
The Bears settled for Connor Barth's 19-yard field goal and a 17-3 lead with 1:10 left.
Why not go for the TD?
"You do something on second down, and it didn't work," coach John Fox said. "You do something on third down, and it didn't work. What on earth makes you think something good is going to happen on the fourth down?
"I'll just make it simple for you. We had the ball to start the third quarter, and we knew that going in. We wanted to get 3 points vs. zero."
It was uncertain whether Fox's exasperation was with the question or the Bears' offense, which produced just 5 first downs.
Sack attack:
Six different players shared in the 5 sacks of Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, who was held to a 54.9 passer rating and threw 2 interceptions and zero touchdowns.
Akiem Hicks had his team-best sixth sack, 1 shy of last year's career-best 7. Danny Trevathan got his second in as many weeks.
Leonard Floyd picked up No. 4, all in the last four games. Pernell McPhee also got his fourth, matching last year's total, and Eddie Goldman and Mitch Unrein split a sack.
Cornerback Prince Amukamara likened it to "a bunch of hyenas going after the quarterback."
McPhee said the improved play in the back end - 4 interceptions in the past two games - goes hand in hand with the pass rush.
"It help us out rushing when we know we can (have time) get to the quarterback," McPhee said. "When it's in the fourth quarter, and we're up, we just turn it loose because we know our DB's got our back."
The Bears have 12 sacks in the last three games after getting 9 in the first four.
No time to coast:
Despite back-to-back victories for the first time in almost two years, the 3-4 Bears aren't ready to hit cruise control.
"We have not arrived - we won two in a row," coach John Fox said. "The team knows how hard they worked two weeks ago, and they know how hard they worked last week. It's in their court. We have enough leadership in there that guys will make that happen when we prepare for New Orleans."
Linebacker Pernell McPhee (1 sack, 3 QB hits) is one of those leaders.
"We still have a long way to go," McPhee said. "Just keep building that chemistry, that bond. We ain't really done nothin' yet. It's great, and I love it, but we just have to stay focused and forget about this game and move on to the Saints."
By the numbers:
Inside linebacker Christian Jones led the Bears with 11 tackles. … Despite throwing just 7 passes and completing 4, quarterback Mitch Trubisky had a passer rating of 101.8, thanks mostly to a 70-yard completion to rookie running back Tarik Cohen. … The defense has allowed 3 points or less in the first halves of three straight games for the first time since 2005.
In and out:
Linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski (chest) dressed for the first time since Week 2 but did not play and defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris left with a hamstring injury and did not return.
Wide receiver Markus Wheaton (groin), cornerback Sherrick McManis (hamstring), running back Benny Cunningham (hamstring), linebacker John Timu (ankle/knee), center Hroniss Grasu (hand), defensive lineman John Jenkins and quarterback Mark Sanchez were inactive.
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