2006 Chicago Bears season
87th season in franchise history, 1st Super Bowl loss From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 2006 season was the Chicago Bears' 87th season in the National Football League, and the third under head coach Lovie Smith. The team improved on their 11–5 record from 2005 and finished with a 13–3 record; the best in the NFC. The Bears retained their NFC North divisional title, and won the NFC Championship against the New Orleans Saints on January 21, 2007. The Bears played the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLI, where they lost 29–17. The team finished the 2006 NFL season tied for second in points scored,[1] and third in points allowed.[2]
| 2006 Chicago Bears season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | The McCaskey Family |
| General manager | Jerry Angelo |
| Head coach | Lovie Smith |
| Home field | Soldier Field |
| Local radio | WBBM · WCFS · WLEY · WSCR |
| Results | |
| Record | 13–3 |
| Division place | 1st NFC North |
| Playoff finish | Won Divisional Playoffs (vs. Seahawks) 27–24 (OT) Won NFC Championship (vs. Saints) 39–14 Lost Super Bowl XLI (vs. Colts) 17–29 |
| Pro Bowlers | 8
|
| AP All-Pros | 6
|
Due to the NFL's scheduling formula the Bears played 6 intra-division games, posting a record of 5–1. Because of rotating cycle scheduling, the Bears matched up against all four teams in the AFC East (going 2–2) and NFC West (going 4–0). In the remaining games, the Bears played the NFC's other reigning division winners, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Giants, posting a record of 2–0. During the entire season, the Bears played 10 games at home, 8 games on the road, and 1 game at a neutral field for the Super Bowl. Including the playoffs and Super Bowl, the Bears finished with a record of 15–4.
Noteworthy football stories for the 2006 season were replacing retired cornerback and kick returner Jerry Azumah, the quarterback controversy between productive but inconsistent and potentially fragile Rex Grossman and veteran free agent Brian Griese, the record setting returns by Devin Hester, Bernard Berrian's breakout season, competition between the Bears' running backs (Cedric Benson and Thomas Jones), and 5th round draft pick Mark Anderson's 12 quarterback sacks as a rookie.[3][4][5]
Draft
| Round | Selection | Player | Position | College | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 42 | Danieal Manning | S | Abilene Christian | |
| 57 | Devin Hester | CB | Miami | ||
| 3 | 73 | Dusty Dvoracek | DT | Oklahoma | |
| 4 | 120 | Jamar Williams | LB | Arizona State | |
| 5 | 159 | Mark Anderson | DE | Alabama | |
| 6 | 195 | J.D. Runnels | FB | Oklahoma | |
| 200 | Tyler Reed | G | Penn State |
The Chicago Bears’ 2006 NFL draft picks drew much criticism from various Bears’ fans and local sports critics. After injuries plagued the Bears’ offensive depth chart, the team finished the 2005 NFL season ranked 31st in passing yardage per game. Many fans assumed that the Bears would draft a tight end or wide receiver to improve the offense. However, Jerry Angelo and Lovie Smith surprised the media by trading away the Bears’ first round draft pick, and drafting five defensive players.[6] Devin Hester was drafted to fill the void left by former cornerback Jerry Azumah and punt returner Bobby Wade, while Danieal Manning could provide additional depth to the Bears’ secondary while also being potentially available for punt and kick returns, as his highest prospect grade came in kick returning.[7] Additionally, Anderson and Dvoracek were drafted to add depth to the Bears’ defensive line.
Training camp
The preseason featured a brewing quarterback controversy when Rex Grossman struggled in his exhibition appearances and newly signed veteran back-up Brian Griese moved the second team offense freely.[8]
The competition for the starting running back position went to Thomas Jones by default after sophomore running back Cedric Benson missed every preseason game with a shoulder injury inflicted in practice by Brian Urlacher and Mike Brown.
Preseason
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | August 11 | San Francisco 49ers | L 14–28 | 0–1 | Monster Park | Recap |
| 2 | August 18 | San Diego Chargers | W 24–3 | 1–1 | Soldier Field | Recap |
| 3 | August 25 | Arizona Cardinals | L 16–23 | 1–2 | Soldier Field | Recap |
| 4 | August 31 | Cleveland Browns | W 20–7 | 2–2 | Cleveland Browns Stadium | Recap |
During the 2006 season, the Bears reintroduced three combinations of jerseys. During their week eight game against the San Francisco 49ers, the Bears wore special orange jerseys in the spirit of Halloween. They also wore all-white uniforms during their final two away games. Additionally, the Bears wore all-blue uniforms during their season finale against the Green Bay Packers.
