2005 Chicago Bears season

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

The 2005 Chicago Bears season was their 86th regular season and 24th post-season completed in the National Football League. The club posted an 11–5 record, earning them their first NFC North title and the second seed in the NFC for the playoffs.

The season started off with the club 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 began the season on a negative note, 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.

Offseason

NFL Draft

2005 Chicago Bears draft
Round	Pick	Player	Position	College	Notes
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

Date	Opponent	Score
August 8, 2005	vs Miami Dolphins	W 27–24
August 12, 2005	at St. Louis Rams	L 17–13
August 20, 2005	at Indianapolis Colts	W 24–17
August 26, 2005	Buffalo Bills	W 16-12
September 1, 2005	Cleveland Browns	L 16–6

Personnel

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 – Greg Gabriel 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 – Don Johnson 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

Chicago Bears 2005 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 RB 32 Cedric Benson Wide Receivers 80 Bernard Berrian 19 Carl Ford 16 Mark Bradley 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 59 Joe Odom 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

Regular season

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Game site	TV	Record
1	September 11, 2005	Washington Redskins	L 9–7	FedEx Field	FOX	0–1
2	September 18, 2005	Detroit Lions	W 38–6	Soldier Field	FOX	1–1
3	September 25, 2005	Cincinnati Bengals	L 24–7	Soldier Field	CBS	1–2
4	Bye
5	October 9, 2005	Cleveland Browns	L 20–10	Cleveland Browns Stadium	FOX	1–3
6	October 16, 2005	Minnesota Vikings	W 28–3	Soldier Field	FOX	2–3
7	October 23, 2005	Baltimore Ravens	W 10–6	Soldier Field	CBS	3–3
8	October 30, 2005	Detroit Lions	W 19–13	Ford Field	FOX	4–3
9	November 6, 2005	New Orleans Saints	W 20–17	Tiger Stadium	FOX	5–3
10	November 13, 2005	San Francisco 49ers	W 17–9	Soldier Field	FOX	6–3
11	November 20, 2005	Carolina Panthers	W 13–3	Soldier Field	FOX	7–3
12	November 27, 2005	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	W 13–10	Raymond James Stadium	FOX	8–3
13	December 4, 2005	Green Bay Packers	W 19–7	Soldier Field	FOX	9–3
14	December 11, 2005	Pittsburgh Steelers	L 21–9	Heinz Field	FOX	9–4
15	December 18, 2005	Atlanta Falcons	W 16–3	Soldier Field	ESPN	10–4
16	December 25, 2005	Green Bay Packers	W 24–17	Lambeau Field	FOX	11–4
17	January 1, 2006	Minnesota Vikings	L 34–10	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	FOX	11–5

Standings

NFC North
	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

Week-by-Week results

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
• Game attendance: 90,138
• TV announcers (FOX): Dick Stockton and Daryl Johnston

Game information
Q2 – WAS – 7:34 – John Hall 40 yd FG (WAS 3–0) Q2 – WAS – 1:00 – John Hall 43 yd FG (WAS 6–0) Q3 – CHI – 11:28 – Thomas Jones 1 yd TD run (Doug Brien kick) (CHI 7–6) Q3 – WAS – 2:54 – John Hall 19 yd FG (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: 81°F (Sunny)
• Game attendance: 62,019
• TV announcers (FOX): Joe Buck and Troy Aikman

Game information

Q1 – CHI – 10:10 – Thomas Jones 3 yd TD run (Doug Brien kick) (CHI 7–0) Q1 – DET – 9:54 – 51 yd TD pass from Joey Harrington to Roy Williams (kick failed) (CHI 7–6) Q1 – CHI – 6:04 – Doug Brien 48 yd FG (CHI 10–6) Q2 – CHI – 11:34 – Bobby Wade 73 yd punt return TD (Brien kick) (CHI 17–6) Q2 – CHI – 1:14 – 28 yd TD pass from Kyle Orton to Muhsin Muhammad (Brien kick) (CHI 24–6) Q2 – CHI – 0:57 – Mike Brown 41 yd interception return TD (Brien kick) (CHI 31–6) Q4 – CHI – 12:13 – Thomas Jones 16 yd TD run (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: 72°F (Light Rain)
• Game attendance: 62,045
• TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan and Randy Cross

