2006 Chicago Bears–Arizona Cardinals game

On October 16, 2006, during Week 6 of the National Football League (NFL) regular season, the Chicago Bears defeated the Arizona Cardinals, 24–23, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The undefeated Bears staged the "comeback of the year" against the 1-win Cardinals after trailing by 20 points at halftime.[1] This game is the first game in which the Bears won after trailing by 20 or more points since 1987 (they defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 27–26). According to the Elias Sports Bureau, it was the first win in Bears history in which they trailed by at least 20 points in the second half,[2] and the Cardinals became the first team in NFL history to lose consecutive games in a season after being ahead by 14 or more points at the end of the first quarter in each of their games. The Bears also set an NFL record for the biggest comeback without scoring an offensive touchdown in league history.[3] Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart became the first quarterback in history to throw at least 2 touchdown passes in each of his first 2 career starts. The last time a team won after committing 6 turnovers was over 20 years prior.[4]

"Monday Night Comeback" redirects here. For similarly-nicknamed sporting events, see The Monday Night Miracle.

2006 Chicago Bears–Arizona Cardinals game
University of Phoenix Stadium, the site of the game.
Chicago Bears
(5–0)		 Arizona Cardinals
(1–4)
24 23
Head coach:
Lovie Smith		 Head coach:
Dennis Green
1234 Total
CHI 001014 24
ARI 14630 23
DateOctober 16, 2006
StadiumUniversity of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
RefereeJerome Boger
Attendance63,977
TV in the United States
NetworkESPN
AnnouncersMike Tirico (play-by-play), Tony Kornheiser and Joe Theismann (color commentators)

The postgame press conference was notable for Cardinals head coach Dennis Green's profanity-laced rant, highlighted by the quote "But they are who we thought they were! And we let 'em off the hook!". The game was ranked #6 on NFL Top 10 on NFL Network for Top Ten Greatest Comebacks of All Time under the title "Cardinals Blow It"/"Monday Night Meltdown",[5][6][7] as well as Top Ten Meltdowns at #7.

Background

Prelude

Before the meeting, the Bears led the series 56–36, which also includes the Bears as the Decatur Staleys and Chicago Staleys, as well as the Cardinals as the Chicago Cardinals and St. Louis Cardinals (the team was also briefly known as the Phoenix Cardinals). Earlier in the year, in the preseason, the Cardinals defeated the Bears at Soldier Field 23–16 in a Friday night game.[8]

The Bears
Main article: 2006 Chicago Bears season

The Bears were having a great season, being undefeated heading into the game at 5–0, having their best start to the season since 1989, having committed only 5 turnovers all season and averaging an NFL-best 31.2 points per game, and scoring 156 points compared to allowing only 36 points. This was the Bears' first Monday Night Football appearance since 2003. The Bears' third-year coach Lovie Smith was having the best season start of his coaching career, going 1–4 in 2004 and 2–3 in 2005 (despite making the playoffs in 2005), and notably defeated four of their first five opponents by more than 3 touchdowns (26–0 win against the Green Bay Packers, 34–7 win over the Detroit Lions, 37–6 win over the Seattle Seahawks, and 40–7 victory against the Buffalo Bills; their other game was a 19–16 win over the Minnesota Vikings). The team was led by the talented-yet-inconsistent quarterback Rex Grossman, running back Thomas Jones, wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad, linemen John Tait, Olin Kreutz, and Roberto Garza, defensive linemen Adewale Ogunleye, rookie Mark Anderson, who eventually recorded 12 sacks on the season, linebackers Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs, and Brendon Ayanbadejo, rookie and future record holder for career returns for touchdowns and punt return touchdowns Devin Hester, a cornerbacking tandem in Charles Tillman and former record holder for the longest play in NFL history (broken by San Diego Chargers cornerback Antonio Cromartie) Nathan Vasher, Chris Harris, Mike Brown, and the 7th most accurate kicker in NFL history in Robbie Gould.[9]

The Cardinals
Main article: 2006 Arizona Cardinals season

The Cardinals, contrary to the Bears, were not having a good season, being 1–4 heading into the game, with their lone win being a Week 1 victory over the San Francisco 49ers, and mustering only 50 points while allowing 92 points. Dennis Green was leading the team, and was hoping for a win to snap their 4-game losing streak, as well as hopefully make the playoffs after going 5–11 the year before. The team's roster featured rookie quarterback and 2004 Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart, as well as rookie Leonard Pope, along with serious receiving threats in Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald, along with J. J. Arrington, running back Edgerrin James, Obafemi Ayanbadejo, brother of Brendon Ayanbadejo (both brothers played together with the Bears in the preseason in 2007), 3x Pro Bowler Darnell Dockett, Gerald Hayes, Orlando Huff, Calvin Pace, kicker Neil Rackers, as well as former MVP and Super Bowl XLIII quarterback Kurt Warner at backup.

