The Bears found a team they are better than, at least by a small margin.Despite having no big statistical advantages,and even with Lance Briggs among those inactive, the Bears beat the awful St.Louis Rams 17-9 by holding the bewildered visitors out of the end zone.On a chilly,but sunny early December afternoon,two franchises who played for the NFC Title here 24 years ago, faced off as two of the worst teams in the NFL.

Jay Cutlers first pass,on the Bears second series,was a 48 yarder to Devin Hester at the Rams 37.One play later,Johnny Knox was interfered with by Quincy Butler in the end zone. After a pair of Matt Forte no gainers, he found a hole off left guard and the Bears had their first lead(7-0)since the Philadelphia game November 22. After stopping the Rams, the Bears(5-7) took their at their own 6, and on third down, Cutler found Earl Bennett in stride and he got to the St.Louis 20, before fumbling out of bounds.It was 71 yard pass play. An 11 yard pass top Knox put the ball at the 9.But after a catch by Hester with only one foot in bounds in the end zone, Robbie Gould kicked a 27 yard field goal.In the second quarter, the Rams(1-11) failed to take advantage of great field position. Kyle Boller hit Brandon Gibson on a third and 19,but Zack Bowman knocked the ball loose, Al Afalava had it bounce into his grasp and he returned it to the St.Louis16.The Bears did not move the ball,and lined up for a field goal,but holder Brad Maynard tossed a shovel pass to Greg Olsen. He was stuffed well short of a first down,so the Bears came up empty and the Rams took over at their own 10 and marched 88 yards in 14 plays using 6:16,but they had to settle for a 10 yard Josh Brown field goal with 1:14 left,and it was 10-3 Bears at halftime.

The Rams tightened the score on their second drive of the third quarter-helped by a 15 yard`face mask penalty on Peanut Tillman.Brown kicked a 48 yard field goal.Earlier,Hester suffered a calf injury and did not return.The Bears answered,helped by two Rams penalties,including a ‘horse collar’ call,and they went 76 yards in 13 plays. Cutler hit a wide open Bennett for a three yard TD with 1:23 left in the quarter.The Rams added a third field goal by Brown,from 50 yards out with 10:10 to go in the fourth. That was it.

NOTES—With temperatures 36* at game time, there were 7,346 no shows…..The Bears only out gained the Rams 248-233…..Stephen Jackson had 112 yards for St.Louis while Forte rushed for 91 yards and 1 TD…..Cutler was 8-17 for 143 yards,1 TD and zero interceptions.His passer rating was 96.0……Boller was 17-32 for 113 yards and 1 interception…..Jamar Williams,playing in place of Briggs, had 18 tackles-13 of them solo.

LES