Game information

Q1 – CIN – 13:46 – 18 yd TD pass from Carson Palmer to Chad Johnson (Shayne Graham kick) (CIN 7–0) Q1 – CIN – 5:31 – Shayne Graham 33 yd FG (CIN 10–0) Q3 – CIN – 7:03 – 36 yd TD pass from Carson Palmer to Chris Henry (Graham kick) (CIN 17–0) Q4 – CHI – 13:30 – Thomas Jones 2 yd TD run (Doug Brien kick) (CIN 17–7) Q4 – CIN – 11:56 – 40 yd TD pass from Carson Palmer to Chad Johnson (Graham kick) (CIN 24–7)

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
• Game attendance: 73,079
• TV announcers (FOX): Ron Pitts and Tim Ryan

Game information

Q1 – CLE – 4:17 – Phil Dawson 19 yd FG (CLE 3–0) Q2 – CHI – 9:01 – Robbie Gould 44 yd FG (3–3) Q2 – CLE – 0:37 – Phil Dawson 44 yd FG (CLE 6–3) Q3 – CHI – 5:29 – 8 yd TD pass from Kyle Orton to Marc Edwards (Gould kick) (CHI 10–6) Q4 – CLE – 3:02 – 33 yd TD pass from Trent Dilfer to Antonio Bryant (Dawson kick) (CLE 13–10) Q4 – CLE – 2:24 – 28 yd TD pass from Trent Dilfer to Antonio Bryant (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: 60°F (Sunny)

  Q2 – MIN – 6:55 – Paul Edinger 23 yd FG (MIN 3–0)

  Q2 – CHI – 0:37 – 3 yd TD pass from Kyle Orton to Desmond Clark (Robbie Gould kick) (CHI 7–3)

  Q3 – CHI – 7:28 – 2 yd TD pass from Kyle Orton to Desmond Clark (Gould kick) (CHI 14–3)

  Q4 – CHI – 13:03 – Thomas Jones 24 yd TD run (Gould kick) (CHI 21–3)

  Q4 – CHI – 4:11 – Thomas Jones 1 yd TD run (Gould kick) (CHI 28–3)

• Game attendance: 62,143
• TV announcers (FOX): Sam Rosen and Bill Maas

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: 46°F (Thunderstorms)
• Game attendance: 62,102
• TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle and Solomon Wilcots

Game information
Q1 – CHI – 0:19 – 9 yd TD pass from Kyle Orton to Marc Edwards (Robbie Gould kick) (CHI 7–0) Q2 – BAL – 8:46 – Matt Stover 40 yd FG (CHI 7–3) Q2 – BAL – 0:26 – Matt Stover 29 yd FG (CHI 7–6) Q3 – CHI – 2:52 – Robbie Gould 23 yd FG (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 yd FG (DET 3–0) Q2 – CHI – 9:29 – 23 yd TD pass from Kyle Orton to Muhsin Muhammad (Robbie Gould kick) (CHI 7–3) Q2 – CHI – 1:51 – Robbie Gould 38 yd FG (CHI 10–3) Q2 – CHI – 0:17 – Robbie Gould 20 yd FG (CHI 13–3) Q3 – DET – 3:15 – Kevin Jones 6 yd TD run (Hanson kick) (CHI 13–10) Q4 – DET – 13:20 – Jason Hanson 30 yd FG (13–13) OT – CHI – 8:43 – Charles Tillman 22 yd interception return TD (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: 4:05 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
• Game attendance: 32,637
• TV announcers (FOX): Kenny Albert and Brian Baldinger