Game summary

The Bears won the toss, and elected to receive the kickoff. After the Bears went 3-and-out, the Cardinals scored on their first possession on a Matt Leinart pass to Bryant Johnson, with Leinart completing 9 of his first 10 passes. After the Cardinals threw an interception, which was eventually challenged and reversed before ultimately punting, Bears quarterback Rex Grossman threw an interception to Aaron Francisco. The Cardinals scored on their next possession on a Leinart pass to Anquan Boldin. At the end of the first quarter, the Cardinals led the Bears, 14–0.

In the second quarter, after exchanging punts, Grossman threw another interception, this time to Gerald Hayes. Neil Rackers missed a field goal on the ensuing possession. The Cardinals recovered two Grossman fumbles in the quarter, and scored field goals on each of the ensuing possessions, making the score 20–0.

In the third quarter, the Bears started their comeback with a Robbie Gould field goal. Neil Rackers responded with a field goal, which turned out to be the final score for the Cardinals. Near the end of the third quarter, Leinart was sacked by rookie Mark Anderson, and fumbled the ball. Safety Mike Brown recovered the fumble and returned it 3 yards for a touchdown with just two seconds left in the quarter, making the score 23–10.

After an exchange of punts, Grossman threw an interception to Dockett, who returned it 73 yards for a touchdown. However, the Bears challenged the play, claiming Dockett was down by contact. The touchdown was nullified, though the interception stood. On the Bears' next possession, Grossman threw another interception, this time to Robert Griffith. On the second play of the ensuing possession, Edgerrin James had the ball stripped by Brian Urlacher. Charles Tillman recovered the fumble and returned it 40 yards for a touchdown. With the score 23–17, rookie Devin Hester returned a punt 83-yards for a touchdown to take the lead 24–23.[10] With a few seconds left in the game, Rackers set up for the game-winning field goal with less than a minute. After the Cardinals got into field goal range, Rackers, who missed only two field goals the season before, and already having made a 41-, 28- and 29-yard field goals, missed the 40-yard field goal, with the kick going wide left, with the ball possibly deflecting off linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer's fingertips.[11] The Bears took a knee to end the game, giving the Bears a 6–0 record, and dropping the Cardinals to a 1–5 record on the season.[12]

The game also featured one of the best performances of Brian Urlacher's career, with 19 tackles and a forced fumble that was returned for a touchdown. Teammate Devin Hester commented on Urlacher's performance, stating, "We watched the film and everybody was saying that he just turned into the Incredible Hulk the last four minutes of the game, just killing people and running over and tackling whoever had the ball."[13]

Dennis Green post-game rant

"My doctor was very happy. He called me the next day, said: 'You know what? After that kind of game, (me) blowing up like that was a very good stress reliever', and my wife agreed."

—Dennis Green[5]

After the loss, in the postgame press conference, Cardinals coach Dennis Green lost his temper, letting out a profane meltdown about the fact that the Cardinals defeated the Bears in the preseason, and because of that, they were confident in beating them again, and that his team blew it after attacking the Bears' weaknesses, and also yanked the podium, destabilizing the microphone before storming out of the room.[14] The rant's popularity led to it being featured in a Coors Light commercial the next season.[15]

The Bears are what we thought they were. They're what we thought they were. We played them in preseason—who the hell takes a third game of the preseason like it's bullshit? Bullshit! We played them in the third game—everybody played three quarters—the Bears are who we thought they were! That's why we took the damn field. Now if you want to crown them, then crown their ass! But they are who we thought they were! And we let 'em off the hook!

— Cardinals head coach Dennis Green

One year after the tirade, Green explained the context around the tirade by stating, "We went against this team in preseason and they're exactly what we think they are, which is a one-dimensional team." Green and his staff devised strategies to score points against the Bears defense in preparation for the game. He was frustrated when the Bears won despite the initial success of his game plan.[16]

Aftermath

The Bears finished the season with a 13–3 record, losing only to the Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, and Green Bay Packers, and met Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLI but lost, 29–17. The next season, the Bears sputtered to a 7–9 record. The game marked the beginning of the "good Rex/bad Rex" cycle, as quarterback Rex Grossman cycled between good performances vs bad performances.[17] He was eventually benched in 2008 and released in 2009 and signed with the Houston Texans. (Coincidentally, Leinart was signed by them a season later.)[18] Grossman eventually became the starting quarterback for the Washington Redskins.[19][20] His last NFL start was in 2011 for the Redskins, after which he was a backup quarterback for the Redskins, Cleveland Browns, and Atlanta Falcons.[21] Head coach Lovie Smith was fired after the Bears narrowly missed the playoffs at 10–6 following the 2012 season, and subsequently coached the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2014 to 2015 and the Houston Texans in 2022.

