Top ten Bears moments in 2008

So, somehow, the Bears season isn't over quite yet. I don't believe what I saw Monday night quite yet, either. While a Giants win over the Vikes next week is unlikely - hell, maybe so is a Bears win over the 'surging' Texans - at least there is still hope. But here at TTCS, we like to jump the gun a bit. So here are ten moments from this Bears season that will stay with us.

10. The coin flip

Lovie Smith and Ron Turner may be the only two humans in the country that needed to rely on a coin flip to determine that Rex Grossman should not touch the football.

9. Peanut's penalty

During Week Three, the Bears seemed to have stopped the Bucs deep in their own territory until Peanut Tillman bailed out Tampa with a personal foul. It led to a free first down and eventually the game-winning field goal.

8. Orton's comeback in Atlanta

It's hard to remember now, but Kyle Orton looked to have created his own little place in Bears lore against the Falcons during Week Six. Orton engineered an 11 play, 77-yard touchdown drive in 2:33 to give the Bears a lead against Atlanta. Too bad it couldn't hold...

7. Packers lay the smackdown in Lambeau

Possibly the defining game of the season for the Bears. They were riding high after wins against Minnesota and Detroit, and a narrow loss to the undefeated Titans without their starting quarterback. Orton returned, but was as ineffective as the rest of the team. The resulting blowout was really the first sign that maybe these Bears weren't anything to write home about.

6. Orton injury

Whoever thought an injury to Orton would be so damaging? The Bears quarterback hasn't been the same since he injured his ankle late in the first half against the Lions.

5. Goal line stuff against the Eagles

A quick recap:

They had second down at the 1 when Tony Hunt got tackled for no gain by Kevin Payne and Mike Brown. A leaping Buckhalter, filling in for injured Pro Bowl running back Brian Westbrook, then got stopped a few inches short by Adewale Ogunleye on third down. Alex Brown wouldn’t let him go over the top on the next play, dragging him down before he went to the air.

4. Resilient on Monday night

It wasn't pretty, but the Bears' Week 16 Monday night home win over the Packers was absolutely necessary. Next week, we'll see if this frustrating season ends in a playoff birth.

3. Matt Forte's coming out party

Most expected the Bears to get crushed Week One when they headed to Indianapolis to take on the Colts in the opener at their new stadium. But the Bears rookie runner stole the show on national TV, busting a 50-yard touchdown run and finishing the day with 123 yards on the ground.


2. 99-yard bomb to Berrian

Shades of Brett Favre-to-Robert Brooks? I think so. This time, however, the effect was even more damaging. The Bears stood a chance after their old friend caught a bomb from Gus Frerrotte. The division may have well been decided right there.

1. Squib kick in Atlanta

It's all Jerious Norwood's fault. Had the Falcons returner not busted a long kick off return in his previous attempt, it's a good bet Lovie Smith never goes for a squib. Because of it, a certain win in Atlanta turned into a devastating loss, and it may have cost the Bears a trip to the playoffs.