CHICAGO — Jay Cutler threw for 252 yards and a touchdown after missing five games because of a thumb injury, rookie Jordan Howard ran for a career-high 153 yards and a TD, and the Chicago Bears stunned the Minnesota Vikings 20-10 on Monday night.

The Bears (2-6) sacked Sam Bradford five times while handing the NFC North-leading Vikings (5-2) their second straight loss.

Alshon Jeffery got his first touchdown reception of the season, and Chicago outgained Minnesota 403 yards to 258.

Cutler completed 20 of 31 passes, including an 11-yard touchdown to Jeffery early in the third quarter that made it 20-3.

Howard had a 69-yard run, the longest for Chicago in seven years, and scored on a 2-yard run in the second quarter.

NOTES

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TITANS: Andre Johnson called Coach Mike Mularkey, asking if they could talk Monday morning. After 14 NFL seasons, the man with more catches than anyone else currently playing had made up his mind that its time to retire.

“He said he’s been contemplating it for weeks and his heart was not in it,” Mularkey said. “This is a tough business to be in when your heart’s not in it.”

The 35-year-old receiver was nowhere to be found, apparently not ready to publicly discuss his decision. He did not release a statement through his agent or the team.

A seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, Johnson finishes his career among the best receivers in NFL history. He ranks ninth all-time with 1,062 catches and 10th with 14,185 yards receiving, and also had 70 touchdowns.

CHIEFS: The team defended its treatment of Alex Smith after he twice had his head slammed into the turf in Indianapolis, saying its quarterback passed concussion tests on the sideline and in the locker room after both of hits.

Chiefs trainer Rick Burkholder also said team physicians and an independent neurologist do not believe that Smith sustained a concussion.

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Still, he will be evaluated by another neurologist in Kansas City this week before a decision is made on whether he can play against Jacksonville on Sunday.

COWBOYS: Dak Prescott will start against Cleveland after the rookie quarterback looked like Tony Romo in rallying Dallas past Philadelphia in the fourth quarter and overtime Sunday night for his sixth straight win.

Team owner Jerry Jones said Romo won’t be ready Sunday at Cleveland as he works his way back into shape after breaking a bone in his back in the preseason. In Romo’s absence, Prescott has led Dallas to a 6-1 start.

“My opinion is that we would want him to have more strength and work done,” Jones said of Romo. “He’s really doing well, probably as well as anytime last year as far as aspects of strength in his back is concerned, but he’s got some more to do.”

CARDINALS: Coach Bruce Arians says the “fumble” ruling that resulted in Carolina’s first touchdown Sunday was not overturned because the NFL replay system had been shut down.

All touchdowns are reviewed, but after Carolina’s Thomas Davis picked up the ball and ran 46 yards for a score, the conversion kick came quickly and the call stood.

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Television replays showed that Carson Palmer shoved the ball forward in the direction of running back David Johnson.

Arians said he was told the replay official “did not have the proper feed for instant replay, so they shut it down” to fix it.

Arians said “it was confirmed” later that the play should have been ruled an incomplete pass.

The Cardinals went on to lose, 30-20.

 Arians says left tackle Jared Veldheer will be placed on injured reserve because of a torn triceps and safety/cornerback Tyrann Mathieu will be out three to six weeks because of a shoulder injury.


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