Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler has admitted that he felt under added pressure to play well on his return from injury during yesterday's match against the Cleveland Browns.
Cutler replaced the in-form Josh McCown in the lineup and got off to a shaky start when he threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown in the second quarter.
However, the 30-year-old recovered to throw three touchdowns of his own, guiding the Bears to a 38-31 win, and he has acknowledged the part that his teammates played in settling his nerves.
"The guys rallied around me. I'd be lying if I didn't say there was [pressure] with everything on the outside and as well as Josh has played. But this was the plan all along and no one really flinched in our building," Cutler told The AP.
The result keeps the Chicago Bears at the top of the NFC North, one win above the Detroit Lions, who face the Baltimore Ravens in their game in hand tonight.