2005 Chicago Bears season

2005 Chicago Bears season
2005 Chicago Bears season
Owner	The McCaskey Family
Head coach	Lovie Smith
General manager	Jerry Angelo
Home field	Soldier Field
Results
Record	11–5
Division place	1st NFC North
Playoff finish	Lost Divisional Playoffs (vs. Panthers) 21–29
	← 2004; Bears seasons; 2006 →;

The 2005 season was the Chicago Bears' 86th in the National Football League (NFL). The team improved to an 11–5 record from a 5–11 record in 2004, earning them their first playoff birth and NFC North title since 2001 title and the second seed in the NFC for the playoffs.

The season started off with the team trying to rebound from a 5–11 season under now coach Lovie Smith. Smith, in his first year with the Bears, had been eager to lead his young team to a Super Bowl, but a preseason injury to starting quarterback Rex Grossman spelled disaster for the Bears.^[1]

The 2005 Bears started the season slowly, winning only one of their first four games. Despite their poor passing game, the Bears managed to win eight consecutive games, through perseverance on defense and a solid running game. The Bears eventually clinched a playoff berth on Christmas Day against the Green Bay Packers. However, in their first playoff game in almost four years, the Carolina Panthers upset the Bears, 29–21.

This season is notable for Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher winning Defensive Player of the Year. He was the first Bear to earn the award since 1988 when Mike Singletary won.

Offseason[]

NFL Draft[]

Round	Pick	Player	Position	College
2005 Chicago Bears draft
1	4	Cedric Benson	RB	Texas
2	39	Mark Bradley	WR	Oklahoma
4	106	Kyle Orton	QB	Purdue
5	140	Airese Currie	WR	Clemson
6	181	Chris Harris	S	Louisiana-Monroe
7	220	Rod Wilson	LB	South Carolina
Made roster † Pro Football Hall of Fame * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Training camp[]

Hopeful expectations were crushed as quarterback Rex Grossman's ankle was broken in the 2nd preseason game against the St. Louis Rams.^[1] Backup quarterback Chad Hutchinson was benched and cut after struggling heavily in the next two preseason games against the Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills. The Bears then turned to rookie Kyle Orton to lead their offense.

Rookie running back Cedric Benson held out of training camp over a contract dispute until just before the final preseason game. His absence in camp meant that Thomas Jones would be the starting running back going into the regular season.

Despite all these setbacks, the Bears were still hopeful because franchise middle linebacker Brian Urlacher had made it through the preseason in good health, unlike the year before when he battled injuries all season, beginning with a pulled hamstring on the first day of training camp.

Preseason[]

Week	Date	Opponent	Score
HOF	August 8	vs Miami Dolphins	W 27–24
1	August 12	at St. Louis Rams	L 13–17
2	August 20	at Indianapolis Colts	W 24–17
3	August 26	Buffalo Bills	W 16–12
4	September 1	Cleveland Browns	L 6–16

Staff[]

**2005 Chicago Bears staff**

	Front office Chairman of the Board – Michael McCaskey President/Chief Executive Officer – Ted Phillips General Manager – Jerry Angelo Director of Pro Personnel – Bobby DePaul Director of College Scouting – Head coaches Head Coach – Lovie Smith Offensive coaches Offensive Coordinator – Ron Turner Quarterbacks – Wade Wilson Running Backs – Tim Spencer Wide Receivers – Darryl Drake Tight Ends – Rob Boras Offensive Line – Harry Hiestand Assistant Offensive Line – Harold Goodwin Offensive Quality Control – Mike Bajakian			Defensive coaches Defensive Coordinator – Ron Rivera Defensive Line – Linebackers – Bob Babich Defensive Backs – Perry Fewell Assistant Defensive Backs – Torrian Gray Defensive Quality Control – Lloyd Lee Special teams coaches Special Teams Coordinator – Dave Toub Assistant Special Teams – Charlie Coiner Strength and conditioning Strength and Conditioning Coordinator – Rusty Jones Strength and Conditioning Assistant – Jim Arthur

Roster[]

