• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Orton, Bears eyeing third straight win vs. Falcons

Oct 7, 2008 - 2:45 PM Chicago (3-2) at Atlanta (3-2), 1:00 pm EDT

ATLANTA (Ticker) -- Kyle Orton will not be confused with the NFL's elite quarterbacks. But he has the Chicago Bears in first place of the NFC North.

Orton looks to lead the Bears to their third consecutive victory Sunday when they visit the Atlanta Falcons.

With a reputation as a game manager, Orton was more of a gunslinger last Sunday. He threw for a career-high 334 yards and a pair of touchdowns as Chicago used another dominant defensive performance to rout Detroit, 34-7.

The 25-year-old Orton, who was named the starter during the preseason after beating out Rex Grossman, completed 24-of-34 passes and totaled over 300 yards for the first time in his career.

"We were certainly in a good rhythm there for the middle part of the game," Orton said. "We had them on their heels and we kept at it. It was a big win - division game."

Despite Orton's excellent performance, the Bears still are led by their defense. Chicago held the Lions to 229 yards of total offense and forced a pair of turnovers, including a 26-yard interception return for a touchdown by Charles Tillman.

"Defensively from the start on the first drive, shutting them down (and) making them punt, really kind of got it started for the day," Bears coach Lovie Smith said. "The defensive line put good pressure on the quarterbacks. They shut down their run. It was the best we played as a team right now."

The Falcons also have been surprisingly good behind a rushed attack led by free-agent acquisition Michael Turner.

Turner posted his third 100-yard game of the season as Atlanta held on for a 27-24 triumph over the Green Bay Packers last Sunday. He finished with 110 yards and one score on 23 carries.

"Wins are tough to come by in this league, especially on the road," Falcons coach Mike Smith said.

The Falcons are looking to remain unbeaten at home this season.