Chicago wasted very little time in getting on the board first as they took the opening kickoff starting at its own 29. Da Bears decided that they would come out throwing the football on the very first play and it would pay off as Jim Miller (14-21-183) hit Marty Booker (9-134) over the middle on play action for a 36 yard gain to the Eagles 35. Allen then would gain 13 yards over the next 2 plays and with the help of a face mask penalty on the Eagles Da Bears were setting at the Eagles 8. Another penalty on the Eagles for being offside then moved the ball a little closer and Johnson took care of the rest going in from 5 yards out and giving Chicago a 7-0 lead.
Philadelphia though was not going to be outdone on in the big play arena. On 3rd and 7 from its
own 44 Brian Westbrook (11-83) went outside and went 47 yards to the Bears 8 before being pushed out of bounds. After getting down the 3 though the drive stalled and the Eagles were forced to settle for David Akers 22 yard field goal. On the Eagles second possession they would again come up with a big play as Donovan McNabb (24-43-276) hit a streaking Terrell Owens (7-151) down the sidelines on a long pattern that would net 47 yards all the way to the Bears 33. Seven plays later Dorsey Levens punched it in from 4 yards out giving the Eagles their first lead of the game at 10-7 after Akers extra point.
At the 6:24 mark of the second quarter setting at the Eagles 12 yard line Akers was called upon to attempt the field goal. (95% Chance). Akers field goal though would sail to the right and the chip shot was missed. McNabb wasted no time in making the Bears pay for that missed scoring opportunity as he would hit Owens again this time for 36 yards to the Bears 46. Moving down the Bears 37 with a 4th and 1 and only 5:03 left McNabb once again hit a receiver for big yardage as Mitchell would be on the other end for a 17 yard gain and a new set of downs. Things would go south from there though as after facing a 1st and goal before they knew it they were facing a 4th and goal from 30 yards out due to penalties. Akers was called upon for the second time and he once again was right on giving the Eagles now a 13-7 lead.
With 1:12 left Chicago decided to gamble as at their own 45 as they faced a 4th and 1. The Gamble didn't appear to pay off as the short hitch from Miller was thrown at the feet of the receiver but they got a reprieve when someone hit Miller late giving Da Bears new life. On the very next play Miller made them pay as he hit Booker in stride for a 40 yard touchdown strike and a 14-13 Bears lead. After the ensuing kickoff which was a squibb kick the Eagles got great field position and started at its own 44. With 11 ticks left before the half the McNabb-Owens connection struck again as it would gain 38 yards to the Bears 5 enabling Akers to kick the go ahead field goal as time expired in the half.
Leading 16-14 and with the ball back Philadelphia extended the lead to 19-14 on yet another Akers field goal after they moved from their own 20 down to the Bears 20. Trailing now 19-14 Jim Miller hit Dez White for a 33 yard gain to the Eagles 38. Eleven plays later facing a 4th and goal at the Eagles 1 Chicago made a game changing decision that would ultimately win them the game. Debating on rather or not to kick the field goal or try to punch it in being so close and still early in the game the Bears finally decided on tyring to punch it in. Allen found just enough of a crease to bowl over a defender and get in for a 20-19 Bears lead. The two point conversion attempt failed.
With 3:31 left in the game, Philadelphia faced a 4th and 2 at the Bears 42 and with the game hinging on the outcome of the play someone would walk away happy while the other side would walk away unhappy. Chicago won the battle as Westbrook was hit just as he got the ball holding him to a gain of nothing. Chicago then was able to run off the remaining time and hold on to a hard fought victory.
This team continues to win ugly but as they say a win is a win and take it anyway you can. --submitted by Bill Vogt--
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