honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 10:09 a.m., Sunday, November 23, 2008

NFL: Bears latest team to finish Rams by halftime, 27-3

By R.B. FALLSTROM
AP Sports Writer

ST. LOUIS — Another opponent put the St. Louis Rams hopelessly behind by halftime. This time, it was the Chicago Bears' turn to roll up some big numbers.

Matt Forte scored on two long runs and Marc Bulger lasted only five plays against a defense that had three of a season-best five sacks by the break, helping the Bears build a 21-point cushion in a 27-3 victory Sunday.

Kyle Orton set a franchise record with 185 consecutive passes without an interception, helping the Bears (6-5) rebound from a 37-3 blowout loss at Green Bay last week and keep a share of first place in the balanced NFC North.

In a repeat of recent games, the Edward Jones Dome appeared to have a 50-50 mix — or worse — of Rams and Bears fans. Rams guard Richie Incognito, who was critical of fan support during the practice week, was booed after he drew a false start penalty in the second quarter.

The Rams (2-9) have lost five straight since Steven Jackson injured his thigh late in a win over the Cowboys and were booed off the field at halftime as the Bears departed to cheers. St. Louis has been routed by a 99-6 score in the first half of the last three setbacks, and outscored 123-13 in the first half the last four games.

Bulger was hurt on the Rams' opening series when he took a blow to the head on a sack by Adewale Ogunleye before being replaced by Trent Green. At halftime, the Rams said Bulger was done for the day. Just like the rest of the Rams, who totaled 14 rushing yards on 19 carries.

The Bears intercepted the 38-year-old Green four times in the second half, two by Lance Briggs with Brian Urlacher adding his second of the year, to keep the Rams from rallying.

Forte, one the NFL's top rookies, had 132 yards on 20 carries for his third 100-yard rushing game. He lost his first fumble of the year early in the second quarter, but more than made up for it with a 13-yard scoring run to cap the Bears' effortless opening drive and a 47-yarder in the second quarter in which he faked out one safety and shrugged off a tackle attempt by the second safety.

Danieal Manning's 50-yard kickoff return opened the game, giving the Bears a short field. After Forte cruised into the end zone, the chant was clearly audible: "Let's go Bears!"

The Rams have allowed five touchdowns and two field goals on the opening possession this season. The Bears scored TDs on two of three drives in the first quarter, with fullback Jason McKie going untouched on a 7-yard reception when two Rams defenders followed Devin Hester into the end zone.

Orton was 18-for-29 for 139 yards with one touchdown pass, giving him 11 TDs and only four interceptions on the year. He broke the previous franchise record of 174 consecutive passes without an interception set by Erik Kramer in 1995 and has gone without a pick in eight games.

Ogunleye and Tommie Harris each had two sacks, and Ogunleye also downed Green in his first series after replacing Bulger. The Bears' pass rush totaled 17 sacks in the first 10 games, none against the Packers, but spent a lot of time in the St. Louis backfield.