CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Third-string rookie running back Brock Forsey helped take the pressure off Kordell Stewart.
Forsey rushed for 134 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries in his second career start as the Chicago Bears defeated the Arizona Cardinals, 28-3, to keep alive their slim playoff hopes.
The former Boise State star, who scored 32 touchdowns with the Broncos last season - the second-highest total in NCAA history - was forced into service due to Adrian Peterson's ankle injury.
"I was able to get in there and get some consecutive carries and get in a rhythm," Forsey said. "That way you can read the field better and the O-line was making some holes for me."
"He's a pretty hard-nosed guy," Bears coach Dick Jauron added. "He was patient and when he sees it, he gets to the hole quickly and he gets north and south quickly."
Stewart, who was back in as the Bears' starter with Chris Chandler sidelined, completed 22-of-37 passes for 284 yards and two touchdowns and also rushed for a score for Chicago (5-7), which broke it open with three scores in the fourth quarter.
Stewart began the season as the Bears' starter but was replaced by the 38-year-old Chandler after throwing seven interceptions in the first five games. He got back his job after Chandler went down with a shoulder injury in the first half of last week's game against Denver.
Stewart played well in the second half against the Broncos and continued to produce against the Cardinals. Facing the team he turned down in the offseason, Stewart threw a two-yard TD pass to Marty Booker in the first quarter and a 10-yard scoring strike to Dez White early in the fourth quarter. He also scored on an eight-yard keeper with just under eight minutes left to make it 21-3.
"That's what we want from Kordell Stewart," Jauron added. "He will hurt you with the run at critical times, not planned runs, but he comes out of the pocket and you're in trouble."
Arizona (3-9) dropped to 0-6 on the road, managing only a 32-yard field goal by Neil Rackers late in the first period. Jeff Blake completed 20-of-32 passes for 163 yards with two interceptions for the Cardinals.
"We cannot stop Forsey," Cardinals coach Dave McGinnis said. "They had a young running back come in with their starter out and have a career day."
Defense set up two of the Bears' three scores in the fourth quarter as cornerback R.W. McQuarters returned an interception 29 yards to the Cardinals 12-yard line and safety Mike Brown recovered a fumble at the Arizona 34.
Chicago has won four of its last six games after dropping five of its first six, and an improved defense has been a big reason for the resurgence. After allowing 179 points in their first six games, the Bears have surrendered just 71 in the last six.
