# 2000 Chicago Bears season

The 2000 season was the Chicago Bears' 81st in the National Football League (NFL). The team failed to improve on their 6–10 from 1999, finishing with a 5–11 record under head coach Dick Jauron. The season saw the addition of rookie sensation Brian Urlacher who would win the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award.
The Bears in 2000 played an NFL record 13 games against opponents that ended the season with a winning record, including four in their own division twice each; the Bears had a record of 4–9 against these teams.

## Offseason

| Additions | Subtractions |
| DE Phillip Daniels (Seahawks) | WR Curtis Conway (Chargers) |
| WR Eddie Kennison (Saints) | LB Ricardo McDonald (Broncos) |
| CB R. W. McQuarters (49ers) | TE Ryan Wetnight (Packers) |
| CB Thomas Smith (Bills) | P Todd Sauerbrun (Chiefs) |
| S Shawn Wooden (Dolphins) | DT Shane Burton (Jets) |
| DB Ray McElroy (Colts) | LB Keith Burns (Broncos) |
| DT Brad Culpepper (Buccaneers) | |

### NFL Draft

2000 Chicago Bears draft :
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | College | Notes |
| 1 | 9 | Brian Urlacher * $^†$ | Linebacker | New Mexico | |
| 2 | 39 | Mike Brown * | Safety | Nebraska | |
| 3 | 69 | Dez White | Wide receiver | Georgia Tech | |
| 3 | 87 | Dustin Lyman | Tight end | Wake Forest | |
| 4 | 125 | Reggie Austin | Cornerback | Wake Forest | |
| 6 | 170 | Frank Murphy | Wide receiver | Kansas State | |
| 6 | 174 | Paul Edinger | Kicker | Michigan State | |
| 7 | 223 | James Cotton | Defensive end | Ohio State | |
| 7 | 254 | Michael Green | Safety | Northwestern State | Mr. Irrelevant |
| Made roster † Pro Football Hall of Fame * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career ||||||

### Undrafted free agents

2000 Undrafted Free Agents of note :
| Player | Position | College |
| Derrick Foster | Running back | Texas A&M–Kingsville |
| Marlion Jackson | Running back | Saginaw Valley State |
| Ahmad Merritt | Wide receiver | Wisconsin |
| Damon Nivens | Tackle | Southern |
| Gannon Shepard | Tackle | Duke |
| Brad Williams | Guard | Notre Dame |

## Preseason

| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue |
| 1 | August 5 | at New York Giants | W 20–8 | 1–0 | Giants Stadium |
| 2 | August 12 | Cleveland Browns | W 19–6 | 2–0 | Soldier Field |
| 3 | August 19 | at Cincinnati Bengals | L 20–24 | 2–1 | Paul Brown Stadium |
| 4 | August 25 | Tennessee Titans | L 28–34 | 2–2 | Soldier Field |

## Regular season
### Schedule

| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance |
| 1 | September 3 | at Minnesota Vikings | L 27–30 | 0–1 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 64,104 |
| 2 | September 10 | at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | L 0–41 | 0–2 | Raymond James Stadium | 65,569 |
| 3 | September 17 | New York Giants | L 7–14 | 0–3 | Soldier Field | 66,944 |
| 4 | September 24 | Detroit Lions | L 14–21 | 0–4 | Soldier Field | 66,944 |
| 5 | October 1 | at Green Bay Packers | W 27–24 | 1–4 | Lambeau Field | 59,869 |
| 6 | October 8 | New Orleans Saints | L 10–31 | 1–5 | Soldier Field | 66,944 |
| 7 | October 15 | Minnesota Vikings | L 16–28 | 1–6 | Soldier Field | 66,944 |
| 8 | October 22 | at Philadelphia Eagles | L 9–13 | 1–7 | Veterans Stadium | 65,553 |
| 9 | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye |
| 10 | November 5 | Indianapolis Colts | W 27–24 | 2–7 | Soldier Field | 66,944 |
| 11 | November 12 | at Buffalo Bills | L 3–20 | 2–8 | Ralph Wilson Stadium | 72,420 |
| 12 | November 19 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | W 13–10 | 3–8 | Soldier Field | 66,944 |
| 13 | November 26 | at New York Jets | L 10–17 | 3–9 | Giants Stadium | 77,354 |
| 14 | December 3 | Green Bay Packers | L 6–28 | 3–10 | Soldier Field | 56,146 |
| 15 | December 10 | New England Patriots | W 24–17 | 4–10 | Soldier Field | 66,944 |
| 16 | December 17 | at San Francisco 49ers | L 0–17 | 4–11 | 3Com Park | 68,306 |
| 17 | December 24 | at Detroit Lions | W 23–20 | 5–11 | Pontiac Silverdome | 71,957 |

