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SAN DIEGO -- The Chicago Bears almost waited until it was too late. "You have to play your best in the fourth quarter, and that's what coach (John) Fox has talked about," Bears quarterback Jay Cutler said. "It's good that it happened today, but we have to continue it."
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Trailing by nine points after three quarters, Chicago rallied to beat the San Diego Chargers 22-19 Monday night.
The Bears (3-5) handed San Diego (2-7) a fifth consecutive loss.
The Chargers' skid is their longest since they dropped six in a row in 2011.
Cutler hit tight end Zach Miller for a game-deciding, 25-yard touchdown with 3:19 remaining. Running back Jeremy Langford rushed over for the two-point conversion and a 22-19 advantage, the Bears' first lead of the night.
Miller's one-handed catch over the middle helped the Bears snap a two-game losing streak.
"Jay made a great throw, and I was able to go up and get it," Miller said. "After that, I went unconscious. It was one of those things where instincts kind of take over. I really didn't have time to go up with two (hands) because he put some juice on it. I went with one and thankfully pulled it down."
Culter completed 27 of 40 passes for 345 yards and two touchdowns. He also lost a fumble and was intercepted once. Bears receiver Alshon Jeffery caught 10 passes for 151 yards, but it was the pass to Miller that was the difference.
"The safety flew over the top, and it was just a matter of waiting for Zach to get past the linebacker," Cutler said. "I left it high on him, and he made a heck of a catch. It couldn't have happened to a better guy. For him to come up with a catch, it was something special."
Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers was 26-for-42 passes for 280 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. It was the first time he didn't throw for at least 300 yards in six games.
San Diego running back Danny Woodhead produced 111 total yards and a touchdown.
What we learned about the Bears:
1. The Bears were coming off a disappointing loss to the Vikings, a game they squandered in the fourth quarter. They learned from that defeat, and it helped them forge ahead late to steal a win from the Chargers on Monday night. Quarterback Jay Cutler didn't panic, and that was the difference. "Jay rebounded," coach John Fox said. "Obviously, it didn't go in the first half quite like we wanted. I think it says a lot about the guy when he responded in the second half."
2. When Cutler wants to zing it, he still can. While others moan about his up-and-down play, Cutler isn't afraid to find small windows if need be. Cutler put the ball just where tight end Zach Miller could catch it on the go-ahead touchdown late in the game. "It's one of those things where you see it coming and it's coming so fast that I couldn't get two hands up," Miller said. "I had to go with one, and thank God I was able to pluck it."
3. Fox has Chargers coach Mike McCoy's number. The two were on the two staffs together, in Carolina and Denver. Fox was the head coach at both stops, with McCoy his offensive mind. Since the two have become head coaches, however, Fox has schooled McCoy. With Monday's win, Fox is now 5-1 when facing McCoy.
Etc.
--RB Jeremy Langford, a rookie, was the focal point of the Bears' running game when Matt Forte (knee) unable to go. Langford had a solid game, rushing for 72 yards on 18 carries. He added three catches for 70 yards, with a long of 31 yards.
--ILB Jonathan Anderson is listed as the third-string player at his position, but he sure didn't play like it Monday. Anderson had a team-high 12 tackles, and 11 of them were solo. Injuries put him in line for more playing time, and he is not wasting the opportunity.
--QB Jay Cutler, with his second-quarter scoring pass to TE Martellus Bennett, eclipsed Sid Luckman to become the Bears' all-time leader in touchdown passes at 138. Cutler did it in 89 games, compared to Luckman's 128. Cutler added another scoring pass in the fourth quarter, lifting the Bears to a comeback win over the Chargers.
