John Fox: Kyle Fuller’s performance the best by Bears CB in 3 years

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Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass.

Kyle Fuller made himself a lot of money Sunday.

Or, rather, continued to.

The Bears cornerback shut down Browns receiver Josh Gordon, intercepted a DeShone Kizer throw in the end zone and defended six passes in the 20-3 victory. According to Pro Football Focus, Fuller was targeted nine times and didn’t allow a catch.

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“It’s as good a game by a corner, honestly, since I’ve been here,” coach John Fox said.

Teams will remember the performance when Fuller becomes a free agent this offseason.

“I feel like I’ve been doing that just throughout the year,” Fuller said. “Trying to get better, do it consistently, week in and week out.”

Fuller ran the out-and-up route better than Gordon did. With about two minutes left in the first half, Kizer looked right, pump-faked and went deep. Fuller caught it in the end zone with no challenge from Gordon, who played despite being under the weather.

“That definitely worked out perfect,” Fuller said.

He said he knew the Browns’ tendencies in that part of the field — they had the ball at the 28-yard line — as well as Kizer’s propensity to take risks. Fox said that was a product of Fuller’s film study. The Bears chart minutes spent watching tape on iPads, and Fuller has been atop the list all year.

“He had a good understanding of his matchup,” Fox said. “You only do that with a lot of preparation. Real pros do that.”

Kings of the North

The Bears will finish the season 4-0 against the AFC North.

They’ve won only three games within their own division, the NFC North, in Fox’s three seasons.

“It’s a hard one — I wish we could figure that out with every division, including ours,” Fox said. “There is some unfamiliar … area as far as the opponents … but again, I think it’s just preparation and being able to execute.”

This and that

Tight end Zach Miller watched part of the game from the Soldier Field sideline and went to the locker room afterward in his first trip to the stadium since dislocating his left knee in New Orleans on Oct. 29. Miller said earlier this week he was building up strength in the knee in preparation for another surgery.

• Right tackle Bobby Massie injured his right knee on Jordan Howard’s one-yard touchdown run and missed one drive in the first half. He returned but left once the game was in hand. Fox said that the injury was slight and that Massie likely would have been able to return if needed. Massie hadn’t missed a snap all year.

• Cameron Lee, an undrafted rookie from Illinois State, played left guard when Massie left, moving Bradley Sowell to right guard.

Sowell said switching sides was challenging.

“You gotta do what you gotta do,” he said. “What are you going to do? There’s no one else there. You just go out there, play it, have a good attitude and do what you can do.”

Follow me on Twitter @patrickfinley.

Email: pfinley@suntimes.com

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