2006 Chicago Bears season The 2006 Chicago Bears season was their 87th regular season and 25th post - season completed in the National Football League . The club posted a 13 - 3 regular season record , the best in the NFC , improving on their previous year ’ s record of 11 - 5 . The Bears retained their NFC North divisional title , and won the National Football Conference Championship title against the New Orleans Saints , on January 21 , 2007 . The Bears played the Indianapolis Colts at Super Bowl XLI , where they lost 29 - 17 . They finished the 2006 NFL season tied for second in points scored , and third in points allowed . Due to the NFL ' s scheduling formula the Bears played 6 inter - 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 exciting and record setting returns by " Windy City Flier " Devin Hester , Bernard Berrian ' s breakout season , competition between the Bears ' two top 10 picks at running back ( Cedric Benson and Thomas Jones ) , 5th round draft pick Mark Anderson ' s 12 quarterback sack s as a rookie , and the proliferation of the phrase " Bear Weather . " Offseason . 2006 NFL Draft picks . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . Week - by - week results . Week 1 : at Green Bay Packers . The Bears began their season on a victorious note by defeating the Green Bay Packers . Widely considered one of the league ’ s most storied rivalrys , the Bears and Packers had previously met 28 times at Lambeau Field for a season opener . Notably , this was the first shutout ever for the Packers with quarterback Brett Favre at the helm . Week 2 : vs . Detroit Lions . The Bears began a winning streak by defeating the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field . The game drew more media attention than usual when Roy Williams of the Detroit Lions guaranteed a victory against the Bears . Week 3 : at Minnesota Vikings . The Bears offense was limited by a resurgent Minnesota Vikings defense , but fourth - quarter heroics from both the offense and defense resulted in a 19 - 16 victory . Week 4 : vs . Seattle Seahawks . Taking advantage of an injured Shaun Alexander , who did not play , and playing very well on both sides of the ball , the Bears defeated the defending NFC Champion Seattle Seahawks at Soldier Field by a score of 37 - 6 on the Bears ' first night game of the year . Week 5 : vs . Buffalo Bills . Week five marked the return of former Bears head coach Dick Jauron to Soldier Field . It would also be the second straight week in which the Bears defeated their opponent by more than 30 points . Week 6 : at Arizona Cardinals . The Bears traveled to the newly opened University of Phoenix Stadium to play the Arizona Cardinals , their former cross - town rivals . While many expected the game a lop - sided affair in favor of the 5 - 0 Bears , the Cardinals led the Bears before stumbling in the game ’ s last quarter . The game marked the Bears ’ first Monday Night Football appearance since the 2003 NFL season , and second overall prime - time appearance of the season . The game started on an auspicious note for the Cardinals , as Rex Grossman faced a quick three and out after failing to connect to Bernard Berrian on a deep pass . The Cardinals responded offensively when rookie quarterback Matt Leinart threw two touchdowns in the first quarter . As Neil Rackers helped bolster the Cardinals lead with a set of field goals , Grossman continued to struggle and committed four turnovers in the first half alone . By half time , the Cardinals were leading the Bears by a score of 20 - 0 , which was the largest deficit they had faced all season at that point . The Bears finally got on the score board in the third quarter when Robbie Gould kicked a 23 - yard field goal . However , Rackers responded again to boost the Cardinals lead back to twenty points . By the game ’ s third quarter , many had assumed the Cardinals had grasped their second win of the season , and the undefeated Bears would be forced to face defeat . However , in the dying minutes of the third quarter , the Bears ’ defense made a series of staunch defensive plays that allowed them to rally back . First , rookie defensive end Mark Anderson sacked Leinart , causing him to fumble . The loose ball was picked up by Mike Brown , who returned it for a 3 - yard touchdown . Later , Brian Urlacher stripped the ball from running back Edgerrin James , and Charles Tillman recovered the football and returned it for another touchdown . The Bears , now only trailing by six points , took the lead when rookie punt returner Devin Hester returned a punt for an 83 - yard touchdown . The Cardinals had one final attempt to win the game , but Rackers missed a 40 - yard field goal attempt , allowing the Bears to kneel the clock out . After the game ' s conclusion , Dennis Green , who was the Cardinal ' s coach at the time , threw a fit in a post conference . The rant became so popular , that it was featured in a