Chicago Bears at Indianapolis Colts

Sunday, September 07, 2008

*Defense, Forte lead Bears over Colts*

INDIANAPOLIS (Ticker) -- The Chicago Bears' defense spoiled the Indianapolis Colts' first regular-season game at their new stadium.

Linebacker Lance Briggs returned a fumble for a touchdown and the Bears' defense also recorded a safety en route to a 29-13 victory over Colts on Sunday night at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Rookie Matt Forte rushed for 123 yards and a score in his first NFL game for Chicago (1-0), which held the high-powered Colts' offense to 293 yards.

"How about Matt Forte for his first time out?" Chicago coach Lovie Smith said. "We've seen flashes of that in training camp and the preseason, but it is good to see it out on the football field."

"I couldn't imagine my first game going any better," Forte said. "I just want to keep it going the rest of the season."

Coming off knee surgery this offseason, Peyton Manning passed for 257 yards, including a 6-yard TD strike to Reggie Wayne in the third quarter that cut Indianapolis' deficit to 15-13.

"Sickening is what it feels like," Manning said. "It's disappointing to lose a game; first game in a new stadium or 15th game of the season, it's really disappointing to lose."

The Colts' momentum did not last long. Wide receiver Marvin Harrison fumbled just over seven minutes later and Briggs scooped up the loose ball and rushed into the end zone, giving the Bears a 22-13 edge with 1:52 remaining in the third.

"(Cornerback Charles Tillman) made a great play and knocked the ball out, it hopped right up into my arms, and everybody rallied around the ball carrier," Briggs said. "Our gameplan was to be aggressive and get to the ball. We overcame our mistakes with our all-out effort."

"Offensively, we have to protect the ball better," Manning said. "You just can not turn the ball over in this league and win."

Chicago stopped Indianapolis (0-1) on a 4th-and-1 on its ensuing possession, and then padded the lead with 8:56 left in the game on Jason McKie's 1-yard TD run.

The Bears took a 7-3 lead with just under five minutes left in the opening quarter when Forte scored on a 50-yard rush. The former Tulane standout found a hole up the middle, made a quick cut to the right and dashed down the sideline untouched.

After the teams exchanged field goals in the second quarter, Adewale Ogunleye tackled Colts running back Joseph Addai just before he got out of the end zone for a safety with 3:59 remaining before the half.

Chicago took a 15-6 lead into the break.

"We wanted to establish the run on the offensive side of the ball and we were able to do that," Smith said. "Kyle Orton did a great job of making plays and directing our offense tonight."

Kyle Orton, who beat out Rex Grossman in the preseason for the Bears' starting quarterback job, completed 13-of-21 passes for 150 yards.

"It was big for us to convert some crucial third downs," Orton said. "They have a great defensive line and they cause problems with the passing game. Because we ran it so well, with stuck with the running game, and on the key third downs we threw the ball. The guys did a great job."