The Cardinals ultimately dropped to 5–11 at the end of the season, and Dennis Green was fired and was replaced by Ken Whisenhunt. Two seasons later, the Cardinals met the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII, but lost, 27–23, with Leinart having been benched at the start of the season in favor of veteran Kurt Warner. In 2010, despite Warner's retirement, Leinart was released by the Cardinals and was signed by the Texans,[22] starting Leinart's change to being considered a journeyman quarterback and (given his draft position and expectations coming out of college) a draft bust. By 2013, Leinart was out of football altogether.[23][24]

Starting lineups
ChicagoPositionPositionArizona
Offense
Muhsin MuhammadWRAnquan Boldin
John TaitLTLeonard Davis
Ruben BrownLGReggie Wells
Olin KreutzCNick Leckey
Roberto GarzaRGMilford Brown
Fred MillerRTOliver Ross
Desmond ClarkTEEric Edwards
Bernard BerrianWRBryant Johnson
Rex GrossmanQBMatt Leinart
Jason McKieFBObafemi Ayanbadejo
Thomas JonesHBEdgerrin James
Defense
Adewale OgunleyeLEChike Okeafor
Tommie HarrisDTDarnell Dockett
Tank JohnsonDTKendrick Clancy
Alex BrownREBertrand Berry
Brian UrlacherMLBGerald Hayes
Lance BriggsWLBOrlando Huff
Hunter HillenmeyerSLBKarlos Dansby
Charles TillmanLCBDavid Macklin
Nathan VasherRCBAntrel Rolle
Danieal ManningFSAdrian Wilson
Chris HarrisSSRobert Griffith
Special teams
Robbie GouldKNeil Rackers
Brad MaynardPScott Player
Rashied DavisKRJ. J. Arrington
Devin HesterPRTroy Walters
Patrick MannellyLSNathan Hodel

Statistics
Source:[25] Chicago Bears Arizona Cardinals
First downs917
Third down efficiency4/146/20
Fourth down efficiency0/10/0
Total yards168286
Passing yards130220
Passing – completions/attempts14/3724/42
Rushing yards3866
Rushing attempts1638
Yards per rush2.41.7
Penalties–yards6–509–65
Sacks against–yards2–141–12
Fumbles–lost2–22–2
Interceptions thrown40
Time of possession20:1739:43

Individual stats
Bears Passing
Player C/ATT* Yds TD INT
Rex Grossman14/3714404
Bears Rushing
Player Cara Yds TD LGb
Thomas Jones1143011
Cedric Benson1404
Jason McKie1−20−2
Rex Grossman3−70−1
Bears Receiving
Player Recc Yds TD LGb
Desmond Clark461026
Bernard Berrian231017
Rashied Davis227017
Thomas Jones314016
Cedric Benson1808
Muhsin Muhammad1202
Jason McKie1101
Bears Defense
Player Tak/Ast/Tott Int Ffe Sck
Lance Briggs13/2/15000.0
Brian Urlacher11/8/19010.0
Nathan Vasher6/3/9000.0
Mike Brown4/1/5000.0
Charles Tillman4/2/6000.0
Alfonso Boone3/1/4000.0
Alex Brown3/0/3000.0
Hunter Hillenmeyer3/1/4000.0
Israel Idonije3/0/3000.0
Todd Johnson2/0/2000.0
Tank Johnson2/0/2000.0
Mark Anderson2/0/2011.0
Ricky Manning2/2/4000.0
Tommie Harris1/2/3000.0
Danieal Manning1/1/2000.0
Cameron Worrell1/0/1000.0
Bears Kicking
Player FGA FGM XP LGf
Robbie Gould113/323
Cardinals Passing
C/ATT* Yds TD INT
Matt Leinart24/4223220
Cardinals Rushing
Player Cara Yds TD LGb
Edgerrin James3655012
J. J. Arrington21106
Cardinals Receiving
Player Recc Yds TD LGb
Anquan Boldin12136126 (TD)
Troy Walters42508
J. J. Arrington222012
Bryant Johnson217111 (TD)
Obafemi Ayanbadejo216013
Leonard Pope1909
Edgerrin James1707
Cardinals Defense
Player Tak/Ast/Totd Int Ffe Sck
Gerald Hayes6/1/7100.0
Adrian Wilson6/0/6011.0
Karlos Dansby4/0/4000.0
Darnell Dockett3/0/3100.0
Eric Green3/0/3000.0
Bertrand Berry3/0/30011.0
Antrel Rolle2/1/3000.0
Orlando Huff1/0/1000.0
David Macklin1/0/1001.0
Gabe Watson1/0/1000.0
Aaron Francisco1/0/1100.0
Robert Griffith1/1/2100.0
Antonio Smith0/1/1000.0
Cardinals Kicking
Player FGA FGM XP LGf
Neil Rackers532/241

