NFL

• Bears rally again on the road

  
  

  By Michael Rushton, NFL Contributing Editor

  (Sports Network) - Winning on the road hasn't been a big problem for the Chicago Bears this year. Heck, even rallying from behind to do it hasn't been that difficult.

  Only something was different this time in the team's 17-6 victory over the Oakland Raiders this past Sunday at McAfee Coliseum. Instead of Brian Griese being under center, the quarterback who has engineered two straight road comebacks for Chicago, it was the cast-aside Rex Grossman.

  That didn't affect the outcome, though.

  For a third straight road game, the Bears scored late and held on to win. With the Bears down 6-3 late in the fourth quarter, Grossman hit a streaking Bernard Berrian down the left side for a 59-yard touchdown that put Chicago in front.

  "It was a matchup we were looking for all game," said Grossman of the touchdown pass. "We called several plays to get something like that, and they'd (the Raiders) be in a different coverage that would take it away. Finally the play matched up with the coverage and we executed perfectly."

  A Cedric Benson touchdown run later in the frame locked up the victory for the Bears, who improved to 4-5 on the season but have also won three of five as the visitor.

  "Of course you feel good for him," said Bears head coach Lovie Smith of Grossman. "You hate that he went in under those circumstances, with Brian going down with injury. You don't like that, but it's good to see Rex get some reps. And it's good to see him come in and do some good things and have some success."

  Griese was forced out of the game late in the first half due to a shoulder injury, paving the way for Grossman to return under center. The former first- round pick hadn't seen action since a Week 3 loss to Dallas, but guided the Bears to the win behind 142 passing yards.

  Most importantly for Grossman was the fact that he didn't turn the ball over. He had six interceptions in three games prior to Sunday.

  "It's a great feeling to come in and pull one out," said Grossman. "It was a tough game and just coming off the bench, being able to help your team win is a great feeling."

  Chicago still has its work cut out for itself. The club is in third place in the NFC North behind 6-3 Detroit and front-running Green Bay (8-1).

  BEARS TO WAIT ON QB DECISION

  After replacing Grossman under center earlier in the season, Griese guided the Bears to a pair of road comebacks in Philadelphia and Green Bay. However, he might not get the chance to do it again this Sunday.

  Smith said on Monday that Griese suffered a sprained left shoulder and added he doesn't know if either Grossman or Griese will start this Sunday. He also said he might not make that decision until Sunday.

  The first step for Griese is to first get healthy, though. He needs to be medically cleared before he can practice after getting driven into the ground in the second quarter. He was carted to the locker room from the sideline.

  Those in the front office might consider this injury a blessing in disguise. It allows the team to get one last look at Grossman. If the 27-year-old signal-caller struggles in replacing Griese, it will certainly spell the end of his time in Chicago.

  Still, if Grossman gets a start this Sunday, his fate is in his own hands.

  "It's just one of those things you hope comes around, but you don't hope it's an injury," Grossman said of Griese. "You just want to get back in there. And once I was back in there, it took a while to feel the flow of the game and get into the rhythm of the game, but to be able to help your team win in a situation like (Sunday) is indescribable."

  DEFENSE COMES THROUGH

  The Chicago defense finally started to show signs of its once-dominating self on Sunday.

  The Bears posted four sacks, picked off a pass, forced and recovered two fumbles and held the Raiders to 193 net yards, including just 80 through the air.

  Smith said the team's bye week prior to the game had something to do with that performance.

  "Defensively, we had an excellent week of practice," said Smith. "I thought we had corrected some things and it was good to see it out on the football field (Sunday)."

  Things didn't get off on the right foot for the Bears, as the defensive unit allowed Oakland quarterback Josh McCown to run for 24 yards on the Raiders' first offensive play. That drive ended with a field goal. However, Oakland's offense did little after that.

  Defensive end Adewale Ogunleye led the way with a career-high tying three sacks and posted two more quarterback hits for the Bears. Ogunleye also forced a fumble which was recovered by Israel Idonije and set up Benson's touchdown run.

  "After we let the quarterback have that first lone run, from there the guys really settled down, played hard and did all the things we expect our defense to do," said Smith.

  Lance Briggs had the other sack for Chicago, while safety Danieal Manning had an interception. That was a good sign for the defense, which has had trouble forcing turnovers this season.

  "We talked a lot about winning the turnover ratio, and that's kind of been the story of each one of our games," said Smith, "So it was big today to finally win the turnover ratio."

  INJURY UPDATE: NO VASHER

  The Bears are close to getting completely healthy. Players who have been ailing all season, guys like Briggs, Brian Urlacher, Tommie Harris and Charles Tillman, were all on the field against Oakland.

  However, corner Nathan Vasher missed his sixth consecutive game because of a groin injury, while safety Brandon McGowan missed the contest with an elbow ailment.

  Besides Griese, no other Bears player suffered a serious injury versus the Raiders.

  NEXT UP: WINNING IN SEATTLE

  The Bears stay on the road to battle the Seattle Seahawks this Sunday at Qwest Field. Seattle comes in on a short week after shutting out the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night.

  The Bears have won two in a row over Seattle including the playoffs, though they are just 4-6 against the Seahawks all-time. Chicago did defeat the Seahawks, 37-6, at home last season, with Grossman throwing a pair of touchdown passes and the defense coming up with five sacks.

  The Bears then posted a thrilling 27-24 overtime win over the Seahawks in last year's NFC Divisional Playoff round. Chicago kicker Robbie Gould hit a field goal to tie things in the fourth quarter before booting the game-winner in overtime. Grossman, Berrian and current New York Jets running back Thomas Jones all had big days.

  11/13 17:39:33 ET