 Bears edge Saints in overtime
(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-12-13 08:09  CHICAGO: Robbie Gould kicked the tying field goal with two seconds remaining in regulation and booted the winner 2:41 into overtime to give Chicago a 27-24 National Football League victory on Thursday over New Orleans. The Bears improved to 8-6, one-half game behind Minnesota in the NFC North division, while the Saints fell to 7-7, one and one-half games out of the final playoff berth with two games remaining. Kyle Orton, who ran for a touchdown, marched Chicago 60 yards in 13 plays to set up Gould's 28-yard equalizer at the end of the fourth quarter and the Bears were helped by a 38-yard penalty against safety Roman Harper on Devin Hester in the opening over-time march to set up the 35-yard game winner. "Our defense played great and we made just enough plays on offense to win the game," Orton said. Chicago's Danieal Manning returned the opening kickoff 83 yards for a touchdown to give the Bears the lead, but Drew Brees hit a two-yard touchdown pass to Pierre Thomas to equalize in the second quarter. Rookie Matt Forte capped a 41-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run and Orton's six-yard touchdown run boosted the Bears ahead 21-7 before the Saints surged in the third quarter. Thomas scored on a 42-yard run in the third quarter, Garrett Hartley added a 30-yard field goal in the fourth quarter and Brees connected with Marques Colston on an 11-yard touchdown toss to give the Saints a 24-21 edge, setting up Gould's late heroics. AFP (China Daily 12/13/2008 page12) |