**2005 Chicago Bears final roster**

	Quarterbacks 8 Rex Grossman 18 Kyle Orton 11 Jeff Blake 15 Kurt Kittner Running backs 37 Jason McKie FB 49 Marc Edwards FB 29 Adrian Peterson 47 Bryan Johnson FB 20 Thomas Jones 32 Cedric Benson Wide receivers 80 Bernard Berrian 19 Carl Ford 21 Rashied Davis 87 Muhsin Muhammad 12 Justin Gage 84 Bobby Wade 86 Eddie Berlin Tight ends 88 Desmond Clark 85 John Gilmore 82 Gabe Reid		Offensive linemen 63 Roberto Garza G 57 Olin Kreutz C 60 Terrence Metcalf G 69 Fred Miller T 68 Ruben Brown G 78 John St. Clair T 62 Lennie Friedman G 75 Marc Colombo T 72 Qasim Mitchell G 79 Steve Edwards T 76 John Tait T Defensive linemen 96 Alex Brown DE 91 Tommie Harris DT 71 Israel Idonije DE/DT 93 Adewale Ogunleye DE 67 Jamaal Green DE 97 Michael Haynes DE 70 Alfonso Boone DT 95 Ian Scott DT 99 Tank Johnson DT		Linebackers 94 Brendon Ayanbadejo OLB 55 Lance Briggs OLB 92 Hunter Hillenmeyer OLB 58 Jeremy Cain OLB 53 Leon Joe LB 54 Brian Urlacher ILB Defensive backs 30 Mike Brown SS 43 Mike Green FS 23 Jerry AzumahCB 31 Nathan VasherCB 36 Brandon McGowan SS 46 Chris Harris SS 35 Todd Johnson SS 33 Charles Tillman CB Special teams 9 Robbie Gould K 10 Doug Brien K 65 Patrick Mannelly LS 4 Brad Maynard P		Reserve lists 16 Mark Bradley WR (IR) 22 Alfonso Marshall CB (PUP) 59 Joe Odom LB (IR) Practice squad 39 Willie Amos S 14 Craig Bragg WR 98 Darrell Campbell DT Rookies in italics

Regular season[]

Schedule[]

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue
1	September 11	at Washington Redskins	L 7–9	0–1	FedExField
2	September 18	Detroit Lions	W 38–6	1–1	Soldier Field
3	September 25	Cincinnati Bengals	L 7–24	1–2	Soldier Field
4	Bye
5	October 9	at Cleveland Browns	L 10–20	1–3	Cleveland Browns Stadium
6	October 16	Minnesota Vikings	W 28–3	2–3	Soldier Field
7	October 23	Baltimore Ravens	W 10–6	3–3	Soldier Field
8	October 30	at Detroit Lions	W 19–13	4–3	Ford Field
9	November 6	at New Orleans Saints	W 20–17	5–3	Tiger Stadium
10	November 13	San Francisco 49ers	W 17–9	6–3	Soldier Field
11	November 20	Carolina Panthers	W 13–3	7–3	Soldier Field
12	November 27	at Tampa Bay Buccaneers	W 13–10	8–3	Raymond James Stadium
13	December 4	Green Bay Packers	W 19–7	9–3	Soldier Field
14	December 11	at Pittsburgh Steelers	L 9–21	9–4	Heinz Field
15	December 18	Atlanta Falcons	W 16–3	10–4	Soldier Field
16	December 25	at Green Bay Packers	W 24–17	11–4	Lambeau Field
17	January 1	at Minnesota Vikings	L 10–34	11–5	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome

Standings[]

NFC North
view talk	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
⁽²⁾ Chicago Bears	11	5	0	.688	5–1	10–2	260	202	L1
Minnesota Vikings	9	7	0	.563	5–1	8–4	306	344	W1
Detroit Lions	5	11	0	.313	1–5	3–9	254	345	L1
Green Bay Packers	4	12	0	.250	1–5	4–8	298	344	W1

Game summaries[]

Week 1: at Washington Redskins[]

	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	0	0	7	0	7
Redskins	0	3	6	0	9

at FedExField

Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: 80 °F (27 °C)
Game attendance: 90,138
TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton and Daryl Johnston

Game information

Q2 – WAS – 7:34 – John Hall 40-yard field goal (WAS 3–0)

Q2 – WAS – 1:00 – John Hall 43-yard field goal (WAS 6–0)

