The 2006 season was the Chicago Bears' 87th season in the National Football League, and the third under head coach Lovie Smith. The team improved on their 11–5 record from 2005 and finished with a 13–3 record; the best in the NFC. The Bears retained their NFC North divisional title and advanced to their first NFC Championship Game in 18 years, defeating the New Orleans Saints on January 21, 2007, by a score of 39–14. The Bears played the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLI, where they lost 29–17. The team finished the 2006 NFL season tied for second in points scored, and third in points allowed.

Due to the NFL's scheduling formula the Bears played 6 intra-division games, posting a record of 5–1. Because of rotating cycle scheduling, the Bears matched up against all four teams in the AFC East (going 2–2) and NFC West (going 4–0). In the remaining games, the Bears played the NFC's other reigning division winners, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Giants, posting a record of 2–0. During the entire season, the Bears played 10 games at home, 8 games on the road, and 1 game at a neutral field for the Super Bowl. Including the playoffs and Super Bowl, the Bears finished with a record of 15–4.

Noteworthy football stories for the 2006 season were replacing retired cornerback and kick returner Jerry Azumah, the quarterback controversy between productive but inconsistent and potentially fragile Rex Grossman and veteran free agent Brian Griese, the record setting returns by Devin Hester, Bernard Berrian's breakout season, competition between the Bears' running backs (Cedric Benson and Thomas Jones), and 5th round draft pick Mark Anderson's 12 quarterback sacks as a rookie.

Offseason

Draft

2006 Chicago Bears Draft Round Selection Player Position College Notes242Danieal ManningSAbilene Christian57Devin HesterCBMiami373Dusty DvoracekDTOklahoma4120Jamar WilliamsLBArizona State5159Mark AndersonDEAlabama6195J.D. RunnelsFBOklahoma200Tyler ReedGPenn State

The Chicago Bears’ 2006 NFL draft picks drew much criticism from various Bears’ fans and local sports critics. After injuries plagued the Bears’ offensive depth chart, the team finished the 2005 NFL season ranked 31st in passing yardage per game. Many fans assumed that the Bears would draft a tight end or wide receiver to improve the offense. However, Jerry Angelo and Lovie Smith surprised the media by trading away the Bears’ first round draft pick, and drafting five defensive players. Devin Hester was drafted to fill the void left by former cornerback Jerry Azumah and punt returner Bobby Wade, while Danieal Manning could provide additional depth to the Bears’ secondary while also being potentially available for punt and kick returns, as his highest prospect grade came in kick returning. Additionally, Anderson and Dvoracek were drafted to add depth to the Bears’ defensive line.

Training camp The preseason featured a brewing quarterback controversy when Rex Grossman struggled in his exhibition appearances and newly signed veteran back-up Brian Griese moved the second team offense freely.

The competition for the starting running back position went to Thomas Jones by default after sophomore running back Cedric Benson missed every preseason game with a shoulder injury inflicted in practice by Brian Urlacher and Mike Brown.

Preseason Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 San Francisco 49ers L 14–28 0–1 Monster Park Recap 2 San Diego Chargers W 24–3 1–1 Soldier Field Recap 3 Arizona Cardinals L 16–23 1–2 Soldier Field Recap 4 Cleveland Browns W 20–7 2–2 Cleveland Browns Stadium Recap

Uniform combinations

During the 2006 season, the Bears reintroduced three combinations of jerseys. During their week eight game against the San Francisco 49ers, the Bears wore special orange jerseys in the spirit of Halloween. They also wore all-white uniforms during their final two away games. Additionally, the Bears wore all-blue uniforms during their season finale against the Green Bay Packers.

Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site 1 September 10 at Green Bay Packers W 26–0 1–0 Lambeau Field 2 September 17 Detroit Lions W 34–7 2–0 Soldier Field 3 September 24 at Minnesota Vikings W 19–16 3–0 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 4 October 1 Seattle Seahawks W 37–6 4–0 Soldier Field 5 October 8 Buffalo Bills W 40–7 5–0 Soldier Field 6 at Arizona Cardinals W 24–23 6–0 University of Phoenix Stadium 7 Bye 8 October 29 San Francisco 49ers W 41–10 7–0 Soldier Field 9 November 5 Miami Dolphins L 13–31 7–1 Soldier Field 10 November 12 at New York Giants W 38–20 8–1 Giants Stadium 11 November 19 at New York Jets W 10–0 9–1 Giants Stadium 12 November 26 at New England Patriots L 13–17 9–2 Gillette Stadium 13 December 3 Minnesota Vikings W 23–13 10–2 Soldier Field 14 at St. Louis Rams W 42–27 11–2 Edward Jones Dome 15 December 17 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 34–31 12–2 Soldier Field 16 December 24 at Detroit Lions W 26–21 13–2 Ford Field 17 December 31 Green Bay Packers L 7–26 13–3 Soldier Field

Standings

Game summaries

Week 1: at Green Bay Packers

The Bears began their season on a victorious note by defeating the Green Bay Packers. Widely considered one of the league's most storied rivalries, the Bears and Packers had previously met 28 times at Lambeau Field for a season opener.Sportsillustrated.com, Top 10 NFL Rivalries Of All Time Retrieved on March 14, 2007 Notably, this was the first shutout ever for the Packers with quarterback Brett Favre at the helm.

