Cutler's Three TD Passes Lead Bears Past Cowboys 27-20
By JAIME ARON,
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Jay Cutler can't lose. Tony Romo can't win.
What a surprise for both the Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys.
Cutler threw three touchdown passes and Romo wasn't able to respond, lifting the Chicago Bears to a 27-20 victory Sunday.
The Bears come away 2-0 for the first time since their Super Bowl season in 2006.
Dallas fell to 0-2 for the first time since 2001, when Quincy Carter took over for the retired Troy Aikman at quarterback. Cowboys loyalists will remember the 1993 season starting 0-2 and ending with a Super Bowl championship, but that club got Emmitt Smith back from a contract holdout to start its rally. This club can only look forward to tumult as owner Jerry Jones isn't likely to tolerate such a sloppy start to a season he expected to end in the Super Bowl at Cowboys Stadium.
Led by linebackers DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer, the Cowboys came out ready to take control with their defense. Cutler went to the sideline after his third drive screaming, "Can't we block anybody?" Offensive coordinator Mike Martz did, with Cutler throwing for touchdowns on his next two drives. The Bears were up 20-14 at halftime and never trailed again.
Dallas wasted chance after chance.
Romo got to the 10 on the opening drive of the second half, but had to settle for a field goal. Midway through the fourth quarter, another drive ended with a field goal try that would've tied it at 20, but David Buehler badly missed to the left from 44 yards.
Cutler answered with his third touchdown pass, then Romo quickly got the Cowboys moving again only to see Roy Williams fumble fighting for yards after a catch.
Buehler ended up hitting a 48-yarder with 1:17 left, but the Bears caught his onside kick and drained the clock.
More bad news for Dallas: Tight end Jason Witten left midway through the fourth, perhaps with a concussion, and Pro Bowl cornerback Mike Jenkins appeared to have hurt his right knee soon after.
Cutler was 21 of 29 for 277 yards. He ended up getting sacked only once, despite losing left tackle Chris Williams to a hamstring injury in the first quarter. His touchdowns went to Greg Olsen, Devin Hester and Matt Forte. He also had a 59-yarder to Johnny Knox that set up Hester's score.
Romo was 34 of 51 for 374 yards and a touchdown. He had two interceptions, both bouncing off usually sure-handed receivers.
Dallas also got a 62-yard punt return for a touchdown from rookie Dez Bryant.
Updated September 19, 2010
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