Q3 – CHI – 11:28 – Thomas Jones 1-yard run (Doug Brien kick) (CHI 7–6)

Q3 – WAS – 2:54 – John Hall 19-yard field goal (WAS 9–7)

Week 2: vs. Detroit Lions[]

	1	2	3	4	Total
Lions	6	0	0	0	6
Bears	10	21	0	7	38

at Soldier Field

Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: Sunny, 81 °F (27 °C)
Game attendance: 62,019
TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck and Troy Aikman

Game information

Q1 – CHI – 10:10 – Thomas Jones 3-yard run (Doug Brien kick) (CHI 7–0)

Q1 – DET – 9:54 – Roy Williams 51-yard pass from Joey Harrington (kick failed) (CHI 7–6)

Q1 – CHI – 6:04 – Doug Brien 48-yard field goal (CHI 10–6)

Q2 – CHI – 11:34 – Bobby Wade 73-yard punt return (Doug Brien kick) (CHI 17–6)

Q2 – CHI – 1:14 – Muhsin Muhammad 28-yard pass from Kyle Orton (Doug Brien kick) (CHI 24–6)

Q2 – CHI – 0:57 – Mike Brown 41-yard interception return (Doug Brien kick) (CHI 31–6)

Q4 – CHI – 12:13 – Thomas Jones 16-yard run (Doug Brien kick) (CHI 38–6)

Week 3: vs. Cincinnati Bengals[]

	1	2	3	4	Total
Bengals	10	0	7	7	24
Bears	0	0	7	0	7

at Soldier Field

Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: Light rain, 72 °F (22 °C)
Game attendance: 62,045
TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan and Randy Cross

Game information

Q1 – CIN – 13:46 – Chad Johnson 18-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Shayne Graham kick) (CIN 7–0)

Q1 – CIN – 5:31 – Shayne Graham 33-yard field goal (CIN 10–0)

Q3 – CIN – 7:03 – Chris Henry 36-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Shayne Graham kick) (CIN 17–0)

Q4 – CHI – 13:30 – Thomas Jones 2-yard run (Doug Brien kick) (CIN 17–7)

Q4 – CIN – 11:56 – Chad Johnson 40-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Shayne Graham kick) (CIN 24–7)

This was Chicago's only loss at home during the season.

Week 5: at Cleveland Browns[]

	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	0	3	7	0	10
Browns	3	3	0	14	20

at Cleveland Browns Stadium

Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: 73 °F (23 °C)
Game attendance: 73,079
TV announcers (Fox): Ron Pitts and Tim Ryan

Game information

Q1 – CLE – 4:17 – Phil Dawson 19-yard field goal (CLE 3–0)

Q2 – CHI – 9:01 – Robbie Gould 44-yard field goal (3–3)

Q2 – CLE – 0:37 – Phil Dawson 44-yard field goal (CLE 6–3)

Q3 – CHI – 5:29 – Marc Edwards 8-yard pass from Kyle Orton (Robbie Gould kick) (CHI 10–6)

Q4 – CLE – 3:02 – Antonio Bryant 33-yard pass from Trent Dilfer (Phil Dawson kick) (CLE 13–10)

Q4 – CLE – 2:24 – Antonio Bryant 28-yard pass from Trent Dilfer (Phil Dawson kick) (CLE 20–10)

Week 6: vs. Minnesota Vikings[]

	1	2	3	4	Total
Vikings	0	3	0	0	3
Bears	0	7	7	14	28

at Soldier Field

Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: Sunny, 60 °F (16 °C)
Game attendance: 62,143
TV announcers (Fox): Sam Rosen and Bill Maas

Game information

Q2 – MIN – 6:55 – Paul Edinger 23-yard field goal (MIN 3–0)

Q2 – CHI – 0:37 – Desmond Clark 3-yard pass from Kyle Orton (Robbie Gould kick) (CHI 7–3)

Q3 – CHI – 7:28 – Desmond Clark 2-yard pass from Kyle Orton (Robbie Gould kick) (CHI 14–3)

Q4 – CHI – 13:03 – Thomas Jones 24-yard run (Robbie Gould kick) (CHI 21–3)

Q4 – CHI – 4:11 – Thomas Jones 1-yard run (Robbie Gould kick) (CHI 28–3)

