CHICAGO – The defense generated five takeaways and scored a touchdown in Sunday’s 30-6 win over the Browns. But the first thing that coach Lovie Smith mentioned in his post-game press conference was the stellar performance by Chicago’s special teams unit.

The Bears neutralized the Browns’ Joshua Cribbs, who entered the game leading the NFL in punt returns with a 16.4-yard average and ranked fourth in kickoff returns with a 28.9-yard average.

Danieal Manning (38) and Rashied Davis team up to tackle Joshua Cribbs in Sunday's 30-6 win over the Browns.

Cribbs averaged just 22.8 yards on six kickoff returns with a long of 25 yards, and he was prevented from returning any of Brad Maynard’s five punts. Cribbs called one fair catch and watched three punts sail out of bounds and one get downed at the 1-yard line.

Cribbs entered the contest having scored touchdowns on a 67-yard punt return and a 98-yard kickoff return this season.

“Going into the game we knew they had a great returner,” Smith said. “I thought our coverage units on the special teams did a great job of holding down a great player in Joshua Cribbs throughout the day. We wanted to slow him down a little bit, but never thought we would be able to shut him out like that.”

Cleveland started possessions following kickoffs at its own 20, 23, 26, 26, 15, 29 and 11.

“That was huge,” said special-teams contributor Garrett Wolfe. “That was something that was stressed all week. Coach [Dave] Toub had his hat off to Cribbs. He’s a great returner. He’s been able to do a lot in the special teams game this year. It was definitely a major concern of ours, but we’re very excited about the way we were able to [contain] him.”

Playing takeaway: The Bears produced five takeaways for the first time since Oct. 18, 2008 in a 48-41 win over the Vikings at Soldier Field. Prior to Sunday, the Bears had generated eight takeaways in their first six games this season with no more than two in any one contest.

“I don’t know if there was more of a focus,” said linebacker Nick Roach, who forced two fumbles Sunday. “It’s just that takeaways are one of those things where they come in bunches. At some point, if you keep trying they’ll start coming out.”

Under pressure: Jay Cutler was battered by the Browns’ 32nd-ranked defense, which was credited with four sacks and seven quarterback hits. Linebacker Kamerion Wimbley drew a 15-yard roughing-the-passer penalty for drilling Cutler in the chin with his helmet late in the first half. The Bears quarterback said that the hit caused him to bite his tongue, which didn’t stop bleeding until the fourth quarter.

Cutler was later flattened by 6-4, 350-pound defensive tackle Shaun Rogers while completing a 31-yard pass to Johnny Knox, which set up Matt Forte’s 10-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter.

Asked if he was hit more Sunday than in any previous game, Cutler said: “I will have to go back and look at the film and see exactly what happened. Shaun Rogers is a big guy, so every time he hits you that counts as two.”

Old buddies: Cutler jawed with Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan after the Bears were stopped on four plays after reaching Cleveland’s 2-yard line midway through the fourth quarter.

Ryan, the son of former Bears defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan, faced Cutler twice a season the previous two years when Ryan was the Raiders' defensive coordinator and Cutler played for the Broncos.

“I love Rob Ryan,” Cutler said after the game. “I think that he’s always liked and respected me. I think he’s a great coach. You can just see the energy he brings on the sideline for those guys.

“I’ve always enjoyed playing against him. I’ve always enjoyed competing against him. I think he’s one of the best in football. It’s fun. He brings an energy level and fun level to football that not all defensive guys do. So I’ve always enjoyed going against the guy.”

Asked what was said between the two, Cutler said: “It was angry. It was competitive. Like I said, he brings a lot of energy. After the game I talked to him. He’s a great guy and he’s a great coach.”