CHICAGO -- You can chalk it up to just another Jay Cutler mistake against the Green Bay Packers, but that just might underrate the importance of Clay Matthews as an inside linebacker.

With Matthews in coverage more often than he rushed in Sunday's 31-23 win at Soldier Field, his fourth-quarter interception killed any chance of a Chicago Bears comeback.

The Packers have picked off Cutler at least once every time he has started against them since he joined the Bears in 2009, and it was his 22nd interception against the Packers in 12 career regular-season games.

Matthews may still prefer to impact games as a pass-rusher, but plays like that show why the Packers need him in the middle, too.

Like he had been a middle linebacker his entire career, Matthews dropped into coverage against tight end Martellus Bennett, who never had a chance at Cutler's pass that Matthews tracked the entire way. When asked what his responsibility was on that play, Matthews, while trying to keep a straight face, said: "Get an interception. Drop into coverage. Make a pick. Be the hero."

It doesn't appear Matthews will return to his old role as an outside linebacker any time soon, especially after fellow inside linebacker Sam Barrington dropped out of Sunday's game because of an ankle injury and was replaced by the inexperienced Nate Palmer.

Matthews may not have helped the Packers' run defense, which was the impetus for his move inside last season, given that Matt Forte rushed for 141 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries, but he made up for it just when the Packers needed it most. The Bears were well inside Packers' territory, at their 29-yard line, when Matthews picked off Cutler.

"I thought that play changed the game," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said.