PHILADELPHIA (AP) ― Matt Forte bounced back from two costly turnovers and Jay Cutler rallied the resilient Bears.
Cutler threw a go-ahead 5-yard TD pass to Earl Bennett in the fourth quarter, Forte ran for 133 yards and the Bears beat the Philadelphia Eagles 30-24 on Monday night.
It was a crushing loss for Michael Vick and the Eagles (3-5), who blew a fourth-quarter lead for the fourth time this season. Jeremy Maclin fell down and was tackled at the Bears 30 after a 9-yard catch on fourth-and-10 with just under two minutes left.
The defending NFC East champions trail the New York Giants (6-2) by three games.
Chicago (5-3) won its third straight game, but remains third in the NFC North behind Green Bay (8-0) and Detroit (6-2).
After LeSean McCoy’s 33-yard touchdown run following Forte’s second fumble gave the Eagles a 24-17 lead in the third quarter, the Bears answered with 13 straight points.
Robbie Gould kicked a 38-yard field goal to cut it to 24-20, and then Chicago’s defense forced a punt after three plays.
The Bears drove 51 yards for the go-ahead score with Cutler tossing a 5-yard TD pass to Bennett over Asante Samuel for a 27-24 lead.
The Eagles reached the Bears 42 on their next drive. On fourth-and-6, punter Chas Henry bounced a pass to a wide-open Colt Anderson and Chicago took over.
Henry spent a lot of time throwing passes to long snapper Jon Dorenbos on the sideline in the second quarter, presumably warming up for the fake punt. He got his chance and badly underthrew the pass.
The Bears took advantage. A pass interference penalty on Nnamdi Asomugha at the Eagles’ seven prolonged the drive.