Game information

Q1 – NO – 12:18 – John Carney 22 yd FG (NO 3-0) Q1 – CHI – 6:26 – 4 yd TD pass from Kyle Orton to Justin Gage (Robbie Gould kick) (7–3) Q2 – NO – 9:57 – 15 yd TD pass from Aaron Brooks to Donte' Stallworth (Carney kick) (NO 10-7) Q2 – CHI – 0:22 – Robbie Gould 35 yd FG (10–10) Q3 – CHI – 7:29 – Adrian Peterson 6 yd TD run (Gould kick) (CHI 17–10) Q4 – NO – 7:44 – Aaron Brooks 1 yd TD run (Carney kick) (17–17) Q4 – CHI – 0:06 – Robbie Gould 28 yd FG (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 Donte' 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 would combine 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: 50°F (Overcast, Windy 38 MPH)
• Game attendance: 62,153
• TV announcers (FOX): Sam Rosen and Bill Maas

Game information
Q2 – SF – 8:57 – Joe Nedney 30 yd FG (SF 3–0) Q2 – CHI – 0:00 – Nathan Vasher 108 yd missed FG return TD (Robbie Gould kick) (CHI 7–3) Q3 – SF – 9:38 – Joe Nedney 34 yd FG (CHI 7–6) Q4 – CHI – 14:33 – Adrian Peterson 7 yd TD run (Gould kick) (CHI 14–6) Q4 – SF – 10:54 – Joe Nedney 29 yd FG (CHI 14–9) Q4 – CHI – 7:40 – Robbie Gould 37 yd FG (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: 44°F (Cloudy)
• Game attendance: 62,156
• TV announcers (FOX): Sam Rosen and Bill Maas

Game information
Q1 – CHI – 11:50 – 3 yd TD pass from Kyle Orton to Muhsin Muhammad (Robbie Gould kick) (CHI 7–0) Q1 – CHI – 5:41 – Robbie Gould 33 yd FG (CHI 10–0) Q2 – CHI – 7:52 – Robbie Gould 39 yd FG (CHI 13–0) Q4 – CAR – 8:31 – John Kasay 38 yd FG (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
• Game attendance: 65,506
• TV announcers (FOX): Kenny Albert and Brian Baldinger

Game information
Q1 – CHI – 11:50 – 1 yd TD pass from Kyle Orton to John Gilmore (Robbie Gould kick) (CHI 7–0) Q1 – TB – 2:12 – Matt Bryant 27 yd FG (CHI 7–3) Q2 – CHI – 0:17 – Robbie Gould 25 yd FG (CHI 10–3) Q3 – CHI – 3:47 – Robbie Gould 36 yd FG (CHI 13–3) Q4 – TB – 7:00 – Mike Alstott 2 yd TD 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: 24°F (Sunny)
• Game attendance: 62,177
• TV announcers (FOX): Dick Stockton and Daryl Johnston

Game information
Q2 – CHI – 13:34 – Robbie Gould 21 yd FG (CHI 3–0) Q2 – GB – 7:03 – Samkon Gado 2 yd TD run (Ryan Longwell kick) (GB 7–3) Q2 – CHI – 4:33 – Robbie Gould 40 yd FG (GB 7–6) Q2 – CHI – 0:02 – Robbie Gould 25 yd FG (CHI 9–7) Q4 – CHI – 8:22 – Robbie Gould 35 yd FG (CHI 12–7) Q4 – CHI – 3:06 – Nathan Vasher 45 yd interception return TD (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: 30 °F (Snow Flurries)
• Game attendance: 61,237
• TV announcers (FOX): Dick Stockton and Daryl Johnston

Game information
Q1 – PIT – 9:16 – 14 yd TD pass from Ben Roethlisberger to Hines Ward (Jeff Reed kick) (PIT 7–0) Q1 – CHI – 2:30 – Robbie Gould 29 yd FG (PIT 7–3) Q2 – PIT – 7:25 – Jerome Bettis 1 yd TD run (Reed kick) (PIT 14–3) Q3 – PIT – 5:23 – Jerome Bettis 5 yd TD run (Reed kick) (PIT 21–3) Q4 – CHI – 13:38 – Thomas Jones 1 yd TD 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: 8°F (Clear)-18 Wind Chill
• Game attendance: 62,170
• TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Patrick, Joe Theismann and Paul Maguire