Week 2: vs. Detroit Lions

"No defense can stop us. That's only in my opinion. We are our only defense. We will win this game. Y'all take that as a guarantee or what not, but we will win this game." ~Roy Williams The Bears began a winning streak by defeating the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field. The game drew more media attention than usual when Roy Williams of the Detroit Lions guaranteed a victory against the Bears.

Week 3: at Minnesota Vikings

The Bears offense was limited by a resurgent Minnesota Vikings defense, but fourth-quarter heroics from both the offense and defense resulted in a 19–16 victory.

Week 4: vs. Seattle Seahawks

Taking advantage of an injured Shaun Alexander, who did not play, and playing very well on both sides of the ball, the Bears defeated the defending NFC Champion Seattle Seahawks at Soldier Field by a score of 37–6 on the Bears' first night game of the year.

Week 5: vs. Buffalo Bills

Week five marked the return of former Bears head coach Dick Jauron to Soldier Field. It would also be the second straight week in which the Bears defeated their opponent by more than 30 points.

Week 6: at Arizona Cardinals

"The Bears are who we thought they were, and that’s why we took the damn field. Now, if you want to crown them, then crown their ass! But, they are who we thought they were, and we let them off the hook!." ~Dennis Green The Bears traveled to the newly opened University of Phoenix Stadium to play the Arizona Cardinals, their former cross-town rivals. While many expected the game a lop-sided affair in favor of the 5–0 Bears, the Cardinals led the Bears before stumbling in the game's last quarter. The game marked the Bears’ first Monday Night Football appearance since the 2003 NFL season, and second overall prime-time appearance of the season. The game started on an auspicious note for the Cardinals, as Rex Grossman faced a quick three and out after failing to connect to Bernard Berrian on a deep pass. The Cardinals responded offensively when rookie quarterback Matt Leinart threw two touchdowns in the first quarter. As Neil Rackers helped bolster the Cardinals lead with a set of field goals, Grossman continued to struggle and committed four turnovers in the first half alone. By half time, the Cardinals were leading the Bears by a score of 20–0, which was the largest deficit they had faced all season at that point.

The Bears finally got on the score board in the third quarter when Robbie Gould kicked a 23-yard field goal. However, Rackers responded again to boost the Cardinals lead back to twenty points. By the game's third quarter, many had assumed the Cardinals had grasped their second win of the season, and the undefeated Bears would be forced to face defeat. However, in the dying minutes of the third quarter, the Bears’ defense made a series of staunch defensive plays that allowed them to rally back.

First, rookie defensive end Mark Anderson sacked Leinart, causing him to fumble. The loose ball was picked up by Mike Brown, who returned it for a 3-yard touchdown. Later, Brian Urlacher stripped the ball from running back Edgerrin James, and Charles Tillman recovered the football and returned it for another touchdown. The Bears, now only trailing by six points, took the lead when rookie punt returner Devin Hester returned a punt for an 83-yard touchdown. The Cardinals had one final attempt to win the game, but Rackers missed a 40-yard field goal attempt, allowing the Bears to kneel the clock out. After the game's conclusion, Dennis Green, who was the Cardinal's coach at the time, threw his infamous "They are who we thought they were!" postgame conference. The rant became so popular, that it was featured in a Coors Light commercial the next season.http://go.speeple.com/news-EthMTkFrESg

Week 7: Bye Celebration of the Bears' improbable win over Arizona was tempered by the news that starting safety Mike Brown was lost for the season with torn ligaments in his foot. The rest of the team was able to work toward renewed good health for the San Francisco game.

Week 8: vs. San Francisco 49ers

Week 8 saw the Bears return to Soldier Field to play the San Francisco 49ers. Prior to the game, Lovie Smith announced that the Bears would don their alternative orange jerseys to commemorate the upcoming Halloween holiday, and asked Bear fans to wear orange clothing to create an “orange swarm” at Soldier Field. The Bears' 41 point first half tied the franchise record for most points scored in one half, the other game being the 1940 NFL Championship, where the Bears defeated the Washington Redskins 73–0.

Week 9: vs. Miami Dolphins

Week 9 saw the Bears take on the Joey Harrington-led Miami Dolphins and fall to 7–1 with their first loss of the season. Miami defensive end Jason Taylor recorded a sack, a forced fumble, and a 20-yard pick-six.

Week 10: at New York Giants

The Bears traveled to Giants Stadium to face the New York Giants. The game was highly anticipated, as it was the first game in league history to benefit from the NFL's flexible scheduling. Furthermore, leading up to the game Giants receiver Plaxico Burress provided plenty of fodder for the Chicago media by calling the Bears’ cornerbacks “average”. Nevertheless, the Bears went on to beat the Giants by a score of 38–20. The win over the Giants allowed the Bears to hold their first-place ranking in the National Football Conference. Devin Hester was also able to tie a record 108-yard return for a touchdown shared by teammate Nathan Vasher.

Week 11: at New York Jets

For week eleven, the Chicago Bears returned to Giants Stadium to play the New York Jets. While the Bears managed to record their second shut-out win of the year, their offense struggled throughout the first half the game, and managed only ten points in the second half. The victory over the Jets marked the first time in two games that the Bears did not turn over the ball, and Robbie Gould had not failed to convert a field goal or extra point on the year.

Week 12: at New England Patriots