Bears pound Falcons in opener

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Arkansas-SEMO Live Blog

CHICAGO - Brian Urlacher had an interception and returned a fumble for a touchdown, Jay Cutler threw for 312 yards and two scores and the Chicago Bears pounded Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons 30-12 on Sunday.

In a matchup between reigning division champions, it was no contest. This one clearly belonged to Chicago.

Urlacher picked off Ryan to set up an early 56-yard touchdown catch by Matt Forte, and in the third quarter the linebacker picked up a fumble by Ryan and scored from 12 yards to make it 30-6.

That came on one of two sacks by Julius Peppers. Henry Melton also had two sacks and the Bears got to Ryan five times in all.

Cutler completed 22 of 32 passes in his first game at Soldier Field since the Bears' loss to Green Bay in the NFC title game.

Ryan completed 31 of 47 passes for 319 yards.