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Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears Schedule - NFL 2012


Overview of the Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears have won more games than other franchises in the NFL as well as having the highest win ratio. The Bears won the NFL Championship eight times before the AFL-NFL merger but have won the Super Bowl just once in 1985. The Bears have struggled in the last twenty years, making the playoffs just four times. Their most successful season in this period was 2006, when they qualified for the Super Bowl for just the second time in franchise history.

Statistics Overview of the Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears were a founding member of the NFL in 1919. They have played their home matches at Soldier Field since 1971. The Bears won their only Super Bowl in 1985, where they defeated the New England Patriots. The Bears have been conference champions an amazing eleven times, 9 of which they won before the AFL-NFL merger in 1970. The franchise has won their division eighteen times and has qualified for the playoffs on twenty-six occasions. They have a regular season record of 712-520-42 and a playoff record of 17-18. Their rivalry with the Green Bay Packers is considered the greatest in the history of the NFL, with the teams meeting 192 times.

Conference: NFC
Established: 1919
Stadium: Soldier Field (1971- present)
Super Bowl Championships: 1 (1985)
Conference Championships: 11 (1921, 1932, 1933, 1940, 1941, 1943, 1946, 1956, 1963, 1985, 2006)
Division Championships: 18 (1933, 1934, 1937, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1946, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2010)
Playoff Appearances:: 26 (1932, 1933, 1934, 1937, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1946, 1950, 1956, 1963, 1977, 1979, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1994, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2010)
Overall Record: 712-520-42
Playoff Record: 17-18
Biggest Rivals: Green Bay Packers
Head Coach: Lovie Smith
Legenday Players: Walter Payton, Johnny Morris, Bill George, Brian Urlacher

Chicago Bears: Star Players for 2012

Quarterback: Jay Cutler

Jay Cutler was drafted by the Denver Broncos with the 11th pick of the 2006 draft. Cutler was involved in a competition with veteran Jake Plummer for the starting quarterback role in 2006, eventually winning the role towards the end of the season. Cutler was consistent as a starter in 2007 and had his breakout season in 2008, being selected for the NFC Pro Bowl team despite the Broncos finishing with an 8-8 record. A dispute with new Broncos coach Josh McDaniels led to Cutler being drafted to the Chicago Bears in 2009. Cutler was inconsistent in 209 and bore the brunt of the criticism for the Bears finishing the season 7-9 despite a 3-1 start. Cutler rebounded in 2010 leading the Bears to the playoffs and the NFC Championship game. Cutler started the 2011 season well but had his season ended by a broken thumb in week ten. The Bears struggled without Cutler and will be happy to have him back in 2012.

Offensive Star: Matt Forte

Running back Matt Forte was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 2008 NFL draft. Forte was the first Bears running back to run for over 1000 yards in his rookie season and finished fourth in NFL rookie of the year voting. Forte has been the Bears most consistent offensive weapon since his debut and contributes as both a back and a receiver. 2011 was Forte’s best season, with the twenty-six year old rewarded with selection in the NFC Pro Bowl team. Forte resigned with Bears in the offseason after being given the franchise tag.

Defensive Star: Brian Urlacher

Since his selection in the first round of the 2000 NFL draft middle linebacker Brian Urlacher has been one of the best defensive players in the NFL. Urlacher is an eight times NFC Pro Bowler and five times NFL All-Pro selection. He received the Ed Block Courage award in 2011 and received the great honor of being named in the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team. Urlacher has been the heart of the Bears strong defensive unit for the last decade and is one of the most popular players in the NFL. Urlacher missed most of the 2012 offseason with injury but is set to play the Bears season opener.

Head Coach: Lovie Smith

Lovie Smith has been the head coach of the Chicago Bears since 2004. He started his NFL coaching career as a linebackers coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before becoming defensive coordinator of the St Louis Rams in 2001. The Bears have been successful under Smith, winning their division on three occasions and qualifying for the Super Bowl in 2005. After a disappointing season in 2011 Smith is under pressure to bring the Bears back to the playoffs in 2012.