Cutler’s five INTs give 49ers 10-6 win over Bears
Friday, November 13, 2009 11:15 AM PST
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — As soon as Jay Cutler’s fifth interception landed in Michael Lewis’ hands and the clock ran out, Mike Singletary embraced his assistants with a huge sense of a relief.
It wasn’t about beating his old Chicago Bears team. Samurai Mike was just thankful to get a victory of any kind after four straight losses by his San Francisco 49ers.
Frank Gore ran for 104 yards and a touchdown and the 49ers took advantage of another horrific day by Cutler to snap their losing streak with a 10-6 victory over the Bears on Thursday night.
Singletary had a Hall of Fame career during his 12 years in Chicago, winning two Defensive Player of the Year awards, being selected to 10 Pro Bowls and winning the Super Bowl following the 1985 season.
He said it was an ‘‘overwhelming feeling’’ when he first faced the Bears as an assistant in 2005. But he said this time the Bears were ‘‘just another team on the schedule.’’
Both teams badly needed this game, with the Niners (4-5) coming in on their skid and the Bears (4-5) now having lost four of five.
Chicago had many chances to reverse the slide but Cutler threw all five of his interceptions in 49ers territory. He threw one at the goal line to end a scoring threat in the second quarter, one that set up Gore’s 14-yard touchdown run later in the second, added another early in the third and early in the fourth before the final one ended the comeback attempt after the Bears had moved down the field in the final 3 minutes.
‘‘It was tough. I have to apologize to the defense,’’ Cutler said.
Even though Cutler has thrown an NFL-worst 17 interceptions this season, his teammates still have confidence in their quarterback.
The 49ers offense didn’t do much, gaining just 216 yards and matching a season low with 10 points. But the defense made sure that was enough. The victory snapped a seven-start losing streak for Niners quarterback Alex Smith.
