PRO FOOTBALL : Two Bears Come Out of Hibernation, Help Beat Packers, 23-10

Todd Bell and Al Harris missed out on the Chicago Bears’ run to the Super Bowl two years ago, so they’re trying to make up for it this time.

Bell and Harris, who sat out the 1985 season in contract disputes, each blocked field goal attempts Sunday as the Bears downed the Green Bay Packers, 23-10.

“It’s a factor, but I’m not all bent out of shape about it,” Harris said of his lost 1985 season. “It feels good to be back and make a contribution.”

Harris, filling in for injured defensive end Dan Hampton, had four tackles, a sack and knocked down a pass in the end zone.

Bell, who earlier in the season took the strong safety job from Gary Fencik, had six tackles, two assists and a deflected pass. Bell, an All-Pro in 1984, has had problems recently and went to Coach Mike Ditka to discuss the situation.

“He told me, ‘Regardless of what you do, do it with your ears bent back’ and I let it all out,” Bell said.

The Bears (9-2) go to Minnesota next Sunday with a two-game lead over the Vikings. Had they lost to Green Bay, the lead would have been cut to one game since Minnesota defeated Dallas on Thursday.

Ditka was pleased with the way the team responded against the Packers (4-6-1).

“We’re jockeying for position,” Ditka said. “We’re not where we want to be but we’re getting close.”

Neal Anderson scored the Bears’ first touchdown on a 20-yard pass from Jim McMahon and Thomas Sanders bolted seven yards for a touchdown in the fourth period.

Kevin Butler, whose last-play field goal defeated Green Bay, 26-24, three weeks ago, kicked field goals of 21, 27 and 52 yards.

“It was going to take something special to beat the Bears today,” Green Bay Coach Forrest Gregg said. “We just didn’t have that special spark that we’ve had the past few weeks.”

The Packers scored on their first possession when Randy Wright and Walter Stanley combined on a 66-yard pass play to the Chicago three-yard line. Three plays later, Brent Fullwood scored from the one-yard line for a 7-0 lead.

It was 10-10 at halftime. In the second half, Bell’s blocked punt set up a Butler field goal and Maurice Douglass’ interception set up Sanders’ score.