Dan's Bear Den

Recently, I’ve been thinking about the greatest Bears games I’ve ever watched, and it was not easy picking just the top 10. The top 2 were in a virtual tie, it was a tough choice. I considered the entire game, not just the ending, and also the significance of the game. I appreciate comments on my list.

#10 4th and 32
Lions @ Bears November 24, 2002.

A game that featured a crazy ending and some very questionable coaching decisions. Trailing by 3 with time running out, Jim Miller completed a difficult pass on a 4th and 32 to set up a game-tying field goal. This was also the only time I’ve ever seen a team elect to kick-off to start overtime. That one always made me wonder what Marty Mornhinweg was thinking, and it may have cost him his job after the season

#9 The Gruden Game
Vikings @ Bears December 28, 2009.

One of three Monday Night games on the list. One reason I loved this game is that it probably cost the Vikings the top seed and possibly a trip to the Super Bowl. Another reason is that ESPN, and especially Jon Gruden spent most of the game kissing Brett Favre’s butt, in what could have been (but of course wasn’t, his final game against the Bears). The Bears jumped out to a 23-6 lead early in the 3rd quarter, and never gave up when the Vikings fought their way back. Adrian Peterson fumbled after a run for a 1st down in overtime, and Jay Cutler hit Devin Aromashudu for a game winning TD on the next play.

#8 Help from above.
Bears @ Packers November 7 1999

This game was the Bears first win against the Packers in 6 years, and their first in Green Bay in 7. It also came just days after the death of Walter Payton. The game wasn’t decided until the final seconds when Ryan Longwell’s game winning field goal attempt was blocked by Bryan Robinson. Robinson said he’d never jumped that high before, maybe he had help from above, the Bears were certainly inspired by Payton

#7 Revenge of ‘85
Bears @ Dolphins October 27, 1997

This was a significant game for a lot of reasons, the Bears entered the game 0-7, coming off a really bad loss to Green Bay, and it was re-scheduled to Monday night because of the World Series game in Pro Player Stadium on Sunday. The Bears overcame a 15 point late deficit, capped off by Bobby Engram’s great catch on a 2-point conversion to tie the game and force overtime. Dan Mario’s fumble set up the game winning field goal. The Bears winless season was ended against the same team that cost them an undefeated season 12 years earlier.

#6 Return to Sender
Broncos @ Bears November 25, 2007

This was possibly the greatest game of Devin Hester’s career. He became the first player to return a punt and a kickoff for a touchdown in the same quarter, both for game tying scores (Darren Sproles would duplicate the feat later in the year). After the Broncos again took a 14 point lead in the 4th quarter, the Bears got a TD run by Adrian Peterson and a pass to Bernard Berrian to tie the game, and won on a field goal in overtime. It was also notable as future Bear Jay Cutler’s first game in Chicago.

#5 Griese’s Miracle
Bears @ Eagles October 21, 2007

This was one of the most exciting endings I’ve ever seen. The Eagles stayed in the game by holding the Bears to field goals on several drives. They took at 4 point lead with 5 minutes to play on Matt Schobel’s touchdown catch. Things looked very grim for the Bears when Sav Rocca punted the ball out of bounds at the 3 yard line with a minute and a half to go and the Bears had no timeouts. Brian Griese proceeded to drive the Bears 97 yards for a game winning touchdown.

#4 The Longest Second
Saints @ Bears December 11, 2008

This one featured another crazy ending. The Bears had lost several heartbreakers in the 2008 season and needed 3 wins and a lot of help to make the playoffs. Danieal Manning got the game off to a fast start by running back the opening kickoff for a touchdown. This game truly was a matter of every second counting as Rex Grossman managed to call timeout with one second on the clock to set up a game tying field goal. The Bears then won the game in overtime to keep their playoff hopes alive.

#3 Worth a 2nd look
49ers @ Bears October 28, 2001

This game featured an incredible comeback and a great ending. The Bears were down 15 in the 4th quarter and were without starting QB Jim Miller who was knocked out of the game with an injury. With 4 minutes to go backup Shane Matthews hit David Terrell for a touchdown. Following a 49ers punt, the Bears drove down again and Matthews threw another TD to Terrell which was reviewed and upheld. Anthony Thomas’ run for a 2-point conversion was also reviewed and upheld. Overtime lasted one play as Jeff Garcia’s pass went through Terrell Owens’ hands and was intercepted by Mike Brown for a touchdown.

#2 Déjà Vu All Over Again
Browns @ Bears November 4, 2001

This was the wildest ending I’ve ever seen of a Bears game. The game was actually fairly boring until the final 2 minutes, but the ending makes it one of the greatest games ever. For the 2nd straight week the Bears were down 2 touchdowns and without their starting quarterback, Jim Miller. With 32 seconds to play the Bears were down 14 and looking for a miracle when Matthews hit Marty Booker for a touchdown. The Bears then recovered the onside kick and were 34 yards away with 8 seconds left. Matthews threw the ball toward the end zone and running back James Allen caught a tipped pass for the game tying touchdown. The Déjà vu continued in overtime when Mike Brown intercepted a tipped pass for a game winning touchdown.

#1 We Are Who They Thought We Were
Bears @ Cardinals October 16, 2006

The greatest Bears game I’ve ever seen and the game that inspired the greatest post game press conference rant ever. Who could blame Denny Green for losing his cool after this one? For almost 3 quarters the Bears offense did nothing, but their defense kept them in the game. Late in the 3rd quarter, Mark Anderson sacked Matt Leinart and forced a fumble which was run back by Mike Brown to cut the Cardinals lead to 23-10. Following 2 interceptions thrown by Rex Grossman, the Bears needed another big play from their defense. Brian Urlacher forced a fumble from Edgerin James and Charles Tillman ran it back for a touchdown to cut the Cardinals’ lead to 6. The Bears needed one more big play and it came once again from Devin Hester who ran a punt back for a touchdown to give the Bears a 1 point lead with 3:17 to play. Neil Rackers missed a potential game winning field goal ending the Cardinals’ hopes of winning. The Bears made NFL history as the 1st team to come back from a 20 point deficit to win without scoring an offensive touchdown.