The 2001 Chicago Bears season was their 82nd regular season and 23rd postseason completed in the National Football League. The team finished with a 13–3 record under head coach Dick Jauron en route to an NFC Central title and the number two seed in the NFC. With former 1st round pick Cade McNown being traded during training camp, the Bears were led by Jim Miller. The team had five comeback wins during the season, including two straight improbable wins where safety Mike Brown returned an interception for the game-winning touchdown in overtime. However, the Bears were upset at home by the Philadelphia Eagles 33–19 in the NFC Divisional playoffs.
Offseason
Draft choices
Staff
2001 Chicago Bears staff |
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Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
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Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
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Roster
2001 Chicago Bears final roster |
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Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
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Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
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Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
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Reserve lists
Practice squad
Rookies in italics 56 Active, 0 Inactive, 0 Practice squad
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Season narrative
The Bears surprised most with a breakout campaign in 2001. After losing the opening 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).
The Bears returned home and won against the Arizona Cardinals 20–13. After a road shutout of the Cincinnati Bengals 24–0 the Bears played three home games. The first two games of this stretch were back-to-back overtime wins, first against the San Francisco 49ers (37–31), then against the Cleveland Browns (27–21). Both times 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) buried the Bears’ win streak at home, 20–12. The Bears rebounded, winning their next three games. They first defeated then-division rival Tampa Bay 27–24. A season sweep of the Vikings (13–6) followed, then the Bears defended their turf against the Detroit Lions 13–10.
The Bears then traveled to Lambeau Field and were swept by the Packers 17–7. Once again the Bears rebounded, winning their last four games, against the Buccaneers at home (27–3), the 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 entered the playoffs with the league’s top defense (allowing a league-low 203 points), an offense ranked 11th in points scored (338 points), and a plus-13 turnover differential (4th in the league), but their magical season ended on a sour note, losing 33–19 to the Philadelphia Eagles in the divisional round of the NFC playoffs at Soldier Field.
Schedule
Week |
Date |
Opponent |
Result |
TV Time |
Attendance |
1 |
September 9, 2001 |
at Baltimore Ravens |
L 17–6 |
FOX 12:00pm |
69,365
|
2 |
September 23, 2001 |
Minnesota Vikings |
W 17–10 |
FOX 12:00pm |
66,944
|
3 |
Bye |
4 |
October 7, 2001 |
at Atlanta Falcons |
W 31–3 |
FOX 12:00pm |
46,483
|
5 |
October 14, 2001 |
Arizona Cardinals |
W 20–13 |
FOX 12:00pm |
66,944
|
6 |
October 21, 2001 |
at Cincinnati Bengals |
W 24–0 |
FOX 12:00pm |
63,408
|
7 |
October 28, 2001 |
San Francisco 49ers |
W 37–31 |
FOX 12:00pm |
66,944
|
8 |
November 4, 2001 |
Cleveland Browns |
W 27–21 |
CBS 3:15pm |
66,944
|
9 |
November 11, 2001 |
Green Bay Packers |
L 20–12 |
FOX 12:00pm |
66,944
|
10 |
November 18, 2001 |
at Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
W 27–24 |
FOX 3:15pm |
65,612
|
11 |
November 25, 2001 |
at Minnesota Vikings |
W 13–6 |
ESPN 7:30pm |
64,214
|
12 |
December 2, 2001 |
Detroit Lions |
W 13–10 |
FOX 12:00pm |
66,944
|
13 |
December 9, 2001 |
at Green Bay Packers |
L 17–7 |
FOX 12:00pm |
59,869
|
14 |
December 16, 2001 |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
W 27–3 |
FOX 12:00pm |
66,944
|
15 |
December 23, 2001 |
at Washington Redskins |
W 20–15 |
FOX 12:00pm |
78,884
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16 |
December 30, 2001 |
at Detroit Lions |
W 24–0 |
FOX 12:00pm |
76,067
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17 |
January 6, 2002 |
Jacksonville Jaguars |
W 33–13 |
CBS 12:00pm |
66,944
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Game summaries
Week 1
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
Bears |
3 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
6 |
• Ravens |
0 |
3 |
7 |
7 |
17 |
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[1]
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Week 2
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
Vikings |
3 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
10 |
• Bears |
0 |
0 |
3 |
14 |
17 |
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[2]
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Week 4
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
• Bears |
0 |
10 |
0 |
21 |
31 |
Falcons |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
|
|
[3]
|
Week 5
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
Cardinals |
0 |
6 |
0 |
7 |
13 |
• Bears |
3 |
10 |
7 |
0 |
20 |
- Date: October 14
- Location: Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
- Game start: 12:00 p.m.
