National Football League

Cutler, Bears get past Rams

Published Dec. 6, 2009 10:42 p.m. ET

foxsports

The way Jay Cutler started, the Chicago Bears looked as though they were headed to a lopsided win. Instead, they had to hang on to get by lowly St. Louis.

Even so, they'll take this.

Cutler faded after a strong start, throwing for 143 yards and a touchdown without an interception, and the Bears beat the Rams 17-9 Sunday after dropping four straight and six of seven.

"It feels like it's been a long time," he said. "It wasn't the prettiest game but we pulled it out. Defensively I thought we did a great job."

Cutler was 4 for 7 for 131 yards in the first quarter as the Bears built a 10-0 lead. After that? Chicago went to the run, St. Louis rallied and Bears receiver Devin Hester left the game with a calf injury.