Bears QB Jay Cutler shines in fourth quarter

Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler has shined in the fourth quarter of games in 2012.

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Former Chicago defensive coordinator says he'll be concerned 'when the time comes'

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Tim Jennings helps Bears minimize Steve Smith's impact in win

While Chicago Bears cornerback Tim Jennings didn't completely shut down Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith, he did limit the damage. Jennings also intercepted two passes, including a pick-six in the fourth quarter.

Earl Bennett helps key second half comeback for Chicago Bears

After a quiet first half in Sunday's win over the Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears wide receiver Earl Bennett made some big plays in the second frame to fuel a comeback from 12 points down.

Chicago Bears set record with Tim Jennings' pick-six

The Bears' cornerback's fourth quarter interception return for a touchdown set an NFL record for pick-sixes through the first seven games of an NFL season.

Chicago Bears overcome struggling offensive line in win vs. Panthers

The Chicago Bears beat the Carolina Panthers on Sunday in spite of their offensive line, not because of it.

Panthers vs. Bears 2012: Chicago wins 'odd' game

The Chicago Bears beat the Carolina Panthers on Sunday in what fans called an "odd" game.

The Bear Trap, Week 8: Cam Newton throws crucial interception as Bears rally from 12-point deficit

The Bear Trap's confidence never wavered. Mostly because our TV was flickering in and out.

Chicago Bears 23, Carolina Panthers 22: A Critical Reassessment

The Chicago Bears needed a big-time fourth quarter comeback to improve to 6-1 on Sunday.

Chicago Bears kicker Robbie Gould redeems himself with game-winning kick

Gould bounced back from a missed 4th-quarter field goal to nail the game-winner as time expired.

Panthers vs. Bears final score: Chicago completes 4th quarter comeback, wins 23-22

Despite three turnovers in the first half by Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and a sputtering offense, the Carolina Panthers blew an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter as Chicago nabbed a 23-22 victory on Sunday at Soldier Field.

Chicago kicker Robbie Gould hit a 41-yard attempt as time expired to steal the victory from the lowly 1-6 Panthers.

The Bears (6-1) offense struggled mightily and found itself trailing 19-7 early in the fourth quarter. A three-and-out by Carolina and a botched punt at the Panthers' 32-yard line gave Chicago the ball at the Panthers' 38, and Cutler got out of his funk to score on the drive capped by a 12-yard touchdown throw to Kellen Davis.

On the first play after the ensuing kickoff, maligned quarterback Cam Newton threw a pick-six to cornerback Tim Jennings for a 25-yard interception return that gave Chicago a 20-19 lead. It was Jennings' second interception of the day.

Newton also fumbled the ball twice, but each time, Carolina recovered. He finished with a 20-of-39 day, 314 yards and two interceptions.

Kicker Justin Medlock hit four field goals on the day as Chicago's defense tightened up in the red zone. The Panthers struggled to punch the ball in, and Medlock's kicks came from 34 yards, 31 yards, 22 yards and 43 yards. His 45-yarder with 2:32 remaining in the game gave the Panthers the lead back to seemingly avoid a meltdown.

But Cutler found himself in the final two drives. He finished the game having completed 19-of-28 passes for 186 yards, and he was the catalyst in setting up the game-winning field goal.

Fantasy stud: Carolina kicker Justin Medlock went a perfect 5-for-5 and almost made the difference for the Panthers' red-zone inept offense.

Fantasy dud: Jay Cutler, who came into Sunday's Week 8 game with a rib injury. While he made up for a terrible performance late, the numbers still weren't there.

Odds: The Chicago Bears opened as 7.5 point favorites and that line varied from 7.0 to 9.0 depending, on the oddsmaker. The game turned out much closer than those betting on Chicago would have liked.

Injury info: Carolina defensive tackle Dwan Edwards left the game with an ankle injury and was questionable to return. Panthers wide receiver Brandon LaFell went to the locker room in the third quarter after taking a shot to the head on a hit by Chicago safety Chris Conte. Conte was flagged for hitting a defenseless player.

Next up: The Chicago Bears head to Tennessee and will face the Titans on Sunday. The Carolina Panthers also hit the road and will play the Washington Redskins.

This story originally appeared at SB Nation.

Bears vs. Panthers score: Medlock field goals add to Carolina lead

The Chicago Bears' offense has struggled, and their defense put in poor position has done its best to keep the Carolina Panthers out of the end zone. Yet two field goals have extended the Carolina lead to 19-7 heading to the fourth quarter on Sunday.

