Packers’ defense keys on Forte

A burst netted Bears running back Matt Forte well-earned positive yards.

Bears fans applauded.

They appreciated the effort … and gain of 3 yards.

After all, the Bears’ previous nine offensive plays to start the second half went as follows:

ŸJay Cutler sacked for minus-8 yards.

ŸForte rush of minus-1 yard.

ŸCutler incomplete pass (Kellen Davis intended).

ŸForte rush of minus-2 yards.

ŸCutler incomplete pass (Johnny Knox intended).

ŸCutler incomplete pass (Knox intended).

ŸCutler incomplete pass (Tyler Clutts intended).

ŸCutler pass incomplete (Forte intended).

ŸCutler sacked for minus-8 yards.

By game’s end — a 27-17 Green Bay victory — the Bears were credited with 12 rushes for 13 yards. Cutler had 3 carries for 11 yards. Forte had 9 rushes for 2 yards and a 0.2 yards-per-carry average.

“He’s a good player,” said Green Bay nose tackle B.J. Raji of Forte. “But we knew that if we took care of our business he wouldn’t be a factor in this game.”

For the second week in a row, Forte was the Bears’ leading receiver. He caught 7 passes for 80 yards. For the season, he has caught a team-leading 22 catches (13.0 average).

“Matt Forte is an exceptional player,” said Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy. “I think he’s a complete back, and the way they run their offense tells you how they feel about him.

“We figured he’d touch (the ball) somewhere in the area of 20 attempts, whether it was running it or catching it. He was definitely the focus for us on defense.”

Green Bay’s secondary didn’t seem to miss a beat, despite losing safety Nick Collins to a season-ending injury last week.

Packers free safety Morgan Burnett had 2 interceptions, both when Cutler was looking downfield for Roy Williams, who didn’t catch a pass despite being targeted four times.

“Everyone just has to be able to communicate with one another,” Burnett said. “We did a great job communicating.”