Bears' Cutler enjoys another big day

DETROIT -- For the second straight week quarterback Jay Cutler put up Pro Bowl-type numbers in the face of a heavy pass rush.

Although he was sacked four times, just as he was a week earlier, Cutler completed 21 of 26 throws for 244 yards, 1 touchdown and no interceptions for a passer rating of 117.0.

A week earlier, he threw 4 TD passes and had a career-best passer rating of 146.2 against Philadelphia.

“In games like this you need your special players to be special,” coach Lovie Smith said of Cutler. “I really thought he stepped up and made play after play. His mobility continues to get us out of bad plays.”

In addition to his pinpoint passing, Cutler scrambled for 7 yards on a third-and-4 in the third quarter. Late in the game, he picked up a crucial 8 yards, down to the Lions' 14, just before what proved to be his game-winning, 7-yard TD pass to tight end Brandon Manumaleuna with 8:39 left.

At the end of that last run Cutler was shoved to the ground by Lions rookie defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, which drew an unnecessary- roughness penalty and gave the Bears the ball at the 7.

Cutler declined to slide and protect himself on either run.

“It's December,” he said. “We're playing well. We've got to keep it going. I've never really slid a lot in my career.

“If we're in the middle of the field, I might get down. But I'm trying to pick up first downs just like everyone else and I'm going to try to do whatever it takes.”

Kicking it:

Robbie Gould's career-best 54-yard field goal late in the third quarter got the Bears to within 20-17. He also had 2 touchbacks and now has a career-best 13 for the season.

Punter Brad Maynard dropped 2 of his 3 punts inside the 20, including a third-quarter boot that was downed at the Lions' 3-yard line. Devin Hester's 30-yard punt return set up Gould's field goal.

“Our specialists were outstanding,” coach Lovie Smith said. “Robbie kicking off and of course the long field goal, and Brad did a good job of punting.”

Showing depth:

Nick Roach, who was subbing for injured Pisa Tinoisamoa (knee), suffered a hip injury in the first half and did not return. He was replaced by Rod Wilson, who finished with 3 tackles.