Ranking the Chicago Bears of 2000-09: Which Teams Were the Best and Worst?

With just under three weeks remaining until we put a big bow around the 2000-2009 decade, I got this "great" idea to rank each Chicago Bears team from this decade.

Throughout the decade, the Bears won 74 games and lost 70 (not including the 2009 season). They have made the playoffs three times (2001, 2005, and 2006), were NFC Champions (2006), and produced their fair share of Pro Bowlers.

But just which season was the best? Or worst?

Going from worst of the decade (No. 10) to best (No. 1), here are the Chicago Bears of 2000 to 2009.

No. 10: The 2002 Chicago Bears

Record: 4-12
Finish: Third in NFC North

2002 was the "season after the 'miracle' season." We had the "A-Train," that "Monsters of the Midway Reborn" defense, Mike "Miracle" Brown, an OK quarterback, and a halfway decent head coach. (I guess hindsight is 20/20, right?)

If ANYTHING was not quite right this season, it was that the Bears wouldn't be playing in Soldier Field.

They even started out great, defeating Minnesota 27-23 and Atlanta 14-13 in the first two weeks of the season.

But then came the eight-game losing streak (which easily could have swelled into a 10-game win streak but for a close 20-17 victory over Detroit), followed by two more unlucky losses that put the Bears at 3-10.

The "A-Train" was nonexistent. Jim Miller wasn't what we expected (throwing 14 TDs and nine INTs and only averaging 194.5 passing yards per game), and that defense wasn't anything to write home about.

It was the perfect example of a team with high expectations that fumbled...big time.

No. 9: The 2004 Chicago Bears

Record: 4-12
Finish: Fourth in NFC North

"1: We will beat the Packers. 2: We will win the division. 3: We will win the Super Bowl."

Those were the three goals that Lovie Smith set in motion when he signed on as head coach prior to the 2004 season. If there was any positive from that season, it's that he did accomplish goal No. 1.

But realistically, that 21-10 victory (and new Soldier Field home opener) was the ONLY high point of the 2004 season. If not, it was the late-minute thriller in Tennessee.

However, what makes this season slightly better than the 2002 year was Lovie Smith and his team weren't under heavy expectations...yet.

No. 8: The 2000 Chicago Bears

Record: 5-11
Finish: Fifth in NFC Central

Cade McNown, anyone?

Remember when you were excited about having him?

In his last season as the Bears starter, McNown threw (get ready) eight touchdowns and nine interceptions while guiding our boys to a 5-11 season. Impressive!

I couldn't find any positive in that woeful season. Unless maybe you consider not having expectations as a positive?

No. 7: The 2003 Chicago Bears

Record: 7-9
Finish: Third in NFC North

Memories of Kordell Stewart and Chris Chandler still haunt my dreams. The 2003 season (otherwise known as Dick Jauron's last hurrah) had the potential of being exciting...had the Bears stayed healthy enough.

A 1-5 start put the Bears nearly out of contention...that is until they got on a roll, going 4-2 over the next six games, getting in (somewhat) playoff contention.

But a close loss to Green Bay and a Week 17 blowout to Kansas City ended our hopes of playoff glory. We finished 7-9 and once again looked as if we entered rebuilding mode.

No. 6: The 2009 Chicago Bears

Record: ??
Finish: Likely third in NFC North

I can't recall ever getting this excited over an offseason acquisition. Finally, the Bears had what they've lacked for two decades: a quarterback.

Except for the fact that Jay Cutler wasn't really that good in a Bears uniform.

This 2009 team has honestly been one of the worst in my opinion. Our expectations were too high for a team that saw its defense age overnight, an inexperienced group of wide receivers, a putrid offensive line, and a horrible coach all come together for one big lose-fest.

Maybe next year, huh?

No. 5: The 2007 Chicago Bears

Record: 7-9
Finish: Third in NFC North

Its funny how fast Rex Grossman fell out of love with Chicago, or rather how fast Chicago fell out of love with Sexy Rexy.

There was a time (and don't deny this, my fellow Bear fans) when we were excited to see Rex take the field. But 2007 was the final nail in the coffin. Rex cost us our Super Bowl, and to top it off...cost us the 2007 playoffs.

It was an up-and-down season where playoff spots could've been clinched on any given game. Every game was winnable...aside from maybe that blowout loss to Dallas.

The close game in San Diego? Or New York? Washington? Seattle? Minnesota?

Giving up 20-plus fourth quarter points to DETROIT?

It was a year that had so much potential that came down to a week-by-week guessing game of, "Is Rex going to play or not?"

Well, at least it's over.

No. 4: 2008 Chicago Bears

Record: 9-7
Finish: Second in NFC North

It wasn't pretty, but somehow we came within one game of making the playoffs. That is until Andre Johnson told us who we really were: a team with a bad secondary.

It all started with an improbable beatdown of the Indianapolis Colts on opening night, followed by two late losses to Tampa Bay and Carolina. We knew it was going to be a roller coaster season.

As the season got down to the wire, Chicago turned it up and got on a three-game win streak. But it was cut short in that Week 17 matchup that could've put them in the playoffs when Johnson ran wild in Houston, taking down the Bears 31-24.

All in all, the Bears kept us entertained throughout the entirety of the season.

No. 3: The 2005 Chicago Bears

Record: 11-5
Finish: NFC North Champions
Playoffs: Lost in the Divisional Round

It was the birth of what was to become the Super Bowl Bears. Thomas Jones, Kyle Orton, Bernard Berrian, and that defense all came to life.

Following a dismal 1-3 start, the Bears got on an eight-game win streak (including big victories over Green Bay, Baltimore, and Carolina) and eventually finished 11-5.

Entering the playoffs, Chicago was the heavy underdog to the defending NFC Champion Carolina Panthers. After a battle of the offenses, Carolina eventually prevailed 29-21.

No. 2: The 2001 Chicago Bears

Record: 13-3
Finish: First in NFC North
Playoffs: Lost in Divisional Round

Mike "Miracle" Brown created perhaps the most amazing season in Chicago history. Two overtime interception returned for touchdowns led to a (truly remarkable) 13-3 season, the best since 1986.

Jim Miller shined, rookie Anthony "A-Train" Thomas rumbled to over 1,000 yards rushing, and that defense led by youngster Brian Urlacher was nearly unbeatable.

But when Chicago lost to Philadelphia 33-19 in Soldier Field's final game, the magical season was over.

Despite the playoff loss, 2001 is still considered one of the greatest years in Bear history.

No. 1: The 2006 Chicago Bears

Record: 13-3
Finish: First in NFC North
Playoffs: NFC Champions, lost in Super Bowl

What a year. Even though Chicago lost to Indianapolis in the Super Bowl, the 2006 season was perhaps the most exciting.

We had the best defense and a high efficient offense with Berrian, Grossman (when he was hot), Jones, and Cedric Benson—and it translated to victories.

Our only three losses came to Miami, New England, and Green Bay (when we rested our starters).

We took down Seattle in the playoffs in possibly the most exciting playoff game ever played. Then we derailed the Saints' beautiful comeback season en route to Super Bowl XLI—only to watch our dreams fade in the hands of Rex Grossman.

Hopefully in the next 10 years, Chicago can make it back to the big dance and win.