Week 7: vs. Baltimore Ravens[]

	1	2	3	4	Total
Ravens	0	6	0	0	6
Bears	7	0	3	0	10

at Soldier Field

Game time: 4:15 p.m. EST/3:15 p.m. CST
Game weather: Thunderstorms, 46 °F (8 °C)
Game attendance: 62,102
TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle and Solomon Wilcots

Game information

Q1 – CHI – 0:19 – Marc Edwards 9-yard pass from Kyle Orton (Robbie Gould kick) (CHI 7–0)

Q2 – BAL – 8:46 – Matt Stover 40-yard field goal (CHI 7–3)

Q2 – BAL – 0:26 – Matt Stover 29-yard field goal (CHI 7–6)

Q3 – CHI – 2:52 – Robbie Gould 23-yard field goal (CHI 10–6)

Before the game, Bears great Walter Payton, who died in 1999, was honored by teammate Dan Hampton, who played together in the Bears' 1985 season.^[2]

Week 8: at Detroit Lions[]

	1	2	3	4	OT	Total
Bears	0	13	0	0	6	19
Lions	3	0	7	3	0	13

at Ford Field

Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
Game attendance: 61,814
TV announcers (Fox): Ron Pitts and Tim Ryan

Game information

Q1 – DET – 4:11 – Jason Hanson 32-yard field goal (DET 3–0)

Q2 – CHI – 9:29 – Muhsin Muhammad 23-yard pass from Kyle Orton (Robbie Gould kick) (CHI 7–3)

Q2 – CHI – 1:51 – Robbie Gould 38-yard field goal (CHI 10–3)

Q2 – CHI – 0:17 – Robbie Gould 20-yard field goal (CHI 13–3)

Q3 – DET – 3:15 – Kevin Jones 6-yard run (Jason Hanson kick) (CHI 13–10)

Q4 – DET – 13:20 – Jason Hanson 30-yard field goal (13–13)

OT – CHI – 8:43 – Charles Tillman 22-yard interception return (CHI 19–13)

Bears rookie Mark Bradley was placed on injured reserve this game, and was replaced by Justin Gage.^[3] Bradley had recorded 18 receptions for 230 yards at the time of his injury.

Week 9: at New Orleans Saints[]

	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	7	3	7	3	20
Saints	3	7	0	7	17

at Tiger Stadium

Game time: 3:05 p.m. CST
Game attendance: 32,637
TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert and Brian Baldinger

Game information

Q1 – NO – 12:18 – John Carney 22-yard field goal (NO 3-0)

Q1 – CHI – 6:26 – Justin Gage 4-yard pass from Kyle Orton (Robbie Gould kick) (7–3)

Q2 – NO – 9:57 – Donté Stallworth 15-yard pass from Aaron Brooks (John Carney kick) (NO 10-7)

Q2 – CHI – 0:22 – Robbie Gould 35-yard field goal (10–10)

Q3 – CHI – 7:29 – Adrian Peterson 6-yard run (Robbie Gould kick) (CHI 17–10)

Q4 – NO – 7:44 – Aaron Brooks 1-yard run (John Carney kick) (17–17)

Q4 – CHI – 0:06 – Robbie Gould 28-yard field goal (CHI 20–17)

Saints quarterback Aaron Brooks passes against the Bears at Tiger Stadium

Due to damage from Hurricane Katrina to the Louisiana Superdome, the Saints were forced to host the game at LSU's Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge.^[4] The Saints scored first on a John Carney field goal, but the Bears struck back with a Kyle Orton to Justin Gage touchdown pass. After the Saints scored on an Aaron Brooks touchdown pass to Donté Stallworth, Robbie Gould tied the game on a 35-yard field goal. In the second half, Adrian Peterson gave the Bears the lead on a 6-yard run, which was countered with Brooks scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run in the fourth. Orton eventually threw a 22-yard pass to Muhsin Muhammad to set up a game-winning field goal from Gould with six seconds left in the game. Gould eventually scored on a 28-yard field goal to give the Bears a 20–17 lead. The Saints' last chance to march 65 yards to win was crushed when Brooks' pass to Az-Zahir Hakim was intercepted by Nathan Vasher. The win was the Bears' fourth-straight, which hasn't been accomplished by the team since their 2001 season.^[5] In the first quarter, Bears running back Thomas Jones went out with an injury, but his backups Adrian Peterson and Cedric Benson combined for 137 yards and a touchdown.^[3]

