Season-in-review team reports — NFC
Central
As published in print Feb. 6, 2002
2001 record: 13-3 |
| Overview |
| The Bears were one of the biggest surprises of the season, improving on
their 2000 record by eight games. They made the playoffs for the first time since the 1994
season and clinched their first NFC Central title since 1990. A six-game winning streak,
highlighted by miraculous comebacks against the 49ers and Browns, put the Bears on a
playoff course. Though the offense was handicapped by the season-ending knee injury to WR
Marcus Robinson, Anthony Thomas emerged as a dependable running back, earning Offensive
Rookie of the Year honors. But this Bears team was best-known for its defense, which
allowed the fewest points in the league. |
| Turning point |
| In Week Seven, the Bears trailed San Francisco by 19 points in the third
quarter before tying the game late in the fourth and winning it in overtime on an
interception return by FS Mike Brown. The following week, the Bears trailed by 14 points
with less than two minutes left in the game before tying it on a Hail Mary pass and
winning it on another interception return by Brown. Together, the stirring comebacks
heightened the Bears’ confidence and fueled their drive to the playoffs. |
| Offensive MVP |
| WR Marty Booker. After Robinson went down for the year in Week Six,
Booker became the Bears’ go-to guy. He finished the season with a team-record 100
receptions, 55 more than the nearest teammate. Though he doesn’t have Robinson’s
speed, Booker showed toughness catching passes over the middle and taking a weekly
beating. He also blocked for the running game very well. |
| Defensive MVP |
| MLB Brian Urlacher. Granted, Brown returned two interceptions for
touchdowns in overtime, LB Rosevelt Colvin emerged as a pass-rushing threat and DTs Ted
Washington and Keith Traylor did an outstanding job up front. But Urlacher did it all. He
made plays in pass coverage (three interceptions), blitzed effectively (six sacks) and
continued his prowess in run defense. Urlacher showed impressive closing speed and
tackling ability, leading the team in total stops with 148. |
| Biggest surprise |
| This Bears team was loaded with youth, but it all seemed to blossom at
the same time. Players such as LBs Warrick Holdman (third year) and Colvin (third), Brown
(second) and Booker (third) were all expected to make great strides eventually. But they
came into their own at the same time and played pivotal roles in the team’s success. |
| Biggest disappointment |
| Robinson’s injury might have opened the door for Booker, but it also
limited the offense. Robinson was the Bears’ deep threat and top offensive playmaker.
Without him, the offense lacked some balance and struggled to stretch the field. Though
Booker proved to be a reliable receiver, he averaged only 10.7 yards per catch. With
Robinson in the lineup, perhaps the Bears wouldn’t have played things so close to the
vest in two losses to the Packers. |
| Rookie recap |
| WR David Terrell, the team’s No. 1 pick, was very inconsistent. He
showed flashes of top-notch ability but also dropped some key passes. Terrell didn’t
do enough to take advantage of the extra playing time he received with Robinson out.
Thomas was everything the Bears had hoped for, and then some. He gave them the
power-running threat they had been missing for several years. OLs Mike Gandy and Bernard
Robertson never saw the field, and DE Karon Riley barely played. |
| Free-agent/trade review |
| DTs Traylor and Washington were huge — literally. There was a lot of
concern that they would wear down late in the year because of their size and age. But that
never happened. P Brad Maynard was outstanding, often giving the Bears an edge in field
position. FB Daimon Shelton did a fine job blocking until a suspension ended his season
before the playoffs. TE Fred Baxter also blocked well, in addition to making some nice
catches. RB Leon Johnson proved valuable in short-yardage situations and on kickoff
returns. |
| Team leaders |
Rushing — Anthony Thomas, 1,183 yards on 278 carries, 4.3 avg., 7
TDs.
Passing — Jim Miller, 228-395 attempts for 2,299 yards, 13 TDs, 10 interceptions,
74.9 rating.
Receiving — Marty Booker, 100 receptions for 1,071 yards, 10.7 avg., 8 TDs.
Scoring — Paul Edinger, 112 points on 34 PATs and 26 FGs.
Kickoff returns — Autry Denson, 23 for 534 yards, 23.2 avg., 0 TDs.
Punt returns — Leon Johnson, 28 for 255 yards, 9.1 avg., 0 TDs.
Punting — Brad Maynard, 87 for 42.6 avg., 37.0 net, 8 TB, 36 inside 20, 0 blk., 60L.
Interceptions — Mike Brown, 5 for 81 yards, 16.2 avg., 2 TDs.
Sacks — Rosevelt Colvin, 11. |
| Results |
Pointspread Shown Refers to Chicago.
| Date |
Opponent |
Spread |
Score |
| Sept. 9 |
At Baltimore |
(+9.5) |
6-17 |
| Sept. 23 |
Minnesota |
(+3.5) |
17-10 |
| Sept. 30 |
BYE |
|
|
| Oct. 7 |
At Atlanta |
(+3) |
31-3 |
| Oct. 14 |
Arizona |
(-7) |
20-13 |
| Oct. 21 |
At Cincinnati |
(+1.5) |
24-0 |
| Oct. 28 |
San Francisco |
(-2.5) |
37-31* |
| Nov. 4 |
Cleveland |
(-3.5) |
27-21* |
| Nov. 11 |
Green Bay |
(+2.5) |
12-20 |
| Nov. 18 |
At Tampa Bay |
(+6) |
27-24 |
| Nov. 25 |
At Minnesota |
(+3) |
13-6 |
| Dec. 2 |
Detroit |
(-7) |
13-10 |
| Dec. 9 |
At Green Bay |
(+5) |
7-17 |
| Dec. 16 |
Tampa Bay |
(-2) |
27-3 |
| Dec. 23 |
At Washington |
(0) |
20-15 |
| Dec. 30 |
At Detroit |
(-5.5) |
24-0 |
| Jan. 6 |
Jacksonville |
(-4) |
33-13 |
| Postseason |
|
|
|
| Jan. 19 |
Philadelphia |
(-3) |
19-33 |
* Overtime |
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