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Game site | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 10 | at Green Bay Packers | W 26–0 | 1–0 | Lambeau Field | |
| 2 | September 17 | Detroit Lions | W 34–7 | 2–0 | Soldier Field | |
| 3 | September 24 | at Minnesota Vikings | W 19–16 | 3–0 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | |
| 4 | October 1 | Seattle Seahawks | W 37–6 | 4–0 | Soldier Field | |
| 5 | October 8 | Buffalo Bills | W 40–7 | 5–0 | Soldier Field | |
| 6 | October 16 | at Arizona Cardinals | W 24–23 | 6–0 | University of Phoenix Stadium | |
| 7 | Bye | |||||
| 8 | October 29 | San Francisco 49ers | W 41–10 | 7–0 | Soldier Field | |
| 9 | November 5 | Miami Dolphins | L 13–31 | 7–1 | Soldier Field | |
| 10 | November 12 | at New York Giants | W 38–20 | 8–1 | Giants Stadium | |
| 11 | November 19 | at New York Jets | W 10–0 | 9–1 | Giants Stadium | |
| 12 | November 26 | at New England Patriots | L 13–17 | 9–2 | Gillette Stadium | |
| 13 | December 3 | Minnesota Vikings | W 23–13 | 10–2 | Soldier Field | |
| 14 | December 11 | at St. Louis Rams | W 42–27 | 11–2 | Edward Jones Dome | |
| 15 | December 17 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | W 34–31 (OT) | 12–2 | Soldier Field | |
| 16 | December 24 | at Detroit Lions | W 26–21 | 13–2 | Ford Field | |
| 17 | December 31 | Green Bay Packers | L 7–26 | 13–3 | Soldier Field | |
| NFC North | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK | |
| (1) Chicago Bears | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | 5–1 | 11–1 | 427 | 255 | L1 |
| Green Bay Packers | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 5–1 | 7–5 | 301 | 366 | W4 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 2–4 | 6–6 | 282 | 387 | L3 |
| Detroit Lions | 3 | 13 | 0 | .188 | 0–6 | 2–10 | 305 | 398 | W1 |
Week 1: at Green Bay Packers
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bears | 7 | 9 | 3 | 7 | 26 |
| Packers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Week One: Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
The Bears began their season on a victorious note by defeating the Green Bay Packers. Widely considered one of the league's most storied rivalries, the Bears and Packers had previously met 28 times at Lambeau Field for a season opener.[9][10][11] Notably, this was the first shutout ever for the Packers with quarterback Brett Favre at the helm.[12]
Week 2: vs. Detroit Lions
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lions | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| Bears | 10 | 14 | 7 | 3 | 34 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Week Two: Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears – Game summary
at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
- Date: September 17
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: Clear, 68 °F (20 °C)
- Game attendance: 62,181
- Referee: Mike Carey
- TV announcers (Fox): Sam Rosen and Tim Ryan
- Box score
| "No defense can stop us. That's only in my opinion. We are our only defense. We will win this game. Y'all take that as a guarantee or what not, but we will win this game." |
| ~Roy Williams |
The Bears began a winning streak by defeating the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field. The game drew more media attention than usual when Roy Williams of the Detroit Lions guaranteed a victory against the Bears.[13][14]
Week 3: at Minnesota Vikings
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bears | 3 | 0 | 6 | 10 | 19 |
| Vikings | 3 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 16 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Week Three: Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Date: September 24
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
- Game attendance: 63,754
- Referee: Scott Green
- TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, Daryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa
- Box score
The Bears offense was limited by a resurgent Minnesota Vikings defense, but fourth-quarter heroics from both the offense and defense resulted in a 19–16 victory.[15]
Week 4: vs. Seattle Seahawks
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seahawks | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Bears | 7 | 13 | 14 | 3 | 37 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Week Four: Seattle Seahawks at Chicago Bears – Game summary
at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
- Date: October 1
- Game time: 7:15 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: Clear, 75 °F (24 °C)
- Game attendance: 62,225
- Referee: Terry McAulay
- TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels and John Madden
- Box score
Taking advantage of an injured Shaun Alexander, who did not play, and playing very well on both sides of the ball, the Bears defeated the defending NFC Champion Seattle Seahawks at Soldier Field by a score of 37–6 on the Bears' first night game of the year.[16]
Week 5: vs. Buffalo Bills
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bills | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Bears | 6 | 21 | 3 | 10 | 40 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Week Five: Buffalo Bills at Chicago Bears – Game summary
at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
- Date: October 8
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: Sunny, 73 °F (23 °C)
- Game attendance: 62,206
- Referee: Bill Carollo
- TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz and Phil Simms
- Box score
Week five marked the return of former Bears head coach Dick Jauron to Soldier Field. It would also be the second straight week in which the Bears defeated their opponent by more than 30 points.[17]
Week 6: at Arizona Cardinals
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bears | 0 | 0 | 10 | 14 | 24 |
| Cardinals | 14 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 23 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Week Six: Chicago Bears at Arizona Cardinals
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
- Date: October 16
- Game time: 6:30 p.m. MDT/7:30 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: Clear, 73 °F (23 °C) (retractable roof open)
- Game attendance: 63,977
- Referee: Jerome Boger
- TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Tirico, Joe Theismann, and Tony Kornheiser
- Box score
| "The Bears are who we thought they were, and that’s why we took the damn field. Now, if you want to crown them, then crown their ass! But, they are who we thought they were, and we let them off the hook!." |
| ~Dennis Green |
The Bears traveled to the newly opened University of Phoenix Stadium to play the Arizona Cardinals, their former cross-town rivals. While many expected the game a lop-sided affair in favor of the 5–0 Bears, the Cardinals led the Bears before stumbling in the game's last quarter. The game marked the Bears’ first Monday Night Football appearance since the 2003 NFL season, and second overall prime-time appearance of the season. The game started on an auspicious note for the Cardinals, as Rex Grossman faced a quick three and out after failing to connect to Bernard Berrian on a deep pass. The Cardinals responded offensively when rookie quarterback Matt Leinart threw two touchdowns in the first quarter. As Neil Rackers helped bolster the Cardinals lead with a set of field goals, Grossman continued to struggle and committed four turnovers in the first half alone. By half time, the Cardinals were leading the Bears by a score of 20–0, which was the largest deficit they had faced all season at that point.
The Bears finally got on the score board in the third quarter when Robbie Gould kicked a 23-yard field goal. However, Rackers responded again to boost the Cardinals lead back to twenty points. By the game's third quarter, many had assumed the Cardinals had grasped their second win of the season, and the undefeated Bears would be forced to face defeat. However, in the dying minutes of the third quarter, the Bears’ defense made a series of staunch defensive plays that allowed them to rally back.
First, rookie defensive end Mark Anderson sacked Leinart, causing him to fumble. The loose ball was picked up by Mike Brown, who returned it for a 3-yard touchdown. Later, Brian Urlacher stripped the ball from running back Edgerrin James, and Charles Tillman recovered the football and returned it for another touchdown. The Bears, now only trailing by six points, took the lead when rookie punt returner Devin Hester returned a punt for an 83-yard touchdown. The Cardinals had one final attempt to win the game, but Rackers missed a 40-yard field goal attempt, allowing the Bears to kneel the clock out. After the game's conclusion, Dennis Green, who was the Cardinal's coach at the time, threw his infamous "They are who we thought they were!" postgame conference. The rant became so popular, that it was featured in a Coors Light commercial the next season.[18]
Week 7: Bye
Celebration of the Bears' improbable win over Arizona was tempered by the news that starting safety Mike Brown was lost for the season with torn ligaments in his foot. The rest of the team was able to work toward renewed good health for the San Francisco game.