Coors Light commercial the next season . Week 7 : Bye . Celebration of the Bears ' improbable win over Arizona was tempered by the news that starting safety Mike Brown was lost for the season with torn ligaments in his foot . The rest of the team was able to work toward renewed good health for the San Francisco game . Week 8 : vs . San Francisco 49ers . Week 8 saw the Bears return to Soldier Field to play the San Francisco 49ers . Prior to the game , Lovie Smith announced that the Bears would don their alternative orange jerseys to commemorate the upcoming Halloween holiday , and asked Bear fans to wear orange clothing to create an “ orange swarm ” at Soldier Field . The Bears ' 41 point first half tied the franchise record for most points scored in one half , the other game being the 1940 NFL Championship , where the Bears defeated the Washington Redskins 73 - 0 . Week 9 : vs . Miami Dolphins . Week 9 saw the Bears take on the Miami Dolphins . In a fashion reminiscent of the 1985 NFL season , the Dolphins defeated the Bears by a score of 31 - 13 . Week 10 : at New York Giants . The Bears traveled to Giants Stadium to face the New York Giants . The game was highly anticipated , as it was the first game in league history to benefit from the NFL ’ s flexible scheduling . Furthermore , leading up to the game Giants receiver Plaxico Burress provided plenty of fodder for the Chicago media by calling the Bears ’ cornerback s “ average ” . Nevertheless , the Bears went on to beat the Giants by a score of 38 - 20 . The win over the Giants allowed the Bears to hold their first place ranking in the National Football Conference . Devin Hester was also able to tie a record 108 yard return for a touchdown shared by fellow teammate Nathan Vasher Week 11 : at New York Jets . For week eleven , the Chicago Bears returned to Giants Stadium to play the New York Jets . While the Bears managed to record their second shut - out win of the year , their offense struggled throughout the first half the game , and managed only ten points in the second half . The victory over the Jets marked the first time in two games that the Bears did not turn over the ball , and Robbie Gould had not failed to convert a field goal or extra point on the year . Week 12 : at New England Patriots . Following two consecutive wins at Giants Stadium , the Bears were to finish a three game road trip at Gillette Stadium against the New England Patriots . Similar to the week nine confrontation with the Miami Dolphins , turnovers contributed to the Bears ’ 17 - 13 loss against the Patriots . Week 13 : vs . Minnesota Vikings . After the loss to New England , the Bears returned to Soldier Field to play the Minnesota Vikings . The weather conditions were harsh throughout the game ; the below - freezing temperatures and swirling winds provided a clichéd background for a rivalry game in the " Black and Blue Division " . Despite a marginal offensive performance , the Bears managed to defeat the Vikings 23 - 13 . With their tenth win of the season , the Bears secured their second consecutive NFC North Title . Additionally , the Bears became the first team in the NFL to clinch a playoff berth , and remained tied for the NFL ' s best record . Week 14 : at St . Louis Rams . For week 14 , the Bears traveled to St . Louis , Missouri to play the St . Louis Rams . Prior to the game , a quarterback controversy arose between Rex Grossman and Brian Griese regarding the Bears ’ starting quarterback position . Grossman , who finished the preceding game with a quarterback rating of 1 . 3 , was eager to make a statement , and rebound against the same team which injured him during the previous year ' s preseason . Grossman rose to the occasion , and spearheaded the Bears to a 42 - 27 victory over the Rams , while rookie CB Devin Hester had a record - breaking performance . Also , many spectators of the Monday night game may remember Senator Barack Obama ' s humorous television introduction before kickoff . During the course of the game , Hester broke the NFL record for combined return touchdowns in a single season with six . He also became the sixth player in NFL history to return two kicks for touchdowns in a single game . For his performance , he earned the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week Award . On a low note , kicker Robbie Gould uncharacteristically missed two field goal attempts , and the Bears announced that defensive tackle Tommie Harris would miss the remainder of the season with a severe hamstring injury . Week 15 : vs . Tampa Bay Buccaneers . The Bears improved to 12 - 2 and secured home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs with an overtime victory over their former division rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers . The Bears entered the game without Pro Bowl ers Mike Brown , Nathan Vasher and Tommie Harris . Additionally , Lovie Smith deactivated defensive tackle Tank Johnson due