Chicago Bears, Jay Cutler lean on impressive defense

Jay Cutler told reporters after Sunday's win over the Jacksonville Jaguars that the offense does not panic if it struggles because the team's defense has been so good to start the 2012 season.

"The thing is, on the sidelines there's no panic for us offensively," Cutler said. "If we're (in a game where the score is) 3-3, if we're 7-10, if we're close (and) we're in it, the defense is going to give us more opportunities. So we just have to keep grinding away, keep talking football (and) figure out what plays we like, what plays we don't like because that defense is going to create turnovers. They're going to get three-and-outs. We're going to get more opportunities."

(via ESPN Chicago)

The Bears offense sputtered for most of the day on Sunday, putting up only three points in the first half and six points through three quarters. But the team took a 13-3 lead into the fourth thanks to a Charles Tillman interception return, and Lance Briggs added one of his own to ice the game with eight minutes remaining.

Cutler's stats for the game belie the team's struggles due to two fourth quarter touchdown passes, but Sunday's matchup was a defensive battle for much of the game. It was one that the Bears won easily, holding Jacksonville to under 200 yards of total offense to go along with the two interception returns. The Bears also recovered a fumble.