Week 8: vs. San Francisco 49ers
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49ers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 10 |
| Bears | 24 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 41 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Week Eight: San Francisco 49ers at Chicago Bears – Game summary
at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
- Date: October 29
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
- Game weather: Sunny, 55 °F (13 °C)
- Game attendance: 62,200
- Referee: Ron Winter
- TV announcers (Fox): Pat Summerall and Brian Baldinger
- Box score
Week 8 saw the Bears return to Soldier Field to play the San Francisco 49ers. Prior to the game, Lovie Smith announced that the Bears would don their alternative orange jerseys to commemorate the upcoming Halloween holiday, and asked Bear fans to wear orange clothing to create an “orange swarm” at Soldier Field.[19] The Bears' 41 point first half tied the franchise record for most points scored in one half, the other game being the 1940 NFL Championship, where the Bears defeated the Washington Redskins 73–0.[20]
Week 9: vs. Miami Dolphins
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dolphins | 0 | 14 | 7 | 10 | 31 |
| Bears | 3 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 13 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Week Nine: Miami Dolphins at Chicago Bears – Game summary
at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
- Date: November 5
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
- Game weather: Partly cloudy, 55 °F (13 °C)
- Game attendance: 62,206
- Referee: Peter Morelli
- TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf
- Box score
Week 9 saw the Bears take on the Joey Harrington-led Miami Dolphins and fall to 7–1 with their first loss of the season. Miami defensive end Jason Taylor recorded a sack, a forced fumble, and a 20-yard pick-six.[21]
Week 10: at New York Giants
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bears | 3 | 7 | 14 | 14 | 38 |
| Giants | 7 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 20 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Week Ten: Chicago Bears at New York Giants – Game summary
at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
- Date: November 12
- Game time: 7:15 p.m. CST/8:15 EST
- Game weather: Rain, 55 °F (13 °C)
- Game attendance: 78,641
- Referee: Ed Hochuli
- TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels and John Madden
- Box score
The Bears traveled to Giants Stadium to face the New York Giants. The game was highly anticipated, as it was the first game in league history to benefit from the NFL's flexible scheduling. Furthermore, leading up to the game Giants receiver Plaxico Burress provided plenty of fodder for the Chicago media by calling the Bears’ cornerbacks “average”.[22] Nevertheless, the Bears went on to beat the Giants by a score of 38–20. The win over the Giants allowed the Bears to hold their first-place ranking in the National Football Conference.[23] Devin Hester was also able to tie a record 108-yard return for a touchdown shared by teammate Nathan Vasher.
Week 11: at New York Jets
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bears | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 10 |
| Jets | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Week Eleven: Chicago Bears at New York Jets – Game summary
at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
- Date: November 19
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST/1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: Overcast, 47 °F (8 °C)
- Game attendance: 77,632
- Referee: Gene Steratore
- TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver
- Box score
For week eleven, the Chicago Bears returned to Giants Stadium to play the New York Jets. While the Bears managed to record their second shut-out win of the year, their offense struggled throughout the first half the game, and managed only ten points in the second half. The victory over the Jets marked the first time in two games that the Bears did not turn over the ball, and Robbie Gould had not failed to convert a field goal or extra point on the year.[24]
Week 12: at New England Patriots
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bears | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 13 |
| Patriots | 0 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Week Twelve: Chicago Bears at New England Patriots – Game summary
at Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, Massachusetts
- Date: November 26
- Game time: 3:15 p.m. CST/4:15 p.m. EST
- Game weather: Clear, 56 °F (13 °C)
- Game attendance: 68,756
- Referee: Walt Coleman
- TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver
- Box score
Following two consecutive wins at Giants Stadium, the Bears were to finish a three-game road trip at Gillette Stadium against the New England Patriots. Similar to the week nine confrontation with the Miami Dolphins, turnovers contributed to the Bears’ 17–13 loss against the Patriots.[25] The opening two quarters were a story of turnovers in a Rex Grossman interception by Asante Samuel, a Benjamin Watson catch knocked into the hands of Charles Tillman, a blocked Bears field goal attempt, and fumbles by Laurence Maroney and Grossman. The third quarter saw a bizarre sequence of turnovers – first fumbles by both Watson and Reche Caldwell on the same play, followed by another Samuel interception of Grossman, and finally a second Tillman interception of Brady. Through three quarters the game was tied 10–10 before a drive where Brady faked out Brian Urlacher on a nine-yard run ended in a two-yard score to Watson. Turnovers then ended the game, with a Corey Dillon fumble followed by Samuel's third interception of Grossman. Samuel's three picks tied Roland James in Patriots history for three interceptions in one game.
Week 13: vs. Minnesota Vikings
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 13 |
| Bears | 0 | 7 | 14 | 2 | 23 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Week Thirteen: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears – Game summary
at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
- Date: December 3
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
- Game weather: Sunny, 18 °F (−8 °C)
- Game attendance: 62,221
- Referee: Tony Corrente
- TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, Daryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa
- Box score
After the loss to New England, the Bears returned to Soldier Field to play the Minnesota Vikings. The weather conditions were harsh throughout the game; the below-freezing temperatures and swirling winds provided a clichéd background for a rivalry game in the "Black and Blue Division". Despite a marginal offensive performance, the Bears managed to defeat the Vikings 23–13.