- Game weather: 54 °F (12.2 °C) • Wind 11 miles per hour (18 km/h; 9.6 kn)
- Referee: Johnny Grier
- TV announcers (Fox): Curt Menefee, Brian Baldinger
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Scoring summary |
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1 |
|
CHI |
Paul Edinger 46-yard field goal |
Bears 3–0 |
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2 |
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ARI |
Bill Gramatica 40-yard field goal |
Tie 3–3 |
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2 |
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CHI |
James Allen 1-yard run (Paul Edinger kick) |
Bears 10–3 |
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2 |
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ARI |
Bill Gramatica 47-yard field goal |
Bears 10–6 |
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2 |
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CHI |
Paul Edinger 43-yard field goal |
Bears 13–6 |
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3 |
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CHI |
R.W. McQuarters 69-yard fumble return (Paul Edinger kick) |
Bears 20–6 |
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4 |
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ARI |
Frank Sanders 7-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Bill Gramatica kick) |
Bears 20–13 |
[4]
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Week 6
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1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
• Bears |
3 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
24 |
Bengals |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
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[5]
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Week 7
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1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
OT |
Total |
49ers |
14 |
0 |
14 |
3 |
0 |
31 |
• Bears |
0 |
9 |
7 |
15 |
6 |
37 |
- Date: October 28
- Location: Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
- Game start: 12:00 p.m.
- Game weather: 40 °F (4.4 °C), wind 12 miles per hour (19 km/h; 10 kn)
- Referee: Dick Hantak
- TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Tim Green, and Dan Jiggetts
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Scoring summary |
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1 |
|
SF |
Julian Peterson 26-yard fumble return (Jose Cortez kick) |
49ers 7–0 |
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1 |
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SF |
Justin Swift 1-yard pass from Jeff Garcia (Jose Cortez kick) |
49ers 14–0 |
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2 |
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CHI |
Safety, ball fumbled out of end zone |
49ers 14–2 |
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2 |
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CHI |
Daimon Shelton 3-yard pass from Shane Matthews (Paul Edinger kick) |
49ers 14–9 |
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3 |
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SF |
Garrison Hearst 60-yard pass from Jeff Garcia (Jose Cortez kick) |
49ers 21–9 |
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3 |
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SF |
Zack Bronson 97-yard interception return (Jose Cortez kick) |
49ers 28–9 |
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3 |
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CHI |
Anthony Thomas 19-yard run (Paul Edinger kick) |
49ers 28–16 |
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4 |
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SF |
Jose Cortez 40-yard field goal |
49ers 31–16 |
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4 |
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CHI |
David Terrell 13-yard pass from Shane Matthews (Paul Edinger kick) |
49ers 31–23 |
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4 |
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CHI |
David Terrell 4-yard pass from Shane Matthews (Anthony Thomas run) |
Tie 31–31 |
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OT |
14:44
|
CHI |
Mike Brown 33-yard interception return |
Bears 37–31 |
[6]
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Week 8
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
OT |
Total |
Browns |
7 |
0 |
14 |
0 |
0 |
21 |
• Bears |
0 |
7 |
0 |
14 |
6 |
27 |
- Date: November 4
- Location: Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
- Game start: 3:15 p.m. (originally scheduled for 12:00 p.m.)
- Elapsed time: 3:20
- Game attendance: 66,944
- Game weather: 53 °F (11.7 °C), wind 8 miles per hour (13 km/h; 7.0 kn)
- Referee: Gerald Austin
- TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Phil Simms, and Armen Keteyian
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[7]
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Week 9
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1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
• Packers |
0 |
10 |
7 |
3 |
20 |
Bears |
6 |
3 |
3 |
0 |
12 |
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[8]
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Week 10
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
• Bears |
0 |
7 |
17 |
3 |
27 |
Buccaneers |
3 |
6 |
0 |
15 |
24 |
|
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[9]
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Week 11
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
• Bears |
0 |
10 |
0 |
3 |
13 |
Vikings |
0 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
6 |
|
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[10]
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Week 12
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1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
Lions |
7 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
10 |
• Bears |
0 |
3 |
0 |
10 |
13 |
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[11]
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After the winless Lions control play for most of the first half, Detroit kicker Jason Hanson misses three relatively easy field goals and the Bears recover their offense for a come-behind victory.[12] The win moves the Bears to 9–2 but leave the Lions at 0–11 and looking down the barrel of the first 0–16 season in NFL history.
