Bears Buck Broncos
By Benjy Lipsman in News on Nov 26, 2007 4:30PM
Chicagoist almost turned off the TV when the Denver Broncos scored to go up 34-20 on the Bears on Sunday, and we're willing to bet a fair share of the Bears fans at Soldier Field fled the cold rain about then as well. Fortunately, we decided to stick it out and saw a most improbable win, as the Bears scored two late touchdowns to tie the game and Robbie Gould kicked a field goal in OT to give the Bears a 37-34 victory.
For the first three quarters, the Bears' anemic offense needed Devin Hester to pick up its slack. Even when given great field position due to turnovers and returns to midfield, the offense managed just two field goals while displaying all the hallmarks of the Bears' "O" thus far. Rex Grossman fumbles? Check! Dropped balls by the wide receivers? Check! Big plays negated by penalties? Check! Ineffective running game? Check! Adding injury to insult, Cedric Benson had to leave the game with a leg injury after actually breaking off a nice 21-yard run.
Meanwhile, the Bears return specialist returned a punt 75 yards and a kickoff 88 yards for a pair of TDs in the third quarter — each tying the game. Touchdowns on two consecutive possessions by the Broncos seemingly put the game out of reach for the Bears.
But special teams proved they were more than just Hester, as Peanut Tillman blocked a punt the lead to a quick Adrian Peterson TD. We began to wonder ... could they pull this off?
Getting the ball back with less than three minutes remaining on the clock, Rex Grossman led the Bears on their first extended drive of the game before hitting Bernard Berrian in the end zone with 28 seconds remaining in the game.
In OT, the Bears locked up the victory without letting the Broncos even take possession. Having won the coin toss, the Bears drove 55 yards before lining up Robbie Gould for the game-winning kick.
With this victory, the Bears improve to 5-6. While technically still alive for the playoffs, all this talk about the postseason remains silly talk. Hell, they've yet to even win consecutive games this season. Until they notch at least nine wins, we banish any serious discussions of playoffs. Got it?
Photo by REUTERS/John Gress.