With their tenth win of the season, the Bears secured their second consecutive NFC North Title. Additionally, the Bears became the first team in the NFL to clinch a playoff berth, and remained tied for the NFL's best record.[26]
Week 14: at St. Louis Rams
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bears | 0 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 42 |
| Rams | 0 | 13 | 0 | 14 | 27 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Week Fourteen: Chicago Bears at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri
- Date: December 11
- Game time: 7:30 p.m. CST
- Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
- Game attendance: 66,234
- Referee: Jeff Triplette
- TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Tirico, Joe Theismann, and Tony Kornheiser
- Box score
For week 14, the Bears traveled to St. Louis, Missouri to play the St. Louis Rams. Prior to the game, a quarterback controversy arose between Rex Grossman and Brian Griese regarding the Bears’ starting quarterback position. Grossman, who finished the preceding game with a quarterback rating of 1.3, was eager to make a statement, and rebound against the same team which injured him during the previous year's preseason. Grossman rose to the occasion, and spearheaded the Bears to a 42–27 victory over the Rams, while rookie CB Devin Hester had a record-breaking performance. Also, many spectators of the Monday night game may remember then-Senator Barack Obama's humorous television introduction before kickoff.[27]
During the course of the game, Hester broke the NFL record for combined return touchdowns in a single season with six. He also became the sixth player in NFL history to return two kicks for touchdowns in a single game. For his performance, he earned the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week Award. On a low note, kicker Robbie Gould uncharacteristically missed two field goal attempts, and the Bears announced that defensive tackle Tommie Harris would miss the remainder of the season with a severe hamstring injury.[28]
Week 15: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buccaneers | 0 | 3 | 7 | 21 | 0 | 31 |
| Bears | 7 | 14 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 34 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Week Fifteen: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears – Game summary
at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
- Date: December 17
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
- Game weather: Partly sunny, 49 °F (9 °C)
- Game attendance: 62,260
- Referee: Larry Nemmers
- TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, Daryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa
- Box score
The Bears improved to 12–2 and secured home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs with an overtime victory over their former division rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bears entered the game without Pro Bowlers Mike Brown, Nathan Vasher and Tommie Harris. Additionally, Lovie Smith deactivated defensive tackle Tank Johnson due to his legal issues.[29]
Week 16: at Detroit Lions
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bears | 3 | 14 | 0 | 9 | 26 |
| Lions | 7 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 21 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Week Sixteen: Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions – Game summary
at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
- Date: December 24
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST/1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
- Game attendance: 60,665
- Referee: Terry McAulay
- TV announcers (Fox): Sam Rosen, Tim Ryan and Jay Glazer
- Box score
The Bears traveled to Detroit, Michigan in hopes of another victory over the Detroit Lions on Christmas Eve. However, the game was essentially meaningless, as the Bears had already clinched the NFC's top playoff seed in the previous week. Therefore, the Bears experimented with different defensive and offensive plans en route to a victory over the Lions.[30]
Week 17: vs. Green Bay Packers
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Packers | 13 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 26 |
| Bears | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Week Seventeen: Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears – Game summary
at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
- Date: December 31
- Game time: 7:15 p.m. CST
- Game weather: Cloudy, 50 °F (10 °C)
- Game attendance: 62,287
- Referee: Bill Vinovich
- TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels, John Madden and Andrea Kremer
- Box score
After their road victory against the Detroit Lions, the Bears returned home to finish their season against the archenemy Green Bay Packers. On December 24, the NFL announced that they would move to game to a primetime slot, making it the final game of the 2006 regular season. The loss marked the Bears second consecutive loss in a regular season finale. Brett Favre appeared at the end of the game, and gave a tearful interview with an NBC Sports correspondent, where he admitted his future as a professional was still questionable. Additionally, Grossman's four turnovers (including two interceptions that were returned for a touchdown), zero passer rating, and press conference comments (where he admitted to being underprepared) drew criticism both from fans and the media as the Bears' regular season came to an end.[31][32]
The Bears clinched a playoff berth after defeating the Minnesota Vikings during week thirteen. They obtained a first round bye the following week, and later secured the NFC's first playoff seed. This ensured the Bears home field advantage for the NFC's Divisional and Conference games.
