Season Narrative
The Bears surprised most with a breakout campaign in 2001. After they lost their first 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). Then, they went back home and won against the Arizona Cardinals 20-13. Afterwards, they went on the road and shut out the Cincinnati Bengals 24-0. After that, they went home for three games. They won against the San Francisco 49ers (37-31) and the Cleveland Browns (27-21). Both were won in overtime and both had the same end result. In both games, 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) made them bury their win streak at home, with a final score of 20-12. Fortunately, the Bears would win their next three games. First, they won on the road against their former division rival, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27-24. Then, they traveled to the Metrodome and swept the Vikings (13-6). Then, when their divisions rival the Detroit Lions came to town, the Bears defended their turf and won 13-10. Unfortunately, the Bears traveled to Lambeau Field and were swept by the Packers 17-7. Fortunately, that would be their last loss of the regular season. The Bears would win their last four games against the Buccaneers at home (27-3), the Washington 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 ended their magical season on a sour note, losing 33-19 to the Philadelphia Eagles in the divisional round of the NFC playoffs at Soldier Field.
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