*Completions/Attempts aCarries bLongest play cReceptions dTackles eForced Fumbles fLongest field goal

Scoring summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bears 0 0 101424
Cardinals 14 6 3023

at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

  • Game time: 8:30 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 73 °F (23 °C), clear

1ST QUARTER

2ND QUARTER

  • ARI FG: Neil Rackers 41-yard field goal ARI 17–0
  • ARI FG: Rackers 28-yard field goal ARI 20–0

3RD QUARTER

  • CHI FG: Robbie Gould 23-yard field goal ARI 20–3
  • ARI FG: Rackers 29-yard field goal ARI 23–3
  • CHI TD: Mike Brown 3-yard fumble return ARI 23–10

4TH QUARTER

Game results
DateTelevisionVisiting teamScoreHome teamScoreStadiumCity
October 16, 2006ESPNChicago Bears24Arizona Cardinals23University of Phoenix StadiumGlendale, Arizona

Officials
  • Referee: Jerome Boger (#23)
  • Umpire: Carl Madsen (#92)
  • Head Linesman: Ed Camp (#134)
  • Line Judge: Jeff Bergman (#32)
  • Field Judge: Scott Steenson (#88)
  • Side Judge: Joe Larrew (#73)
  • Back Judge: Perry Paganelli (#46)[26]

See also

References
  1. Mindzak, Andrew (December 23, 2010). "Top five NFL comebacks since 2000 – NFL – Yahoo! Sports". Yahoo! Sports. Archived from the original on December 28, 2010. Retrieved March 4, 2012.
  2. Elias Sports Bureau Inc. (October 17, 2006). "Elias Says ..." ESPN.com. Retrieved August 26, 2013.
  3. Rubenstein, Alan (May 30, 2013). "The Ten Greatest Comebacks in Chicago Sports History". Chicagonow.com. Retrieved August 26, 2013.
  4. "Bears do-it-all defense keys epic comeback vs. Cards". Scores.espn.go.com. October 16, 2006. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
  5. "Top 10 greatest comebacks in NFL history". NFL.com. July 29, 2009. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
  6. "NFL Videos: Top Ten Comebacks: Cardinals blow it". NFL.com. June 4, 2009. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
  7. "Bears' win ranked 7th best comeback". Chicago Bears. June 14, 2011. Archived from the original on January 10, 2012. Retrieved March 4, 2012.
  8. "Mistake-prone Bears struggle in loss to Cardinals". Chicagobears.com. August 25, 2006. Archived from the original on July 22, 2012. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  9. Roy Taylor. "2006 Chicago Bears". Bearshistory.com. Retrieved March 4, 2012.
  10. "NFL Videos: Devin Hester Highlight, WK 06 vs. Cardinals 2006". Nfl.com. August 22, 2007. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
  11. "Bears stun Cardinals with improbable rally". Chicagobears.com. October 16, 2006. Archived from the original on September 16, 2011. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
  12. "Chicago Bears at Arizona Cardinals – October 16th, 2006". Pro-Football-Reference.com. October 16, 2006. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
  13. "Roster". Chicago Bears. Archived from the original on May 19, 2011. Retrieved March 1, 2012.
  14. "Green's 42-second meltdown has made him a commercial icon". ESPN.com. December 23, 2007. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
  15. "Brewing a beer ad". Azcentral.com. September 4, 2007. Retrieved March 14, 2012.
  16. Wojciechowski, Gene (December 23, 2007). "Green's 42-second meltdown has made him a commercial icon". ESPN. Retrieved July 22, 2016.
  17. Wise, Mike (August 18, 2013). "Rex Grossman hangs on with the Redskins and hangs on to his self-belief". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 27, 2019.
  18. Allen, Kevin (June 12, 2009). "It's official: Rex Grossman signs with Houston Texans – Sports Pros(e)". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on April 20, 2012. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
  19. Maese, Rick (March 17, 2010). "Redskins sign Rex Grossman". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
  20. "Redskins Sign Rex Grossman". Redskins.com. March 17, 2010. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
  21. "Geary, Molly (December 22, 2014). "Report: Browns called Rex Grossman, couldn't work out logistics". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 27, 2019.
  22. "Matt Leinart agrees to join Texans". ESPN.com. September 6, 2010. Retrieved September 27, 2019.
  23. "2006 Arizona Cardinals Roster". Footballdb.com. Retrieved July 14, 2012.
  24. "Player Roster". azcardinals.com. Retrieved July 14, 2012.
  25. "Bears do-it-all defense keys epic comeback vs. Cards". ESPN.com. October 16, 2006. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
  26. Miller, Ira (November 12, 1985). "Elway, Broncos Chill the 49ers". San Francisco Chronicle. pp. 61, 63.
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