Justin Medlock added to Carolina's lead with a 22-yard field goal which gave the Panthers a 16-7 lead with 6:51 left in the third quarter. He tacked on another with 1:35 left in the third quarter, this one from 43 yards out.

Cam Newton and the Panthers' offense have moved the ball against Chicago, keeping each of the two scoring drives alive despite starting inside Carolina's own 15-yard line. Each took more than five minutes off the clock, and Chicago didn't help itself with two offensive possessions that were both 3-and-outs.

Chicago is losing the time of possession battle, 30 minutes to 15 minutes.

Jay Cutler has continued to struggle and is 7-for-14 with 80 yards and three turnovers. The Bears have run only 34 plays to 63 by Carolina.

Bears vs. Panthers score: Chicago turnovers give Panthers first-half lead

The Carolina Panthers lead the Chicago Bears 13-7 at the half, yet have rolled up 225 total yards.

Jay Cutler has all three of Chicago's turnovers, but the Bears' defense has kept the game in control by forcing field goals and their own interception on Panthers quarterback Cam Newton.

With the Bears leading 7-3, a Cutler fumble deep in Chicago territory during the first quarter made a short field for Carolina. The Panthers scored from 16 yards out but did so after an 8-yard run by Newton ended with a fumble at the 1-yard line that was recovered by Carolina receiver Louis Murphy, who scored the touchdown to avoid a missed opportunity for his team.

Carolina kicker Justin Medlock knocked in his second field goal of Sunday with 4:41 to play in the first half to extend Carolina's lead to 13-7.

Matt Forte has been efficient on the ground for Chicago, taking eight carries for 61 yards and a touchdown.

Cutler has connected on 4-of-9 passes for 40 yards with an interception and two fumbles. Newton has also fumbled twice, but each time the ball was recovered by the Panthers.

Panthers vs. Bears score update: Chicago leads despite turnovers

Jay Cutler hasn't started well for the Chicago Bears, but they lead the Carolina Panthers after one quarter of play.

Bears vs. Panthers inactives: Nate Collins active for first time all season

The Chicago Bears host the Carolina Panthers at 1 p.m. Sunday and for the first time this season, defensive tackle Nate Collins will be active, according to Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune.

Collins, in his third season in the league, was suspended for the first game of the season and had been inactive since. He played in 12 games for the Jacksonville Jaguars last season.

Also inactive for the Bears are wide receivers Alshon Jeffery and Dane Sanzenbacher, offensive lineman Edwin Williams, defensive lineman Matt Toeaina and Amobi Okoye, tight end Brody Eldridge and defensive tackle Cheta Ozougwu.

Inactive players for the Panthers: quarterback Jimmy Clausen, defensive linemen Antwan Applewhite and Thomas Keiser, offensive lineman Bruce Campbell, safety D.J. Campbell, wide receiver Joe Adams and defensive back James Dockery.

The Bears enter this game trying to improve on their 5-1 record. They are in first place in the NFC North standings, ahead of the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers. Carolina is 1-5 after losing four straight games.

Panthers vs. Bears: Game time, TV schedule, injury updates and more

The Bears can extend their lead in the NFC North with a victory over Carolina on Sunday.

Bears rookie Evan Rodriguez healthy, looking for playing time

After fully recovering from an ankle injury, Bears rookie Evan Rodriguez believes he can help a Chicago offense that put up only 7 points last Monday night. The fullback from Temple has yet to touch the ball once this season.

Chicago Bears' Devin Hester knows he has to be better in return game

At 5-1 the Bears are in first place in the NFC North. Still, Chicago's coaching staff would still like to see improved play, especially from return man Devin Hester.

Carolina Panthers injuries: Defensive end Charles Johnson probable for Sunday

Carolina Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson is listed as probable on the team's injury report for Sunday's contest against the Chicago Bears.

Chicago Bears injuries: Jay Cutler ready to go vs. Panthers

Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, who suffered bruised ribs on Monday night, is set to start against the Panthers this Sunday.

Panthers coach Ron Rivera not ready to give in

With his Panthers off to a 1-5 start, head coach Ron Rivera is focused on getting his team moving forward and improving.

Bears injury report: Jay Cutler officially listed as probable for Week 8 vs. Panthers

The Chicago Bears released their official Week 8 injury report on Friday, and star quarterback Jay Cutler (ribs) is listed as probable for the team's game against the Carolina Panthers.

Chicago Bears expect more from Devin Hester

Chicago Bears special-teams coordinator Dave Toub is looking for more from Devin Hester.

Chicago Bears vs. Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton's struggles should continue

Bobby Loesch and Joe Gems break down Bears vs. Panthers.