Chicago Bears 2012 Rewind: Overtime Heartbreaker vs. the Seahawks
One of the most common lessons learned in life is that we must learn from our mistakes. The best way to go forward in life and football is to look back. We all learn from the past to build on the future. From now on, every week I will be giving you a retrospective look at every one of last season’s games until the start of the season.
Clawing your eyes out with a rusty spork sounds pretty agonizing. Just the simple thought of that is painful. However, this game was worse. To me, this game was the real start of the Chicago Bears 2012 meltdown. Let’ start s the box score.
Game Summary
Dec 2, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Earl Bennett (80) flips into the end zone to score a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports
The game started out very well. Brian Urlacher caused an early fumble on Marshawn Lynch and the Bears recovered in good field position, took it down to the twelve, and scored a touchdown on a beautiful play action pass from Cutler to Bennett.
The Bears forced another Seattle punt and things looked good on the Bears next drive, until a fourth and one for Michael Bush. A quarterback sneak would have been perfect for this situation. Even a field goal would have been nice. However, the Bears sent in a standard Halfback dive for Michael Bush, and he failed to make his money.
The Seahawks took over. The game changed at that point, and the Seahawks drove down on the old-looking Bears defense and scored a touchdown. They added a field goal and went into the half up 10-7.
As the second half began, the Bears almost made up for the fact that they weren’t up 14-10 or 14-7 by going on a 94 yard touchdown drive that culminated in a Matt Forte touchdown reception. After a few good defensive drives by both teams, the Seahawks found themselves at their own three yard line with 3:40 left in the game.
After the Seahawks brought the ball to the fourteen, Charles Tillman did what he does best. He stripped the ball away from Marshawn Lynch at the 24, but a lucky bounce allowed the Russell Wilson to maintain possession. The Seahawks converted a 4th and three on a seemingly game winning touchdown drive.
They scored on a pass to Golden Tate, and the Bears easily could have kept him out of the end zone, but they went for the big hit and not the solid tackle. The Seahawks were up 17-14, and all hope looked lost. Enter Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall.
Cutler took the snap on a first down from his own fourteen, dodged a defender, and heaved the ball long for number fifteen, who leapt up and made an outstanding catch; it was his tenth of the game. Marshall, who earns the honor of the game’s MVP, took it down towards the thirty and dove out of bounds. Words can’t do it justice, watch for yourself:
Robbie Gould was good as gold again from 46 yards out, and the game was going to overtime. Unfortunately, the Seahawks were able to run all over the Bears tired defense and scored the game winning touchdown on a Sydney Rice touchdown. This was Brian Urlacher’s last game, and it was a terrible one.
Things to remember
Dec 2, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) is tackled by Chicago Bears middle linebacker Brian Urlacher (54) during the second half at Soldier Field. The Seahawks beat the Bears 23-17 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports
Out of all the games of the season, this one stand out to me the most, because out of all the games played, this one demonstrates the statement better than any other game I’ve ever seen that football is a game of inches. If Michael Bush gets that first down, the Bears can go up 14. If Charles Tillman’s forced fumble goes into the arms of a Bear, the Bears win. If Sydney Rice was hit hard before he was in the endzone, the Bears get the ball. This season, the Bears need to listen to Al Pacino and fight for every inch. Any given Sunday.