Week 10: vs. San Francisco 49ers[]

	1	2	3	4	Total
49ers	0	3	3	3	9
Bears	0	7	0	10	17

at Soldier Field

Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: Overcast, 50 °F (10 °C)
Game attendance: 62,153
TV announcers (Fox): Sam Rosen and Bill Maas

Game information

Q2 – SF – 8:57 – Joe Nedney 30-yard field goal (SF 3–0)

Q2 – CHI – 0:00 – Nathan Vasher 108-yard missed field goal return (Robbie Gould kick) (CHI 7–3)

Q3 – SF – 9:38 – Joe Nedney 34-yard field goal (CHI 7–6)

Q4 – CHI – 14:33 – Adrian Peterson 7-yard run (Robbie Gould kick) (CHI 14–6)

Q4 – SF – 10:54 – Joe Nedney 29-yard field goal (CHI 14–9)

Q4 – CHI – 7:40 – Robbie Gould 37-yard field goal (CHI 17–9)

Week 11: vs. Carolina Panthers[]

	1	2	3	4	Total
Panthers	0	0	0	3	3
Bears	10	3	0	0	13

at Soldier Field

Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: Cloudy, 44 °F (7 °C)
Game attendance: 62,156
TV announcers (Fox): Sam Rosen and Bill Maas

Game information

Q1 – CHI – 11:50 – Muhsin Muhammad 3-yard pass from Kyle Orton (Robbie Gould kick) (CHI 7–0)

Q1 – CHI – 5:41 – Robbie Gould 33-yard field goal (CHI 10–0)

Q2 – CHI – 7:52 – Robbie Gould 39-yard field goal (CHI 13–0)

Q4 – CAR – 8:31 – John Kasay 38-yard field goal (CHI 13–3)

Week 12: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers[]

	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	7	3	3	0	13
Buccaneers	3	0	0	7	10

at Raymond James Stadium

Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: 76 °F (24 °C)
Game attendance: 65,506
TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert and Brian Baldinger

Game information

Q1 – CHI – 11:50 – John Gilmore 1-yard pass from Kyle Orton (Robbie Gould kick) (CHI 7–0)

Q1 – TB – 2:12 – Matt Bryant 27-yard field goal (CHI 7–3)

Q2 – CHI – 0:17 – Robbie Gould 25-yard field goal (CHI 10–3)

Q3 – CHI – 3:47 – Robbie Gould 36-yard field goal (CHI 13–3)

Q4 – TB – 7:00 – Mike Alstott 2-yard run (CHI 13–10)

Week 13: vs. Green Bay Packers[]

	1	2	3	4	Total
Packers	0	7	0	0	7
Bears	0	9	0	10	19

at Soldier Field

Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: Sunny, 24 °F (−4 °C)
Game attendance: 62,177
TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton and Daryl Johnston

Game information

Q2 – CHI – 13:34 – Robbie Gould 21-yard field goal (CHI 3–0)

Q2 – GB – 7:03 – Samkon Gado 2-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick) (GB 7–3)

Q2 – CHI – 4:33 – Robbie Gould 40-yard field goal (GB 7–6)

Q2 – CHI – 0:02 – Robbie Gould 25-yard field goal (CHI 9–7)

Q4 – CHI – 8:22 – Robbie Gould 35-yard field goal (CHI 12–7)

Q4 – CHI – 3:06 – Nathan Vasher 45-yard interception return (Robbie Gould kick) (CHI 19–7)

Week 14: at Pittsburgh Steelers[]

	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	3	0	0	6	9
Steelers	7	7	7	0	21

at Heinz Field

Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: Snow flurries, 30 °F (−1 °C)
Game attendance: 61,237
TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton and Daryl Johnston

Game information

Q1 – PIT – 9:16 – Hines Ward 14-yard pass from Ben Roethlisberger (Jeff Reed kick) (PIT 7–0)

Q1 – CHI – 2:30 – Robbie Gould 29-yard field goal (PIT 7–3)

