A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | CH | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9
2006 Chicago Bears season | |
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Owner | The McCaskey Family |
General manager | Jerry Angelo |
Head coach | Lovie Smith |
Home field | Soldier Field |
Local radio | WBBM · WCFS · WLEY · WSCR |
Results | |
Record | 13–3 |
Division place | 1st NFC North |
Playoff finish | Won Divisional Playoffs (vs. Seahawks) 27–24 (OT) Won NFC Championship (vs. Saints) 39–14 Lost Super Bowl XLI (vs. Colts) 17–29 |
Pro Bowlers | 8
|
AP All-Pros | 6
|
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 won the NFC Championship against the New Orleans Saints on January 21, 2007. 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,[1] and third in points allowed.[2]
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.[3][4][5]
Offseason
Draft
Round | Selection | Player | Position | College | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2 | 42 | Danieal Manning | S | Abilene Christian | |
57 | Devin Hester | CB | Miami | ||
3 | 73 | Dusty Dvoracek | DT | Oklahoma | |
4 | 120 | Jamar Williams | LB | Arizona State | |
5 | 159 | Mark Anderson | DE | Alabama | |
6 | 195 | J.D. Runnels | FB | Oklahoma | |
200 | Tyler Reed | G | Penn 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.[6] 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.[7] 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.[8]
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 | August 11 | San Francisco 49ers | L 14–28 | 0–1 | Monster Park | Recap |
2 | August 18 | San Diego Chargers | W 24–3 | 1–1 | Soldier Field | Recap |
3 | August 25 | Arizona Cardinals | L 16–23 | 1–2 | Soldier Field | Recap |
4 | August 31 | 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 | October 16 | 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 | December 11 | at St. Louis Rams | W 42–27 | 11–2 | Edward Jones Dome | |
15 | December 17 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | W 34–31 (OT) | 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
NFC North | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK | |
(1) Chicago Bears | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | 5–1 | 11–1 | 427 | 255 | L1 |
Green Bay Packers | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 5–1 | 7–5 | 301 | Zdroj:https://en.wikipedia.org?pojem=2006_Chicago_Bears_season