### Game summaries
#### Week 1: at Minnesota Vikings

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bears | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 27 |
| Vikings | 6 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 30 |
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: September 3
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 64,104
* Referee: Ed Hochuli (85)
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Gary Anderson 35-yard field goal, 10:16. Vikings 3–0. Drive: 8 plays, 54 yards, 4:44.
CHI – John Allred 18-yard pass from Cade McNown (Paul Edinger kick), 3:58. Bears 7–3. Drive: 11 plays, 78 yards, 6:18.
MIN – Gary Anderson 38-yard field goal, 1:16. Bears 7–6. Drive: 5 plays, 38 yards, 2:42.
Second quarter
CHI – Paul Edinger 29-yard field goal, 5:19. Bears 10–6. Drive: 7 plays, 45 yards, 3:38.
MIN – Gary Anderson 45-yard field goal, 1:51. Bears 10–9. Drive: 7 plays, 31 yards, 3:28.
CHI – Paul Edinger 49-yard field goal, 0:16. Bears 13–9. Drive: 12 plays, 36 yards, 1:35.
Third quarter
CHI – Marcus Robinson 48-yard pass from Cade McNown (Paul Edinger kick), 10:10. Bears 20–9. Drive: 8 plays, 74 yards, 4:50.
MIN – Daunte Culpepper 1-yard run (Gary Anderson kick), 5:24. Bears 20–16. Drive: 9 plays, 72 yards, 4:46.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Daunte Culpepper 7-yard run (Gary Anderson kick), 10:59. Vikings 23–20. Drive: 6 plays, 93 yards, 3:15.
MIN – Daunte Culpepper 4-yard run (Gary Anderson kick), 4:35. Vikings 30–20. Drive: 7 plays, 81 yards, 2:30.
CHI – Cade McNown 8-yard run (Paul Edinger kick), 1:17. Vikings 30–27. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 3:18.
Top passers
CHI – Cade McNown – 27/41, 290 yards, 2 TD
MIN – Daunte Culpepper – 13/23, 190 yards, INT
Top rushers
CHI – Cade McNown – 10 rushes, 87 yards, TD
MIN – Robert Smith – 14 rushes, 109 yards
Top receivers
CHI – Marcus Robinson – 7 receptions, 86 yards, TD
MIN – Randy Moss – 4 receptions, 89 yards :

#### Week 3: vs New York Giants

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Giants | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
| Bears | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
* Date: September 17
* Game time: 3:15 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: Mostly sunny, 79 °F (26 °C)
* Game attendance: 66,944
* Referee: Dick Hantak
* TV announcers (Fox): Pat Summerall, John Madden and D. J. Johnson
Game information :
First quarter
NYG – Ron Dixon 34-yard pass from Kerry Collins (Brad Daluiso kick), 10:38. Giants 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 4:22.
Second quarter
CHI – Eddie Kennison 2-yard pass from Cade McNown (Paul Edinger kick), 0:14. Tied 7–7. Drive: 12 plays, 74 yards, 3:02.
Third quarter
NYG – Tiki Barber 3-yard run (Brad Daluiso kick), 5:26. Giants 14–7. Drive: 6 plays, 43 yards, 2:50.
Fourth quarter
No scoring plays.
Top passers
NYG – Kerry Collins – 24/33, 251 yards, TD
CHI – Cade McNown – 23/36, 202 yards, TD
Top rushers
NYG – Tiki Barber – 17 rushes, 86 yards, TD
CHI – James Allen – 10 rushes, 31 yards
Top receivers
NYG – Tiki Barber – 6 receptions, 58 yards
CHI – Marcus Robinson – 9 receptions, 84 yards :

#### Week 4: vs Detroit Lions

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Lions | 7 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 21 |
| Bears | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
* Date: September 24, 2000
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: Overcast, 58 °F (14 °C)
* Game attendance: 66,944
* TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, Matt Millen
Game information :
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
DET – Charlie Batch – 20/37, 207 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
CHI – Cade McNown – 11/20, 203 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT
Top rushers
DET – James Stewart – 23 rushes, 71 yards, 1 TD
CHI – James Allen – 19 rushes, 87 yards
Top receivers
DET – Germane Crowell – 2 receptions, 65 yards, 1 TD
CHI – Marcus Robinson – 5 receptions, 95 yards, 1 TD :