Q2 – PIT – 7:25 – Jerome Bettis 1-yard run (Jeff Reed kick) (PIT 14–3)

Q3 – PIT – 5:23 – Jerome Bettis 5-yard run (Jeff Reed kick) (PIT 21–3)

Q4 – CHI – 13:38 – Thomas Jones 1-yard run (kick failed) (PIT 21–9)

Week 15: vs. Atlanta Falcons[]

	1	2	3	4	Total
Falcons	0	3	0	0	3
Bears	0	6	10	0	16

at Soldier Field

Game time: 8:30 p.m. EST/7:30 p.m. CST
Game weather: Clear, 8 °F (−13 °C)
Game attendance: 62,170
TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Patrick, Joe Theismann and Paul Maguire

Game information

Q2 – ATL – 10:16 – Todd Peterson 30-yard field goal (ATL 3–0)

Q2 – CHI – 6:33 – Robbie Gould 35-yard field goal (3–3)

Q2 – CHI – 3:20 – Robbie Gould 29-yard field goal (CHI 6–3)

Q3 – CHI – 8:17 – Thomas Jones 1-yard run (Robbie Gould kick) (CHI 13–3)

Q3 – CHI – 0:53 – Robbie Gould 39-yard field goal (CHI 16–3)

Week 16: at Green Bay Packers[]

	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	7	7	10	0	24
Packers	0	7	0	10	17

at Lambeau Field

Game time: 5:00 p.m. EST/4:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: Clear, 34 °F (1 °C)
Game attendance: 69,757
TV announcers (Fox): Sam Rosen and Bill Maas

Game information

Q1 – CHI – 5:00 – Muhsin Muhammad 12-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Robbie Gould kick) (CHI 7–0)

Q2 – GB – 12:05 – Noah Herron 1-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick) (7–7)

Q2 – CHI – 5:05 – Thomas Jones 2-yard run (Robbie Gould kick) (CHI 14–7)

Q3 – CHI – 9:39 – Robbie Gould 45-yard field goal (CHI 17–7)

Q3 – CHI – 4:01 – Lance Briggs 10-yard interception return (Robbie Gould kick) (CHI 24–7)

Q4 – GB – 7:54 – Antonio Chatman 85-yard punt return (Ryan Longwell kick) (CHI 24–14)

Q4 – GB – 1:54 – Ryan Longwell 26-yard field goal (CHI 24–17)

The win marked the first time since 1991 that the Bears swept the Green Bay Packers.^[6]

Week 17: at Minnesota Vikings[]

	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	3	0	0	7	10
Vikings	0	17	7	10	34

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome

Game time: 4:15 p.m. EST/3:15 p.m. CST
Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
Game attendance: 64,023
TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton and Daryl Johnston

Game information

Q1 – CHI – 5:14 – Robbie Gould 22-yard field goal (CHI 3–0)

Q2 – MIN – 14:53 – Paul Edinger 54-yard field goal (3–3)

Q2 – MIN – 7:37 – Ciatrick Fason 2-yard run (Paul Edinger kick) (MIN 10–3)

Q2 – MIN – 0:03 – Travis Taylor 17-yard pass from Brad Johnson (Paul Edinger kick) (MIN 17–3)

Q3 – MIN – 3:58 – Mewelde Moore 7-yard pass from Brad Johnson (Paul Edinger kick) (MIN 24–3)

Q4 – MIN – 14:52 – Paul Edinger 27-yard field goal (MIN 27–3)

Q4 – CHI – 7:08 – Justin Gage 4-yard pass from Jeff Blake (Robbie Gould kick) (MIN 27–10)

Q4 – MIN – 5:10 – Michael Bennett 61-yard run (Paul Edinger kick) (MIN 34–10)

Playoffs[]

NFC Divisional Playoff: vs. Carolina Panthers[]

	1	2	3	4	Total
Panthers	7	9	7	6	29
Bears	0	7	7	7	21

at Soldier Field

Game time: 4:30 p.m. EST/3:30 p.m. CST
Game weather: 42 °F
Game attendance: 62,209
TV announcers (FOX): Joe Buck and Troy Aikman