Week 13
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
Bears |
0 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
7 |
• Packers |
7 |
0 |
7 |
3 |
17 |
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[13]
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Week 14
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
Buccaneers |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
• Bears |
3 |
10 |
7 |
7 |
27 |
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[14]
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Week 15
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1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
• Bears |
3 |
7 |
0 |
10 |
20 |
Redskins |
7 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
15 |
|
|
[15]
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Week 16
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1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
• Bears |
14 |
3 |
0 |
7 |
24 |
Lions |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
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[16]
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Quarterback Miller controls play, and the Bear defence dominates Lion QB Ty Detmer, so that the Lions suffer a second home shutout for the first time since 1942. The Bears’ first playoff berth in eight seasons becomes settled and the team gains an opportunity to win the NFC Central – in the last year under that banner – for the first time since 1988.[17]
Week 17
Scoring summary |
Quarter |
Time |
Drive |
Team |
Scoring information |
Score |
Plays |
Yards |
TOP |
JAX |
CHI |
1 |
2:42 |
|
|
|
Bears |
47-yard field goal by Edinger |
0 |
3 |
2 |
1:17 |
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Bears |
Leon Johnson 2-yard touchdown run, Edinger kick good |
0 |
10 |
2 |
0:00 |
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Bears |
23-yard field goal by Edinger |
0 |
13 |
3 |
9:40 |
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Bears |
Terrell 9-yard touchdown reception from Miller, Edinger kick good |
0 |
20 |
3 |
6:59 |
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Jaguars |
McCardell 15-yard touchdown reception from Brunell, Hollis kick no good |
6 |
20 |
3 |
1:52 |
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Bears |
25-yard field goal by Edinger |
6 |
23 |
4 |
12:56 |
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Bears |
22-yard field goal by Edinger |
6 |
26 |
4 |
7:37 |
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Bears |
Thomas 2-yard touchdown run, Edinger kick good |
6 |
33 |
4 |
3:50 |
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Jaguars |
Smith 3-yard touchdown reception from Brunell, Holmes kick good |
13 |
33 |
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. |
13 |
33 |
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Standings
Playoffs
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
• Eagles |
6 |
7 |
7 |
13 |
33 |
Bears |
0 |
7 |
7 |
5 |
19 |
- Date: Saturday January 19, 2002
- Location: Soldier Field
- Game start: 3:37
- Elapsed time: 2:58
- Game attendance: 66,944
- Game weather: 31 °F (−0.6 °C), wind 8 miles per hour (13 km/h; 7.0 kn), wind chill 19 °F or −7.2 °C
- Referee: Bill Carollo
- TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, Daryl Johnston, Troy Aikman, and Pam Oliver
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Scoring summary |
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Q1 |
9:04
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PHI |
Akers 34 yard field goal |
PHI 3–0 |
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Q1 |
3:22
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PHI |
Akers 23 yard field goal |
PHI 6–0 |
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Q2 |
5:29
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CHI |
Merritt 47 yard run (Paul Edinger |
CHI 7–6 |
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Q2 |
0:14
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PHI |
Martin 13 yard pass from McNabb (Akers kick) |
PHI 13–7 |
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Q3 |
12:25
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CHI |
Azumah 39 yard interception return (Edinger kick) |
CHI 14–13 |
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Q3 |
5:55
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PHI |
Staley 6 yard pass from McNabb (Akers kick) |
PHI 20-14 |
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Q4 |
14:16
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CHI |
Edinger 38 yard field goal |
PHI 20–17 |
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Q4 |
8:48
|
PHI |
Akers 40 yard field goal |
PHI 23–17 |
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Q4 |
6:28
|
PHI |
Akers 46 yard field goal |
PHI 26–17 |
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Q4 |
3:21
|
PHI |
McNabb 5 yard run (Akers kick) |
PHI 33–17 |
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Q4 |
0:00
|
CHI |
Safety |
PHI 33–19 |
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[18]
References
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External links
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Franchise |
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Records |
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Stadiums |
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Culture |
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Lore |
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Rivalries |
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Minor league affiliates |
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Retired numbers |
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Key personnel |
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Division championships (21) |
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Conference championships (4) |
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League championships (9) |
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Media |
- Broadcasters
- Radio:
- Personnel:
- Television:
- WFLD (pre-season and most regular season games through Fox, official pre-game and post-game alternate)
- Marquee Sports Network (official post-game and in-season programming)
- Personnel:
- Lou Canellis (gameday television host, pre-season sideline reporter)
- Adam Amin (pre-season play-by-play)
- Jim Miller (pre-season analyst)
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Current league affiliations |
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Formerly the Decatur Staleys (1920) and the Chicago Staleys (1921)
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- ↑ Chicago Bears at Baltimore Ravens – September 9th, 2001
- ↑ Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears – September 23rd, 2001
- ↑ Chicago Bears at Atlanta Falcons – October 7th, 2001
- ↑ Arizona Cardinals at Chicago Bears – October 14th, 2001
- ↑ Chicago Bears at Cincinnati Bengals – October 21st, 2001
- ↑ San Francisco 49ers at Chicago Bears – October 28th, 2001
- ↑ Cleveland Browns at Chicago Bears – November 4th, 2001
- ↑ Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears – November 11, 2001. Retrieved 2018-Sep-14.
- ↑ Chicago Bears at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – November 18th, 2001. Retrieved 2018-Sep-14.
- ↑ Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings – November 25th, 2001. Retrieved 2018-Sep-14.
- ↑ Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears – December 2nd, 2001. Retrieved 2018-Sep-14.
- ↑ Dowbiggin, Bruce; ‘Lions give futility a whole new meaning: After an 0-11 start, the history books beckon for woeful NFL franchise’; Calgary Herald, 15 December 2001, p. D3
- ↑ Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers – December 9th, 2001. Retrieved 2018-Sep-14.
- ↑ Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears – December 16th, 2001. Retrieved 2018-Sep-14.
- ↑ Chicago Bears at Washington Redskins – December 23rd, 2001. Retrieved 2018-Sep-14.
- ↑ Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions – December 30th, 2001. Retrieved 2018-Sep-14.
- ↑ ‘Miller dominates Lions; QB throws two TDs in Bears’ win’; The Windsor Star; December 31, 2001, p. C1
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.