Da Bearz outlast Philly, 16-15

Chicago and Philadelphia displayed the defense they were known for and as expected this was a low scoring affair. The Bears came out running the ball on the opening drive as they fed RB Anthony Thomas (35-157) and they would march 83 yards in 8 plays capped off by Thomas' 5 yard TD romp. The Eagles would score the next 5 points as they would get a safety and a field goal. Chicago added a 37 yard field goal early in the second to put the Bears up 10-5. Philadelphia answered back with a Akers 24 yard field goal to cut it back to 10-8 but Edinger's 19 yard field goal with 19 ticks left before the end of the first half sent the Bears into the locker room with a 13-8 lead.

The 3rd quarter would be much like the first 2 as Edinger kicked a 50 yarder to make it 16-8 in favor of the Bears. Philadelphia though finally got a drive going and Brian Westbrook's (8-50) 15 yard gallop made it a 16-14 game. The Eagles decided to kick the extra point rather than go for the tie and that would end up being the ball game as the Bears nip the Eagles 16-15. Each team had some opportunities in the 4th to add some field goals but the Bears offensive line would cost them late in the 4th for that shot due to an offensive lineman being offside that moved them out of range. It would take a great play though to secure the win by the Bears as the Eagles were facing a 4th and 3 from its own 38 with only 1:28 to go. Chicago would stop Freddie Mitchell a yard short and the Bears then ran the clock out. Tony Parrish made a fantastic open field tackle to save the day for the Bears even though he was keying Westbrook in expectation of a dump pass in the flat. --submitted by Bill Vogt--