2001 Chicago Bears season

Infobox NFL_season
team = Chicago Bears
year = 2001
record = 13-3
division_place = 1st NFC Central
coach = Dick Jauron
stadium = Soldier Field
playoffs = L NFC Divisional PlayoffThe 2001 Chicago Bears season was their 82nd regular season and 23rd postseason completed in the National Football League. The club posted a surprising 13-3 record under head coach Dick Jauron en route to an NFC Central title and the number two seed in the NFC. Led by the comeback abilities of Jim Miller in Week 2, the Bears with a pair of back to back miracle game winning interception touchdown returns by Mike Brown seemed like a team of destiny, but it was not to be as the Bears were upset at home by the Philadelphia Eagles 33-19 in the playoffs.

Uniform combinations

eason Narrative

The Bears surprised most with a breakout campaign in 2001. After they lost their first game of the season to the Super Bowl XXXV Champion Baltimore Ravens 17-6 on the road, the Bears won their next six games, starting with a 17-10 victory against their division rival, the Minnesota Vikings in the Bears' home-opener. They carried their momentum through the Week 3 Bye and won on the road against the Atlanta Falcons (31-3). Then, they went back home and won against the Arizona Cardinals 20-13. Afterwards, they went on the road and shut out the Cincinnati Bengals 24-0. After that, they went home for three games. They won against the San Francisco 49ers (37-31) and the Cleveland Browns (27-21). Both were won in overtime and both had the same end result. In both games, Safety Mike Brown capped remarkable comebacks (the Bears trailed 28-9 in the third quarter against San Francisco, and 21-7 with seconds remaining against Cleveland) by returning an interception in overtime for a touchdown. Unfortunately, the Green Bay Packers (their historic rival) made them bury their win streak at home, with a final score of 20-12. Fortunately, the Bears would win their next three games. First, they won on the road against their former division rival, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27-24. Then, they traveled to the Metrodome and swept the Vikings (13-6). Then, when their divisions rival the Detroit Lions came to town, the Bears defended their turf and won 13-10. Unfortunately, the Bears traveled to Lambeau Field and were swept by the Packers 17-7. Fortunately, that would be their last loss of the regular season. The Bears would win their last four games against the Buccaneers at home (27-3), the Washington Redskins (20-15), the Lions on the road (24-0), and then their season-finale against the Jacksonville Jaguars (33-13). The Bears ended the regular season with a 13-3 record. The Bears ended their magical season on a sour note, losing 33-19 to the Philadelphia Eagles in the divisional round of the NFC playoffs at Soldier Field.

External links

* [http://www.bearshistory.com/seasons/2001chicagobears.aspx 2001 Chicago Bears Season at www.bearshistory.com]