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Bears vs. Cardinals: Chicago leads Arizona at half, 21-6

Matt Forte and the Chicago Bears have taken advantage of a poor Arizona defense after two quarters in Week 16.

USA TODAY Sports

Led by a strong first half performance from tailback Matt Forte, the Chicago bears own a 21-6 lead on the Arizona Cardinals through two quarters of play in Week 16.

Forte broke free for a 36-yard run late in the first quarter, and eventually found the end zone on the same drive with a 4-yard score to mark his fourth rushing touchdown of the season. The fifth-year back has already amassed 85 yards on the ground on just 11 rushing attempts, and is just 23 second-half yards away from setting a new season-high in a single game. Forte is also just 12 yards away from recording his third career 1,000-yard rushing campaign since entering the league in 2008.

Following a Jay Feely field goal that cut Chicago's lead to eight, the Bears and Jay Cutler proceeded to march down the field on a two-minute drill to add even more points on the board before intermission. With a mere 18 seconds remaining on the clock, Cutler found his favorite target, wideout Brandon Marshall, in the back of the end zone on an 11-yard strike to give the Bears a comfortable lead. The touchdown grab now gives the Pro Bowl receiver 11 receiving scores on the year, a number that also sets a new career-high. Still desperate for a victory to stay in the NFC playoff hunt, the Bears will likely keep a foot firmly planted on the gas pedal in the second half.