Why Is It Always the Dolphins?

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Nov 6, 2006 2:30PM

Chicagoist remembers back when we were eight years old, and our beloved Chicago Bears looked like they could run the table on the way to Super Bowl XX. Until an ugly Monday night in Miami, and the Dolphins saved the day for their 1972 team's claim to the only undefeated season.

History repeated itself on Sunday, as the 7-0 Bears met the 1-6 Dolphins at Soldier Field and again suffered their first loss against Miami. It wasn't just a loss, it was another ugly loss, with the Dolphins beating the Bears 31-13.

It was very much like the Arizona game ... but without the late-game comeback this time. Turnovers cost the Bears dearly. Grossman threw 3 interceptions, and the Bears also lost three fumbles -- one each by Devan Hester, Rex Grossman and Justin Gage. Those six turnovers resulted in 21 of the Dolphins' 31 points. The offense looked out of sync the whole game, and the turnovers repeatedly gave Miami short fields in which to work. The two teams were nearly identical in terms of total yards and time of possession, yet the Dolphins put 18 more points on the board.

Adding injury to insult, a number of key members of the Bears left the field early. Bernard Barrian left in first half with a rib injury, and Brian Urlacher left late in the game after hurting his foot. The extent of both injuries is still unknown -- but the Bears can't afford to be without either one as they head into the next part of their schedule.

The Bears play three road games in a row, with the Giants in primetime next week, the Jets the following week, and then the Patriots. While the Jets are 4-4, the Giants and Patriots are currently both 6-2. It was one of those games that Chicagoist figured would blemish the Bears' perfect season. Now, could the Bears actually finish November with a losing record?

Or will this loss rekindle a fire in the team just in time? Tommie Harris says the team might be getting too complacent, and few things can stop complacancy dead it its tracks like a loss to a one-win team. Let's just hope that's the way they take it.

While this loss certainly stings -- and after not experiencing a Bears loss for nearly 10 months, it does sting -- at least we can take solace that, even during that magical 1985 season -- the season that will forever define this great city and our great team -- the Bears did in fact lose a game. To the Dolphins. And then, we won the Super Bowl.