The Chicago Bears go dirty south to see what the Atlanta Falcons can serve up in front of a sell-out crowd at the Georgia Dome. Broadcast on Fox, the first quarter commenced with an Atlanta possession and a field goal. On the first play of their second possession, running back Michael Turner dropped the ball as he was being tackled. Bears defensive end Alex Brown scooped up the ball. Atlanta head coach Mike Smith fired up that red flag to challenge the call that Chicago recovered the fumble. Indeed, the call was reversed. Turner’s knee hit the ground while he was still holding the ball. The first quarter drew to a close with another Falcons field goal. 6 to 0.

The second quarter creeped to the nine minute mark and the Falcons were edging toward the red zone. Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan threw a complete pass to running back Jerious Norwood, who fumbled the ball as he was tackled. The ball was recovered by Bears defensive tackle Tommie Harris, who lost the ball as he was getting up. The ball was recovered by the Falcons. Bears head coach Lovie Smith challenged the call, claiming that Harris was down by contact. The call was not reversed.

Falcons wide receiver Roddy White made a touchdown catch two plays later, but it was nullified on account of an ineligible downfield pass. On the next play, Matt Ryan threw the ball to wide receiver Brian Finneran, who caught then dropped the ball. The Bears’ next possession ended in a field goal. Falcons cornerback Brent Grimes prevented Bears wide receiver Marty Booker from making a TD catch. Going into halftime, Atlanta 9 and Chicago 3.

The third quarter began with an Atlanta field goal. 12 to 3. It continued with the Bears running back Matt Forte touchdown. The fourth quarter started with a touchdown catch by Roddy White. Falcons 19 and Bears 10. On Chicago’s next possession, they made it all the way to the one yard line but was stopped by Atlanta. Rather than go for a field goal, though, they decided to try for the end zone–and they couldn’t do it. The Bears nearly got into the end zone near the end of the fourth quarter, but they had to field goal it. Atlanta 19 and Chicago 13. With just under four minutes left on the game clock, Jerious Norwood returned the kickoff for eighty-five yards. That drive was supposed to lead to a field goal, but Jason Elam missed it. Just when it looked like the Bears would not be winning this game, wide receiver Rashid Davis caught a TD pass. Chicago tied the game 19 to 19. The extra kick was good. Bears 20 and Atlanta 19. With eleven seconds still on the clock, the Falcons had another chance to win the game. Matt Ryan threw a complete pass to wide receiver Michael Jenkins. Jason Elam went on for a forty-eight yard field goal. And IT WAS GOOD!

Atlanta 22. Chicago 20. Final score.

Observations & Miscellania:

1. Brian Billick and Thom Brennaman were commentators. The latter remarked that the former and Mike Smith are brothers-in-law.

2. During the instant replay of Matt Ryan’s pass to Brian Finneran in the middle of the second quarter, the camera went to a medium close-up of Ryan walking (in slight slow-motion) towards screen right. His face wore unmistakable frustration.

4. Yes, Jason Elam’s field goal was no good in the bottom of the fourth quarter, but he was the one putting all the Falcons’ numbers on the board until Roddy White made the TD in the top of the fourth quarter. Elam’s first field goal was from the twenty-nine yard line, his second from forty-eight, his third from thirty-two, and his fourth from the forty-one.

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