Chicago Bears: The 8 Best Moments of the Bears' 2010 Season

Now that Bears fans have had enough time to lick our wounds over the NFC Championship Game loss to the hated Green Bay Packers, one can objectively look at the 2010 season for what it truly was: a lot of fun and very surprising. 

Personally, I had the Bears at 6-10, and many other writers were similarly pessimistic about the team's chances. But the Bears surprised us with what amounted to a very good season, despite that ugly last loss.

The Bears were coming off a 7-9 season in 2009 as they failed to qualify for the playoffs a third consecutive time.

Head coach Lovie Smith and GM Jerry Angelo were on a short leash and a "win or else" mentality was formed. So they went out and signed some free agents, most notably Julius Peppers, and took advantage of the health of Brian Urlacher to improve to 11-5.

It's in the rear view mirror now, but let's take a look at some of the top moments from this past season while we long for the day when football returns.  

Calvin Johnson "Rule of Posession" Catch That Wasn't

The very first week of the 2010 schedule started off with a bang for the Bears, as a game that they should have lost turned into a victory due to a rule that was called correctly, but in all reality is very stupid.

A touchdown reception by the Detroit Lions' Calvin Johnson was overturned via a little known rule and ruled incomplete.

Again, it was the right call, but even as a Bears fan, I must admit it seemed like a good catch,and the Bears were extremely fortunate to win this game.

But, luck or not, the Bears were on their way.

Bears Beat the Packers in Week 3

For Bears fans, and Lovie Smith, beating the hated Packers is always a good thing. That is what happened in Week 3 of the young season to keep a perfect season intact was just gravy. And groovy.

The Bears returned home after beating the Cowboys and trailed at the half 10-7. Following a scoreless third quarter, Devin Hester returned a punt 62 yards to give the Bears the lead.

Aaron Rodgers scored a three-yard TD, but the Bears came back on two field goals by Robbie Gould, the second of which was in the final seconds of the game, to give the Bears a 20-17 win over the cheeseheads.

The Bears were a surprising 3-0!

Bears Make Adjustments During the Bye-Week

Perhaps the move that saved the Bears from themselves was the "come to Jesus" meeting during the bye week.

Whether it was Lovie that forced it, or a fight between Mike Tice and Mike Martz (accounts vary), the end result was a better offensive balance between the run and pass, with better use of Jay Cutler's legs.

What this did was to reduce pressure on a weak and injured offensive line and allowed for more time for Cutler to throw, as the opponent had to respect the possibility of the run, including Cutler's ability to scramble out of the pocket.

The move paid immediate dividends as the Bears beat the Bills, in Canada, 22-19 in Week 9, the first week coming off of the bye.

The Bears improved to 5-3.

Bears Score 700th Franchise Win

The Bears followed up an impressive victory over the Minnesota Vikings by going to Miami and shutting out the Dolphins on a short week, 16-0.

It was the 700th win in franchise history. The Bears were the first team to record that many wins.

With the victory, the Bears improved to 7-3.

Bears Stop Vick and the Eagles

Michael Vick came to Chicago as the comeback player of the NFL and was having a monster season. But the Bears defense did a good job of limiting Vick and the Bears went on to win the game 31-26.

The win finally gave the Bears some respect. It also gave them an 8-3 record.

Devin Hester Runs into the Record Books

In Week 15 at Minnesota, the Bears won a game in which all three phases dominated.

Jay Cutler connected for three TD passes, Robbie Gould was 4-for-4 in field goals and Devin Hester became the all-time NFL leader in combined punt and kick returns for touchdowns.

For added measure, Corey Wootten sacked Brett Favre in the third quarter, knocking him out of the game and his career.

With the win, the Bears improved to 10-4 and clinched the NFC North division title.

Bears Clinch First-Round Bye

The Bears topped the Jets in a back and forth struggle in Week 16, 38-34, and when the Eagles later lost to the Vikings, the Bears clinched a first-round bye in the playoffs.

The Bears were 11-4 and looking good. People were legitimately discussing the Super Bowl.

Bears Win Divisional Playoff Round Over Seahawks

The Bears avenged an earlier loss to Seattle by beating them 35-24 at Solider Field. I won tickets to the game through a trivia contest on Twitter by the Bears Chris Harris.

With the win, the Bears earned a championship berth against the Packers. We all know what happened there unfortunately, so you won't be seeing that game on this list.

What was said to be a meaningless game against the Packers in Week 17 turned out to be very meaningful for it put Green Bay into the playoffs.

But following the win over the Seahawks, optimism was rampant in Chicago as the win put the team one win away from the Super Bowl.

It may have ended badly, but it was a great season anyway.