CHICAGO -- The Chicago Bears offensive line got on quarterback Jay Cutler’s good side on Sunday.

Following a loss to the Green Bay Packers when Cutler was sacked seven times, absorbed 12 hits and took his frustrations out on his offensive line, especially left tackle J’Marcus Webb, Cutler went as far as praising his line’s play in the 23-6 win over the St. Louis Rams on Sunday.

“The line played well,” Cutler said. “They had a little edge to them. You go into a game and you’re up in the third and fourth quarter and know you’re going to run the ball. Those guys came in when I needed it and opened up some holes. I thought the line played well.”

Cutler kept most of his offensive line comments to the general group afterward, but he did mention the play of left guard Chilo Rachal, who was making his first start this season.

“I think Chilo brings that edge to the offensive line, and he doesn’t take a lot of grief in there,” Cutler said. “He’s a big guy. He’s kind of a mauler and I feel comfortable with him in there.”

Rachal thought that sort of mentality was needed on the offensive line.

“It’s very important,” Rachal said. “We’re the nasties. We can’t expect the other positions to be nasty. As an offensive line, the team feeds off our energy. That’s just my style of play – play (ticked) off.”

Rachal also thought Webb came out with a purpose on Sunday after his recent difficulties.

“That’s my teammate, that’s my buddy on the left side,” Rachal said. “He comes to work and comes to play every day. Like I said, people make mistakes, you learn from them and you get back and fix them.”

The Rams got to Cutler occasionally on Sunday, but it was nowhere near the extent the Packers did. Cutler was sacked twice (both by defensive end Chris Long) and hurried six times by the Rams.

Bears coach Lovie Smith also believed the offensive line had improved.

“I thought we did some good things with the protection for the most part was pretty good,” Smith said. “Again, the line did a good job of opening up some holes.

“I was happy with the game. It’s pretty simple guys. When things don’t go well, we’re going to be really unhappy. But when you find the way as a football team to win the game, we are going to enjoy that first and then go back to the field and correct things.”