to his legal issues . Week 16 : at Detroit Lions . The Bears traveled to Detroit , Michigan in hopes of another victory over the Detroit Lions on Christmas Eve . However , the game was essentially meaningless , as the Bears had already clinched the NFC ’ s top playoff seed in the previous week . Therefore , the Bears experimented with different defensive and offensive plans en route to a victory over the Lions . Week 17 : vs . Green Bay Packers . After their road victory against the Detroit Lions , the Bears returned home to finish their season against the archenemy Green Bay Packers . On December 24 , the NFL announced that they would move to game to a primetime slot , making it the final game of the 2006 regular season . The loss marked the Bears second consecutive loss in a regular season finale . Brett Favre appeared at the end of the game , and gave a tearful interview with an NBC Sports correspondent , where he admitted his future as professional was still questionable ( he ultimately returned for 2007 , 2008 , 2009 , and 2010 ) . Additionally , Grossman ’ s four turnovers , zero passer rating , and press conference comments ( where he admitted to being underprepared ) drew criticism both from fans and the media as the Bears ' regular season came to an end . Playoffs . The Bears clinched a playoff berth after defeating the Minnesota Vikings during week thirteen . They obtained a first round bye the following week , and later secured the NFC ' s first playoff seed . This ensured the Bears home field advantage for the NFC ' s Divisional and Conference games . NFC Divisional playoff : vs Seattle Seahawks . The Bears advanced to the NFC Championship game by defeating the Seattle Seahawks on January 14 , 2007 . In a hard - fought battle , the Bears had to rely on all “ four phases ” of the game ( offense , defense , special teams , and crowd noise ) to win 27 - 24 in overtime . NFC Championship : vs New Orleans Saints . The Chicago Bears returned to Soldier Field to play the second - seeded New Orleans Saints for the right to represent the NFC in Super Bowl XLI . On a cold field with unsure footing , and eventually falling snow , the Bears defeated the Saints 39 - 14 to claim their first NFC Championship since the 1985 Season . After the game , Bears owner Virginia McCaskey was presented the George Halas Trophy , named after her late father , " Papa Bear " George Halas . With the win , Lovie Smith became the first African American coach to achieve a Super Bowl berth . In Super Bowl XLI , The Bears would match up against the Indianapolis Colts , and Smith would face his mentor , Tony Dungy . Super Bowl XLI : vs Indianapolis Colts . Super Bowl XLI , the first Super Bowl to be played entirely in intemperate weather , saw the Bears take on the Indianapolis Colts at Dolphin Stadium in Miami . 2007 Pro Bowl . Eight members of the Chicago Bears were selected to play in the 2007 Pro Bowl . Olin Kreutz , Tommie Harris , Lance Briggs , Brian Urlacher , Robbie Gould , Devin Hester , and Brendon Ayanbadejo were selected by NFL fans throughout the nation to represent the Bears . The eight selections were the most from any team in the NFC . The Bears had not sent that many players to Honolulu since the 1986 Pro Bowl , which succeeded the 1985 NFL season , when they sent nine . On January 25 , Bears ' left guard Ruben Brown was named to his ninth Pro Bowl , taking the spot of injured Shawn Andrews of the Philadelphia Eagles . However , Harris , Urlacher , Kreutz , and Briggs missed the Pro Bowl on the account of injuries . Off the Field Incidents . Perhaps the most prevalent off - field occurrences were the actions taken by and against Tank Johnson and Ricky Manning , Jr . On December 14 , 2006 , Lake County police officers searched Johnson ' s home in Gurnee , Illinois , and discovered that he possessed six firearms , including two assault rifle s . Johnson was charged with violation of probation and possessing unlicensed weapons . A Chicago media storm erupted shortly after when Johnson ' s bodyguard was shot and killed December 16 , after attending a club with him . Bears coach Lovie Smith deactivated Johnson for the following game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers based on the incidents . Speculation arose in Chicago that the Bears ' defensive tackle would not be allowed either legally or by the team to travel to Miami to play in the Super Bowl , but he was ultimately allowed to play . Johnson eventually served 60 days in a Cook County jail because of the charges . Manning Jr . faced a similar situation that cost him a one game suspension . On April 23 , 2006 , two days after receiving an offer sheet from the Bears , Manning Jr . attacked a man in a Denny ' s restaurant after teasing him for working on a laptop computer . In September 2006 , Manning pled no contest to felony assault in exchange for another probation deal , though later he proclaimed his innocence .