CHICAGO -- The Chicago Bears attempted to convert three fourth downs Sunday during their 21-13 win against the Minnesota Vikings, but desperation brought about from the team's recent struggles had nothing to do with it, according to Marc Trestman.
"I would say today had no considerations based on previous situations," Trestman said. "We did what we had to do to try to stay on the field and score."
The Bears successfully converted two of their three fourth-down conversions, but missed on their first attempt from the Minnesota 1 in the third quarter. On Chicago's first drive to open the second half, the Bears marched from their own 17 to the Vikings 1 in 11 plays.
On fourth-and-1, Cutler sprinted around left end, lowering his shoulders near the pylon to try to punch it in for the touchdown. But Tom Johnson stuffed Cutler for no gain on the play.
"When we snapped it, I felt good about it," Cutler said. "We were two-on-one out there with [Jermon Bushrod], so they made a good play."
The club's next two fourth-down conversion attempts came in the fourth quarter, with both taking place on the same drive. Matt Forte converted both fourth-down attempts on a possession ending with Cutler's 4-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Marshall, which made the score 21-10 after the extra-point kick.
"The intent was to make a first down," Trestman said of the club's fourth-down attempts. "The results were good. We didn't get the one on the goal line, which is unfortunate because we had the ball all the way down the field. But we did what we had to do to win the game."
