Miller’s 1-handed TD grab lifts Bears over Chargers, 22-19

After the ensuing 2-point conversion, the Bears were on top 22-19.

The Chargers lost, 22-19, giving them their seventh loss of the season and sixth within a one-score margin. He also lost a fumble and was intercepted once. His main target was Alshon Jeffery, who didn’t get into the end zone but snagged 10 passes for 151 yards.

The defense then stopped the Chargers, with Lamarr Houston sacking Philip Rivers twice after San Diego advanced past midfield with two minutes left.

Once San Diego kicked a field goal at the end of the half, 16-7 simultaneously felt like an insurmountable gap and, hey, wait, this is the Chargers, a comeback should be possible.

Tight end Antonio Gates appeared to have what may have been the dagger touchdown, but his catch was wiped out by an ineligible downfield receiver penalty on right guard D.J. Fluker. The third quarter was scoreless, but Chicago started things out right in the fourth with a 1-yard Jeremy Langford run to cap an impressive drive.

Cutler became the Bears’ all-time leader in passing touchdowns with 139 in Chicago.

What Happened: This was mainly a tale of two halves, with the first belonging to the Chargers.

In what game has Robbie Gould ever cost the Bears as many points as Cutler? Stevie Johnson spiked the ball after being tripped up by Bryce Callahan at the 4 and was flagged for delay of game.

Cornerback Jason Verrett suffered a groin injury, not too long after he’d returned an interception 68 yards for a touchdown. They held the Chargers to three second-half points.

When he snagged that throw from Cutler it was his first touchdown in the National Football League since October 2, 2011 when he scored as a member of the Jaguars against the Saints at EverBank Field. Down three points in the fourth quarter, Rivers hit Javontee Herndon for a first down at the two-minute warning. The players don’t love him, the media doesn’t love him, and the Chargers won’t be bringing him back for next season.

But then there’s this: Cutler not only directed a 15-play, 93-yard TD drive, which included a second-and-20, but he was 3-for-3 for 29 yards on third down.

Rivers found Woodhead for a 14-yard scoring pass and a 7-0 lead. Chargers ILB Manti Te’o (ankle) missed his fourth consecutive game…. Chargers DT Corey Liuget (foot) wasn’t able to play after getting hurt last week….

GIANTS: Defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins, who has been a cornerstone of the defensive front for the last two years, will be placed on injured reserve this week after suffering a torn pectoral tendon that requires surgery. If the Bears feel that they can get this sort of performance from Langford on a regular basis, they might be more willing to let Forte exit this off-season.

That he did it without his Pro Bowl running back, No. 2 receiver Eddie Royal and behind a makeshift offensive line adds to what is becoming a growing legend of the “New Jay”. He is a former Charger….