#### Week 5: at Green Bay Packers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bears | 10 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 27 |
| Packers | 0 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 24 |
at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
* Date: October 1, 2000
* Game time: 3:15 p.m. CST
* Game weather: Overcast, 72 °F (22 °C)
* Game attendance: 59,869
* TV announcers (Fox): Curt Menefee and Brian Baldinger
Game information :
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
CHI – Cade McNown – 11/20, 203 yards, 2 TD
GB – Brett Favre – 31/48, 333 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
Top rushers
CHI – James Allen – 24 rushes, 72 yards
GB – Dorsey Levens – 11 rushes, 24 yards
Top receivers
CHI – Marcus Robinson – 2 receptions, 126 yards, 2 TD
GB – Bill Schroeder – 8 receptions, 108 yards, 2 TD :

#### Week 7: vs Minnesota Vikings

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 0 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
| Bears | 6 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 16 |
at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
* Date: October 15
* Game time: 7:35 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 66,944
* Referee: Larry Nemmers (20)
* TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Patrick, Joe Theismann, Paul Maguire, and Solomon Wilcots
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
CHI – Dez White 25-yard pass from Cade McNown (run failed), 3:46. Bears 6–0. Drive: 5 plays, 63 yards, 3:13.
Second quarter
CHI – Paul Edinger 22-yard field goal, 8:58. Bears 9–0. Drive: 10 plays, 76 yards, 4:46.
MIN – Robert Smith 72-yard run (Gary Anderson kick), 8:35. Bears 9–7. Drive: 1 play, 72 yards, 0:23.
MIN – Cris Carter 24-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 5:26. Vikings 14–9. Drive: 4 plays, 33 yards, 1:55.
Third quarter
MIN – Matthew Hatchette 24-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 10:01. Vikings 21–9. Drive: 5 plays, 54 yards, 1:59.
Fourth quarter
CHI – James Allen 6-yard run (Paul Edinger kick), 14:56. Vikings 21–16. Drive: 9 plays, 74 yards, 4:15.
MIN – Randy Moss 7-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 9:26. Vikings 28–16. Drive: 9 plays, 59 yards, 5:30.
Top passers
MIN – Daunte Culpepper – 15/26, 198 yards, 3 TD
CHI – Cade McNown – 19/33, 210 yards, TD
Top rushers
MIN – Robert Smith – 23 rushes, 170 yards, TD
CHI – James Allen – 22 rushes, 71 yards, TD
Top receivers
MIN – Cris Carter – 7 receptions, 111 yards, TD
CHI – Marcus Robinson – 7 receptions, 88 yards :

#### Week 10: vs Indianapolis Colts

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Colts | 10 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 27 |
| Bears | 0 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 24 |
at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
* Date: November 5, 2000
* Game time: 3:15 p.m. CST
* Game weather: Overcast, 57 °F (14 °C)
* Game attendance: 66,944
* TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle and Mark May
Game information :
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
IND – Peyton Manning – 26/39, 302 yards, 2 TD, INT
CHI – Jim Miller – 24/35, 203 yards, TD
Top rushers
IND – Edgerrin James – 17 rushes, 68 yards, TD
CHI – James Allen – 16 rushes, 85 yards
Top receivers
IND – Ken Dilger – 5 receptions, 66 yards
CHI – Marcus Robinson – 8 receptions, 90 yards, TD :

## Standings

NFC Central :
| viewtalkedit | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | STK |
| $^{(2)}$ Minnesota Vikings | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 397 | 371 | L3 |
| $^{(5)}$ Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 388 | 269 | L1 |
| Green Bay Packers | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 353 | 323 | W4 |
| Detroit Lions | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 307 | 307 | L1 |
| Chicago Bears | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 216 | 355 | W1 |

## Awards and records

* Mike Brown, PFW/Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team
* Paul Edinger, PFW/Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team
* Brian Urlacher, NFC Pro Bowl Selection,
* Brian Urlacher, NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month, October
* Brian Urlacher, Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year
* Brian Urlacher, Football Digest Defensive Rookie of the Year
* Brian Urlacher, Pro Football Writers of America Defensive Rookie of the Year
* Brian Urlacher, Sports Illustrated Rookie of the Year
* Brian Urlacher, Sporting News Defensive Rookie of the Year
* Brian Urlacher, USA Today Defensive Rookie of the Year
* Brian Urlacher, PFW/Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team