SportsDirect Inc. staff
Oct 28, 2012
Bears 23, Panthers 22: Robbie Gould made a 41-yard field goal as time expired to cap Chicago's rally from a 12-point fourth-quarter deficit and beat visiting Carolina for its fifth straight victory.
Carolina (1-6) led 19-7 after three quarters, its lone touchdown coming when Louis Murphy recovered Cam Newton's fumble in the end zone. The Bears (6-1) rallied quickly, as Jay Cutler hit Kellen Davis in the back of the end zone for a 12-yard score and Tim Jennings took advantage of receiver Steve Smith's slip on the next play from scrimmage to pick off Newton's pass and race 25 yards untouched.
Justin Medlock's career-long 45-yard field goal - his fifth of the day - deflected off the right upright and through to give Carolina a 22-20 lead with 2:27 left, but Cutler led the Bears down the field quickly to set up Gould's winning kick.
Cutler was sacked six times in the first half and the Bears committed three turnovers before the break but Chicago did not have a giveaway or allow a sack in the second half. Cutler finished 19-of-28 for 186 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
Medlock was 3-for-4 in his career and 2-for-2 this season with a career-long of 32 yards but he was excellent in windy conditions, connecting from 22, 31, 34, 43 and 45 yards.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Newton was 20-of-39 for 314 yards but threw two interceptions and no touchdowns. He has five career 300-yard games. กญ Jennings' interception return touchdown was the Bears' sixth of the season, a franchise record. กญ Panthers DE Greg Hardy recorded a career-high three sacks and DE Charles Johnson notched his second multi-sack game of the season.