Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler hit tight end Zach Miller for a game-deciding, 25-yard touchdown with 3:19 remaining. Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
SAN DIEGO — Trailing by nine points after three quarters, the Chicago Bears rallied to beat the San Diego Chargers 22-19 Monday night.
The Bears (3-5) handed the Chargers (2-7) a fifth consecutive loss.
Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler hit tight end Zach Miller for a game-deciding, 25-yard touchdown with 3:19 remaining. Running back Jeremy Langford rushed over for the two-point conversion and a 22-19 advantage, the Bears’ first lead of the night.
Miller’s one-handed catch over the middle helped the Bears snap a two-game losing streak. The Chargers’ skid is their longest since they dropped six in a row in 2011.
Culter completed 27 of 40 passes for 345 yards and two touchdowns. He also lost a fumble and was intercepted once. Bears receiver Alshon Jeffery caught 10 passes for 151 yards.
Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers was 26-for-42 passes for 280 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. It was the first time he didn’t throw for at least 300 yards in six games.
San Diego running back Danny Woodhead produced 111 total yards and a touchdown.
Kicker Josh Lambo’s second field goal, this one from 22 yards, increased the Chargers’ lead to 19-14 with eight minutes to play. Before Lambo’s kick, San Diego had a touchdown pass from Rivers to tight end Antonio Gates wiped away when right guard D.J. Fluker was flagged for being downfield.
The Bears pulled within 16-14 with 14 minutes remaining on Langford’s 1-yard touchdown run. It capped a 93-yard, 15-play drive in which Chicago converted four third downs, the final one on the rookie Langford’s score.
Lambo’s 31-yard field goal in the half’s waning seconds pushed the Chargers’ advantage to 16-7.
The Bears sliced their deficit to 13-7 when Cutler clicked with tight end Martellus Bennett on a 1-yard pass midway through the second quarter.
Earlier in the quarter, Chicago cornerback Tracy Porter stripped wide receiver Dontrelle Inman of the ball, and it was recovered by linebacker Christian Jones, with the Bears taking over at the San Diego 41-yard line.
Two plays later, though, cornerback Jason Verrett went 68 yards for a pick-six and a 13-0 Chargers advantage. Lambo missed the point after. It was Verrett’s first touchdown and second interception of his career off Cutler’s second turnover of the first half.
The Bears appeared poised to score late in the first quarter, when they advanced to the Chargers’ 10-yard line. However, Chicago retreated 5 yards on an offside penalty, then linebacker Melvin Ingram sacked Cutler and forced a fumble, which was recovered by safety Eric Weddle. The Chargers weren’t able to convert the turnover into points.
The Chargers struck first after Gould was wide left on a 47-yard field goal attempt to end the game’s first possession. Gould also missed from 34 yards in the third quarter.
Rivers found Woodhead for a 14-yard scoring pass and a 7-0 lead. Woodhead ran a wheel route from the left side of the formation and was wide open for the score as the Bears bungled their zone coverage.
NOTES: Chargers WR Malcom Floyd (shoulder) exited the game in the second quarter and didn’t return. … Chargers ILB Manti Te’o (ankle) missed his fourth consecutive game. … San Diego LT King Dunlap (ankle) was out for a second consecutive contest. … Chargers DT Corey Liuget (foot) wasn’t able to play after getting hurt last week. … San Diego OL Chris Watt (shoulder) was placed on injured reserve. … Bears rookie RB Jeremy Langford saw more time with Matt Forte (knee) out. … Chicago WR Eddie Royal (ankle) was inactive. He is a former Charger. … Bears coach John Fox, who played at San Diego State, was on Bobby Ross’ first Chargers coaching staff in 1992.
