Cutler passes for only 141 yards, but he'll take the win

The last time Jay Cutler threw for fewer yards than the 141 he amassed Sunday was more than two years ago, when his Denver Broncos were beaten by the Indianapolis Colts and he had just 131 passing yards.

But this time Cutler's team won, and the Bears' quarterback had his third straight game with a 100-plus passer rating, completing 18 of 28 passes with 2 touchdowns and no interceptions.

In those three games, Cutler has 7 TD passes and just 1 pick.

Offensively, the Bears were outgained by the Detroit Lions 398-276.

"Offensively, we didn't really get into a rhythm," Cutler said. "It was tough. To score 48 points and have that few yards, your defense and special teams have to do a great job, which they did today."

Cutler completed just 1 pass of 20 yards or more, a 25-yarder to Earl Bennett, but he provided a highlight-film effort on his 5-yard TD run.

Cutler rolled left and took it into the end zone with a headlong dive at the goal line, where he was helicoptered by linebacker Julian Peterson.

But he held the ball and landed in the end zone to the game at 7-7 with 8:51 left in the first quarter.

It was reminiscent of John Elway's Super Bowl XXXII run that still is frequently replayed. That's not the look Cutler was going for, though.

"I was just trying to get in there," he said. "If I could have just dove in there nice and quietly, I would have."

Coach Lovie Smith said he wasn't all that concerned about an injury to the team's franchise quarterback.

"That's what you expect from your leader," Smith said. "A leader has to sacrifice from time to time. It didn't surprise me at all.

"Jay's a tough guy, he has a defensive type mentality at times, and we needed that play. He's a big, tough guy. In my brief time with him he's gotten up every time, so I expect him to get up every time."

Cutler said he received no negative feedback from the coaching staff after the dangerous play.

"As long as you get 7 (points) and walk away," he said, "they're not going to complain too much."

Offensive coordinator Ron Turner said he experienced a few anxious moments when Cutler went airborne.

"He's doing everything he can to win," Turner said, "and plays like that are why the guys respect him so much. But no question about it, you take a deep breath and then a sigh of relief when you see him stand up and he's OK."