Bears Bungle Playoff Chances
By Matt Motyka in News on Dec 29, 2008 7:45PM
Watching Philly thump Dallas could have been a sweet sight for Bears fans late Sunday afternoon, but instead Chicago's 31-24 loss to Houston made it a bitter pill to swallow.
Here's the breakdown: A Minnesota win, regardless of the Bears/ Texans outcome, would lock up the division for the Vikes. Ryan Longwell accomplished that with a last-second, 50-yard boot. But a win by the Bears and losses by both tumbling Tampa and Dallas would give Chicago a back door entrance to the Wild Card spot. It turns out the Bucs and the 'Boys obliged, but the Bears just couldn't help themselves.
Down 24-17 midway through the fourth and in desperate need of a defensive stand, the Bears were about to climb aboard an emotional rollercoaster. First, a 47-yard gash by Houston's Steve Slaton put Chicago on its heels. The Bears then surrendered a touchdown run to Slaton, but it was mercifully brought back on a holding call. Looking for redemption on the next play, Anthony Adams forced Slaton to cough it up and Danieal Manning recovered to seemingly preserve Chicago's season, only to have the play challenged, reviewed and reversed. With the ball back in his hands, Slaton reclaimed his TD and dealt the Bears a ten-gallon death blow. Kyle Orton and the Bears mounted an impressive scoring drive on the ensuing possession, but the game clock had dwindled to only 1:30 by the time he found the end zone on a QB keeper. As Robbie Gould's last-ditch onside kick slowly tumbled away from the coverage team and into Houston's hands, so did the Bears' playoff hopes.
The game started on a high note, as Chicago lassoed an early lead on the rejuvenated arm of Orton. A 15-yard strike to Devin Hester combined with a roughing the passer penalty set up a leaping, touchdown grab for Brandon Lloyd. Back on defense, Charles Tillman jarred the ball loose from Slaton's clutches, giving the Bears possession in Texans territory. Robbie Gould converted a 37 yarder to bump the Bears' lead to 10-0 going into the second quarter.
Houston's phenom receiver Andre Johnson would break through soon thereafter, scoring twice. Ryan Moats added another as Houston racked up three unanswered touchdowns. The Bears would get one back on a tidy seven-play drive culminating in an Orton-to-Olsen score, but the Texans would tack on a field goal to push the lead back to seven.
Even though it was a season that exceeded expectations, the Bears and their fans can't help feeling disappointed with the way this one ended. The emergence of rookie runner Matt Forte and several strong outings from Orton should keep some chins up until the next go-round. Until then... Go 'Hawks!
AP Photo