CHICAGO (AP) — Jay Cutler threw three touchdown passes, Matt Forte ran for 113 yards and the Chicago Bears closed in on a first-round bye, beating the playoff-bound New York Jets 38-34 on Sunday.
The Jets (10-5) lost for third time in four games, but clinched their second straight postseason trip under coach Rex Ryan when Jacksonville lost 20-17 in overtime to Washington.
The win was the seventh in eight games for the Bears (11-4), who blew an early 10-point lead and regrouped in the second half after being picked apart by Mark Sanchez early. Now, they're in good position to lock up that bye, a scenario that seemed unlikely at best when they stumbled into their bye-week break.
Cutler completed 13 of 25 passes for 215 yards, with Johnny Knox catching four for 92 with two touchdowns.
Sanchez was intercepted by Chris Harris with about a minute left, ending the Jets' comeback bid.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
