The Chicago Bears Stress Turnovers and Make it to Miami

Today at 3:00 p.m., the National Football League's National Football Conference (NFC) championship game was played in Chicago, Illinois. The New Orleans Saints traveled to Soldier Field to face the Chicago Bears on a freshly resodded field.

In the history of the two teams, Chicago has had much more success than New Orleans, currently holding 54 winning seasons to the Saints' 8. The Bears also have 9 NFC championships, whereas New Orleans has 0.

Leading the league in points scored off turnovers at 143 during the regular season, Chicago's defensive coordinator stressed the need for turnovers in this game, and he got them. Midway through the first quarter, the Bears forced a fumble and recovered on the Saints' 40-yard line.

They made it to the 4-yd line on 4^th and 1 with 2:16 left, and rather than take the field goal, they went for it. After getting the first down, they were unable to make the touchdown, and had to settle for the 3 points, scored by kicker Robbie Gould.

On the subsequent kick-off return, the Bears forced another fumble, which was challenged by New Orleans head coach Sean Payton. The official upheld the ruling on the field, and the Bears took over the ball on the New Orleans 30. But again, they couldn't get the touchdown, and Gould came onto the field to put up another 3 points.

When the Saints could still not score any points, the Bears took over again, and quarterback Rex Grossman could still not get the ball into the endzone. Following another field goal by Robbie Gould, the score showed 9-0 in favor of Chicago.

The top-rated offense of New Orleans just couldn't move the ball. On Chicago's next drive, Grossman gave Thomas Jones the ball every time, and he ultimately got a touchdown, bringing the score to 16-0.

With final hopes of first half points, New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees completed a 29-yard pass to Marques Colston and the Saints used their final timeout with just over a minute left to play in the first half. Brees kept the ball near the sideline, leading the team down the field. The drive lasted for 1:10 and went 73 yards in 8 plays, culminating with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Colston.

Going into half time, Chicago was leading New Orleans 16 - 7.

The Saints got the ball first in the second half, and on this drive, Reggie Bush ran 88 yards for a touchdown to bring the score to within 2 points. On their next drive, they brought in Billy Cundiff to attempt a 47-yard field goal attempt that was ultimately short.

The Bears were unable to rack up any more points until Drew Brees got an intentional grounding call in the endzone, resulting in a safety. From there, Chicago ran away with it.

After Berrian caught a 33-yard touchdown pass, the score went to 25 - 14. Then Ogulneye sacked Brees and forced a third turnover. Again, the Bears ran it for a touchdown on an 8 play drive for 85 yards that used 2:24 on the clock.

With 11:24 left to go, the Saints needed to score on their next drive. But Brees threw an interception and the Bears took over on their own 38. Failing to make a first down, they were forced to punt. New Orleans was given another chance to make up the 18 point deficit, but they were unable to do so.

The Bears scored another touchdown on their next drive with just over 4 minutes to bring the score to 39 - 14, and that's where it ended.