Chicago Bears: The Bright Spots of 2007

At the beginning of the season, the Bears and their fans had their eyes on another Super Bowl appearance.

Somewhere along the line, that dream failed to become a reality. 

After a couple games, they started to look for the playoffs, then the wild card, and then about half way through they consigned themselves to just trying to play tough.

But cheer up, Bears fans.  There were some memorable moments in this past season.

Some of us forget Israel Idonije's three blocked field goals. There was also some incredible comeback wins, and, of course, Devin Hester. 

Coming off an embarrassing defensive effort against the Lions in Week 4, the Bears went into Lambeau Field to take on the undefeated Packers. Chicago gave Griese the starting nod after Rex laid an egg on Sunday night against the Cowboys. 

Chicago's Charles "Peanut" Tillman was player of the game, after knocking the ball loose from Packers receivers twice as Green Bay was threatening.

The game remained close throughout, and was tied at 20 until late in the 4th quarter. The Bears had the ball with about 3 minutes left in Packers territory. Facing a 2nd and short, Chicago called the play they always seem to execute perfectly rather than play for a field goal...the play action full back flat. For some reason, Desmond Clark always breaks open on this play.

This time was no exception. 

When Clark broke open, Griese floated it perfectly to him in the end zone. As the Packers attempted their poor excuse for a two minute drill, Brandon McGowan picked off Brett Favre in the end zone, which gave Favre a somewhat dubious record- the all time leader in interceptions. 

The week after their Packers victory, they played the Minnesota Vikings, a game featuring a Devin Hester punt return for a touchdown and his first receiving touchdown. They lost that game on a 55 yard field goal, but then turned right back around and went to Philadelphia and won a field goal battle. The Bears and Eagles went back and forth kicking field goals until the fourth quarter, when the Eagles scored the first touchdown of the game.

Chicago decided to respond with 6 of their own on a late drive, ending with nine ticks left.

Brian Griese in his fourth game of the season went 97 yards on the final drive in under two minutes without any timeouts, and finally hit Muhammad in the end zone. I couldn't remember the last time the Bears did something like that.  Two weeks later, the Bears got caught in a game against the Raiders which featured little excitement until Griese went down with a shoulder injury, allowing the resurREXtion of Rex Grossman.

Grossman came in and helped the Bears beat the Raiders with a deep touchdown  to Bernard Berrian.  After a tough loss to the Seahawks, the Bears came back to Soldier Field and greeted Todd Sauerbrun and the Denver Broncos.

Chicago couldn't seem to fully get it together on offense and the Broncos couldn't seem to pull away. Coming out of the third quarter, Broncos kicker Todd Sauerbrun (who said that Denver wasn't afraid of Hester) was hurdled over by Devin Hester after punting to the return machine.

Hester hopped Saurbrun on his way to the end zone and, eventually, the Bears tunnel.

After Hester tied it, the Broncos put up another touchdown. Then for some reason Saurbrun kicked to Hester again and watched as the Pro-Bowler ran back to the end zone.  It still wasn't enough as the Broncos put up a 14 point lead with 5 minutes left.  At that point it looked like something possessed the Bears as they forced a three and out, blocked the punt, pounded the ball in the end zone with Adrian Peterson, forced another three and out, and gave them a chance to tie. As the drive came near an end, the Bears faithful felt the season slipping. It came down to 4th and goal on about the three.

Thirty seconds left.  No timeouts. 

Grossman tosses it to the side of the end zone only to be caught be a laid out Bernard Berrian to tie the game.

Next thing you know, the Bears win the toss, call the notorious play action fake to Desmond Clark, and watch as Robbie Gould drives the game-winning field goal in overtime.

Yes, overall, the season was disappointing, but there were some games that I will always remember. Of course there were heartbreaks, but at least Chicago beat the Packers twice, made some nice comebacks, and Devin Hester remained Devin Hester. 

Bear down, Chicago Bears.  We'll be waiting for you next fall.