Post season schedule
| Round | Date | Opponent | Result | Game site | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFC Wild Card | First-round bye | ||||
| NFC Divisional | January 14, 2007 | Seattle Seahawks (4) | W 27–24 (OT) | Soldier Field | |
| NFC Championship | January 21, 2007 | New Orleans Saints (2) | W 39–14 | Soldier Field | |
| Super Bowl XLI | February 4, 2007 | vs. Indianapolis Colts (A3) | L 17–29 | Dolphin Stadium | |
NFC Divisional playoff: vs Seattle Seahawks (4)
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seahawks | 0 | 14 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| Bears | 7 | 14 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 27 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
NFC Divisional Round: Seattle Seahawks (4) at Chicago Bears (1) – Game summary
at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
- Date: January 14, 2007
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
- Game weather: Cloudy, 32 °F (0 °C)
- Game attendance: 62,184
- Referee: Gerald Austin
- TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Pam Oliver and Chris Myers
- Box score
The Bears advanced to the NFC Championship game by defeating the Seattle Seahawks on January 14, 2007. In a hard-fought battle, the Bears had to rely on all “four phases” of the game (offense, defense, special teams, and crowd noise) to win 27–24 in overtime.[33]
NFC Championship: vs New Orleans Saints (2)
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saints | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
| Bears | 3 | 13 | 2 | 21 | 39 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
NFC Championship Game: New Orleans Saints (2) at Chicago Bears (1) – Game summary
at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
- Date: January 21, 2007
- Game time: 2:00 p.m. CST
- Game weather: Snow, 28 °F (−2 °C)
- Game attendance: 61,047
- Referee: Terry McAulay
- TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Pam Oliver and Chris Myers
- Box score
The Chicago Bears returned to Soldier Field to play the second-seeded New Orleans Saints for the right to represent the NFC in Super Bowl XLI. On a cold field with unsure footing, and eventually falling snow, the Bears defeated the Saints 39–14 to claim their first NFC Championship since the 1985 Season. After the game, Bears owner Virginia McCaskey was presented the George Halas Trophy, named after her late father, "Papa Bear" George Halas. With the win, Lovie Smith became the first African American coach to achieve a Super Bowl berth. In Super Bowl XLI, The Bears would match up against the Indianapolis Colts, and Smith would face his mentor, Tony Dungy.[34]
Super Bowl XLI: vs Indianapolis Colts (A3)
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colts | 6 | 10 | 6 | 7 | 29 |
| Bears | 14 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 17 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Super Bowl XLI: Indianapolis Colts (A3) vs. Chicago Bears (N1) – Game summary
at Dolphin Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
- Date: February 4, 2007
- Game time: 5:25 p.m. CST/6:25 p.m. EST
- Game weather: Rain, 67 °F (19 °C)
- Game attendance: 74,512
- Referee: Tony Corrente
- TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Solomon Wilcots, Steve Tasker, Lesley Visser and Sam Ryan
- Box score
Super Bowl XLI, the first Super Bowl to be played entirely in intemperate weather, saw the Bears lose to the Indianapolis Colts at Dolphin Stadium in Miami.[35]
Eight members of the Chicago Bears were selected to play in the 2007 Pro Bowl. Olin Kreutz, Tommie Harris, Lance Briggs, Brian Urlacher, Robbie Gould, Devin Hester, and Brendon Ayanbadejo were selected by NFL fans throughout the nation to represent the Bears.[36] The eight selections were the most from any team in the NFC. The Bears had not sent that many players to Honolulu since the 1986 Pro Bowl, which succeeded the 1985 NFL season, when they sent nine. On January 25, Bears' left guard Ruben Brown was named to his ninth Pro Bowl, taking the spot of injured Shawn Andrews of the Philadelphia Eagles.[37] However, Harris, Urlacher, Kreutz, and Briggs missed the Pro Bowl on the account of injuries.
Perhaps the most prevalent off-field occurrences were the actions taken by and against Tank Johnson and Ricky Manning, Jr. On December 14, 2006, Lake County police officers searched Johnson's home in Gurnee, Illinois, and discovered that he possessed six firearms, including two assault rifles. Johnson was charged with violation of probation and possessing unlicensed weapons. A Chicago media storm erupted shortly after when Johnson's bodyguard was shot and killed December 16, after attending a club with him. Bears coach Lovie Smith deactivated Johnson for the following game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers based on the incidents. Speculation arose in Chicago that the Bears' defensive tackle would not be allowed either legally or by the team to travel to Miami to play in the Super Bowl, but he was ultimately allowed to play. Johnson eventually served 60 days in a Cook County jail because of the charges.[38] Manning Jr. faced a similar situation that cost him a one-game suspension. On April 23, 2006, two days after receiving an offer sheet from the Bears, Manning Jr. attacked a man in a Denny's restaurant after teasing him for working on a laptop computer.[39][40] In September 2006, Manning pleaded no contest to felony assault in exchange for another probation deal, though later he proclaimed his innocence.[41]
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Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
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Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
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