Game information

Q1 – CAR – 14:05 – 58 yd TD pass from Jake Delhomme to Steve Smith (Kasay kick) (7–0 CAR)

Q2 – CAR – 14:57 – John Kasay 20 yd FG (CAR 10–0)

Q2 – CAR – 6:26 – John Kasay 38 yd FG (CAR 13–0)

Q2 – CHI – 2:58 – Adrian Peterson 1 yd TD run (Robbie Gould kick) (CAR 13–7)

Q2 – CAR – 0:00 – John Kasay 37 yd FG (CAR 16–7)

Q3 – CHI – 11:21 – 1 yd TD pass from Rex Grossman to Desmond Clark (Gould kick) (CAR 16–14)

Q3 – CAR – 2:07 – 39 yd TD pass from Jake Delhomme to Steve Smith (Kasay kick) (CAR 23–14)

Q4 – CHI – 13:23 – Jason McKie 1 yd TD run (Gould kick) (CAR 23–21)

Q4 – CAR – 8:04 – 1 yd TD pass from Jake Delhomme to Kris Mangum (kick failed) (CAR 29–21)

The Bears hosted their first playoff game since the 2001 season against the red hot Panthers, fresh off a victory over Eli Manning and the New York Giants.

Things were bad from the beginning for the Bears, who allowed a 58-yard Jake Delhomme TD pass to Steve Smith just 55 seconds into the game. Cornerback Charles Tillman slipped on the play, and it only signified things to come the rest of the game for the vaunted Bears defense.

The Panthers added two field goals to their total before the Bears got their first points.

The Bears offense got off to a slow start, having their first 5 possessions end in punts. Their first score came midway through the second quarter, when running back Adrian Peterson scored a touchdown on a 1-yard run. The Bears had opted to go for it on 4th down to get the score, cutting the Carolina lead to 13–7. Before the half expired, the Panthers' John Kasay kicked a 37-yard field goal with 5 seconds left in the half, extending the lead to 16–7.

The Bears offense came out at halftime firing on all cylinders, mounting an 8-play, 68-yard drive to close to within 2 points of the Panther lead. It was a balanced drive that led to the score, with the Bears running and passing 5 times each, with Rex Grossman capping the drive with a 1-yard TD pass to Desmond Clark.

The spark provided by the offense was short-lived, as midway through the 3rd quarter, Delhomme went deep to Steve Smith again, this time for a 39-yard touchdown that put the Panthers up 23–14. Chris Thompson, a reserve defensive back for the Bears, fell down on the play to let Smith slip past him.

The Bears managed to score one more time on a drive that started with 2:07 remaining in the 3rd quarter. Grossman completed 3 of 4 passes on the drive, and running back Thomas Jones almost scored on a 7-yard run. After a replay challenge by Carolina, however, the officials reversed the call to say that Jones had fumbled into the endzone, which would have resulted in a Carolina touchback. However, a major facemask penalty on Carolina defensive back Marlon McCree gave Chicago a first down at the Carolina 3. From there, fullback Jason McKie rumbled in for a touchdown, making the score 23–21 to the Panthers.

The Panthers extended their lead once more with a 1-yard Delhomme pass to tight end Kris Mangum. Kasay missed the extra point try though, making the Panthers' lead 29–21.

When the Bears offense started moving the ball once more, disaster struck for the Bears, as on a 3rd-and-10 play from the Carolina 37-yard line, Grossman threw an ill-advised interception to Ken Lucas.

References[]

^ ^a ^b "Second major injury in two years for Bears QB". ESPN. 2005-08-13. Retrieved 2019-11-28.
^ America's Game: The Super Bowl Champions, "#2. 1985 Chicago Bears." Premiered on CBS, Feb. 3, 2007
^ ^a ^b "NFL Game Center: Chicago Bears at New Orleans Saints – 2005 Week 9". NFL.com. Archived from the original on January 29, 2013. Retrieved August 5, 2012.
^ "Saints' home games: 4 at LSU, 3 in Alamodome". ESPN. September 12, 2005. Retrieved August 5, 2012.
^ "Chicago Bears vs. New Orleans Saints – Recap". ESPN. November 6, 2005. Retrieved August 5, 2012.
^ Mayer, Larry (2013-12-25). "Was schedule different due to holiday?". Chicago Bears. Archived from the original on 2013-12-28. Retrieved 2013-12-27.