Game information
Q2 – ATL – 10:16 – Todd Peterson 30 yd FG (ATL 3–0) Q2 – CHI – 6:33 – Robbie Gould 35 yd FG (3–3) Q2 – CHI – 3:20 – Robbie Gould 29 yd FG (CHI 6–3) Q3 – CHI – 8:17 – Thomas Jones 1 yd TD run (Gould kick) (CHI 13–3) Q3 – CHI – 0:53 – Robbie Gould 39 yd FG (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: 34 (Clear) °F
• Game attendance: 69,757
• TV announcers (FOX): Sam Rosen and Bill Maas

Game information

Q1 – CHI – 5:00 – 12 yd TD pass from Rex Grossman to Muhsin Muhammad (Robbie Gould kick) (CHI 7–0) Q2 – GB – 12:05 – Noah Herron 1 yd TD run (Ryan Longwell kick) (7–7) Q2 – CHI – 5:05 – Thomas Jones 2 yd TD run (Gould kick) (CHI 14–7) Q3 – CHI – 9:39 – Robbie Gould 45 yd FG (CHI 17–7) Q3 – CHI – 4:01 – Lance Briggs 10 yd interception return TD (Gould kick) (CHI 24–7) Q4 – GB – 7:54 – Antonio Chatman 85 yd punt return TD (Longwell kick) (CHI 24–14) Q4 – GB – 1:54 – Ryan Longwell 26 yd FG (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 (Domed Stadium)
• Game attendance: 64,023
• TV announcers (FOX): Dick Stockton and Daryl Johnston

Game information

Q1 – CHI – 5:14 – Robbie Gould 22 yd FG (CHI 3–0) Q2 – MIN – 14:53 – Paul Edinger 54 yd FG (3–3) Q2 – MIN – 7:37 – Ciatrick Fason 2 yd TD run (Edinger kick) (MIN 10–3) Q2 – MIN – 0:03 – 17 yd TD pass from Brad Johnson to Travis Taylor (Edinger kick) (MIN 17–3) Q3 – MIN – 3:58 – 7 yd TD pass from Brad Johnson to Mewelde Moore (Edinger kick) (MIN 24–3) Q4 – MIN – 14:52 – Paul Edinger 27 yd FG (MIN 27–3) Q4 – CHI – 7:08 – 4 yd TD pass from Jeff Blake to Justin Gage (Gould kick) (MIN 27–10) Q4 – MIN – 5:10 – Michael Bennett 61 yd TD run (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 would host 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 would only signify things to come the rest of the game for the vaunted Bears defense.

The Panthers would add 2 field goals to their total before the Bears would get 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 would be 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 would manage to score one more time on a drive that started with 2:07 remaining in the 3rd quarter. Grossman would complete 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 would give Chicago a first down at the Carolina 3. From there, fullback Jason McKie would rumble in for a touchdown, making the score 23–21 in favor of the Panthers.

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

When the Bears offense would start 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

1. "Second major injury in two years for Bears QB – NFL – ESPN". Sports.espn.go.com. 2005-08-13. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
2. America's Game: The Super Bowl Champions, "#2. 1985 Chicago Bears." Premiered on CBS, Feb. 3, 2007
3. "NFL Game Center: Chicago Bears at New Orleans Saints – 2005 Week 9". Nfl.com. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
4. "Saints' home games: 4 at LSU, 3 in Alamodome – NFL – ESPN". Sports.espn.go.com. 2005-09-12. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
5.   (2005-11-06). "Chicago Bears vs. New Orleans Saints – Recap – November 06, 2005 – ESPN". Scores.espn.go.com. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
6. Mayer, Larry (2013-12-25). "Was schedule different due to holiday?". Chicago Bears. Retrieved 2013-12-27.

External links

• 2005 Chicago Bears Season at www.bearshistory.com