External links[]

2005 Chicago Bears Season at www.bearshistory.com

[ESPN-1] "Second major injury in two years for Bears QB". ESPN. 2005-08-13. Retrieved 2019-11-28.

[2] America's Game: The Super Bowl Champions, "#2. 1985 Chicago Bears." Premiered on CBS, Feb. 3, 2007

[NFL-3] "NFL Game Center: Chicago Bears at New Orleans Saints – 2005 Week 9". NFL.com. Archived from the original on January 29, 2013. Retrieved August 5, 2012.

[4] "Saints' home games: 4 at LSU, 3 in Alamodome". ESPN. September 12, 2005. Retrieved August 5, 2012.

[5] "Chicago Bears vs. New Orleans Saints – Recap". ESPN. November 6, 2005. Retrieved August 5, 2012.

[6] Mayer, Larry (2013-12-25). "Was schedule different due to holiday?". Chicago Bears. Archived from the original on 2013-12-28. Retrieved 2013-12-27.

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v t Chicago Bears
Founded in 1920 Formerly the Decatur Staleys (1920) and the Chicago Staleys (1921) Based in Chicago, Illinois Headquartered in Lake Forest, Illinois
Franchise	History Coaches Seasons Current season
Records	Franchise records All-time record versus NFL Team awards and honors Players Head coaches Pro Football Hall of Famers First-round draft picks Starting quarterbacks
Stadiums	Staley Field Wrigley Field Memorial Stadium Soldier Field
Culture	Brian's Song 1971 2001 Brian Piccolo Award "Bear Down, Chicago Bears" "The Super Bowl Shuffle" Monsters of the Midway "Sweet Home Chicago" Bill Swerski's Superfans Chuck Swirsky Chicago Honey Bears Staley Da Bear Logos and uniforms Halas Hall A. E. Staley Jack Brickhouse George Halas Mike Ditka Roosevelt/Wabash 85386 Payton Jim Cornelison Club Dub ("Swag Surfin")
Lore	Staley Swindle 1932 Playoff Game First NFL Championship Game "The Sneakers Game" T formation 73–0 15–1 Super Bowl XX 46 defense Fog Bowl Cardiac Kids “They are who we thought they were“ "Double Doink"
Rivalries	Arizona Cardinals Detroit Lions Green Bay Packers Minnesota Vikings New York Giants
Minor league affiliates	Newark Bears (AA, 1939–1941) Akron Bears (AFL, 1946) Bloomfield Cardinals (AFL, 1947) Richmond Rebels (AFL, 1948–1950)
Retired numbers	3 5 7 28 34 40 41 42 51 56 61 66 77 89
Key personnel	Principal owner: Virginia Halas McCaskey Chairman: George McCaskey President/CEO: Ted Phillips General Manager: Ryan Pace Head Coach: Matt Nagy
Division championships (21)	1933 1934 1937 1940 1941 1942 1943 1946 1956 1963 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1990 2001 2005 2006 2010 2018
Conference championships (4)	1956 1963 1985 2006
League championships (9)	1921 1932 1933 1940 1941 1943 1946 1963 1985 (XX)
Media	Broadcasters Radio: WBBM (AM) WCFS-FM (FM simulcast of WBBM) Personnel: Jeff Joniak (play-by-play) Tom Thayer (analyst) Zach Zaidman (sideline reporter and radio coach's show host) Television: WFLD (pre-season and most regular season games through Fox, official pre-game and post-game alternate) WPWR (official post-game) NBC Sports Chicago (in-season team programming) Personnel: Lou Canellis (gameday television host, pre-season sideline reporter) Sam Rosen (pre-season play-by-play) Jim Miller (pre-season analyst)
Current league affiliations	League: National Football League Conference: National Football Conference Division: North Division
:Category:Chicago Bears WikiProject Chicago Bears

v t Chicago Bears seasons
Formerly the Decatur Staleys (1920) and the Chicago Staleys (1921)
1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Bold indicates NFL Championship (1920–69) or Super Bowl (1966–present) victory Italics indicates NFL Championship (1920–69) or Super Bowl (1966–present) appearance