What an experience Sunday was.  First the drive.  It was snowing in Wisconsin and with little in the way of street lights even on the freeways up here, there were times one couldn't see the road.  Slow goings to say the least.   In the time it normally takes to make it from where I live near the Dells to the exit for the Elgin casino, I had only made it to the state line.

Fortunately, once getting to the Illinois line, the precipitation had turned to mostly rain.  Despite temps near freezing, the roads were well salted and the pace picked up dramatically.

About an hour before I arrived at the parking garage near O'Hare, I received a call from a fellow chicagosports.com message board member, BearsLbBack, who had arrived in Chicago Saturday night from Connecticutt.  We were hoping to meet up somewhere before or during the game.  Our seats were both on the West side so meeting seemed probable. 

Finally arriving at the Cumberalnd "L" station, my son and I put all our warmer clothes on and made our way up to the "L" platform.  As we boarded the train, I reached for my phone only to realize I had left it on the car charger.  Oh well, so much now for catching up with BLB.

My son is a little superstitious... when we made our way toward the Planetarium parking lot, he made sure we travel the same path we normally take.  Found some humor in that. 

Finally arrived at the tailgate spot where friends have been made completely from message boards, we enjoyed some traditional tailgate treats like bratwurst, but one of the tailgaters always brings foods that are native to the road team.

Thus we enjoyed some cajun jumbalaya which was extremely good!!

Adam and I began the walk to the stadium shortly after noon.  It wasn't very crowded at that point, but the gate at the South end zone was flooded with people entering by the time we got there. 

We found the WBBM booth (the local AM station that broadcasts Bears Football) and listened to some of the pre-game broadcast before veturing out to the South end zone seats to watch pre-game warmups.  Rex and the receivers were working near that goal line and passes seemed to be flying well.  The field was very damp.

We positioned ourselves directly behind the South goal posts to watch the kickers.  Despite the winds coming mainly from the East, there was no doubt the range for either kicker was not going to be much more than 42-43 yards.  That proved prophetic when Cundiff lined up for a 47 yard attempt in the third quarter and landed... about 4 yards short!!!

As warmups continued, Saints fans were walking around almost parade like, fitting for fans from a city that needs no excuse to have a parade.  There was one fan dressed in black, complete with mask and cape calling himself "Datman."  There were a few people talking smack to our visitors from the deep south, but for the most past, most Bears Fans walked by and simply said good luck.

As game time grew closer, the electricity in the air was palpable.  When the players headed to the locker rooms, Adam and I made the trek to section 430 Row 17 Seats 19-20!!

Not having an ice scraper with me, I thought of the next best thing....  I pulled out a credit card from my wallet and used it to clean the ice off our seats. Yes, it was a Bears Credit card.  The edge of the card is roughed up from its use as a scraper, but the memories... will always be there whenever I reach for that card.

I didn't know it then, but I could have kept the card in my pocket.  People were standing even before the National Anthem and seldom sat the rest of the game. 

To a man, everyone around our seats was hoping the Bears would win the coin toss and Hester would give us a great start, but it wasn't to be and New Orleans began the game on offense.

The crowd was amazing.  Screaming at every opportunity.  I had the great fortune to be at 4 playoff games;  The Giants and Rams in 85, and the Eagles, 49ers in 88.  Never was a crowd more amped for a game.   EVER!!

There was a flachback to last year when Devery caught the 40 yard pass to give New Orleans a first down at our 32, but Tillman had his hands on it and almost came up with the pick.  Three plays later Izzy Idonije sacked Brees and forced the punt.

As the game progressed, there were a few concerns about the offense not getting into the end zone.  The missed TD when Clark was wide open in the end zone stung.  Still it was 9-0 and the defense wasn't  allowing a thing.

The crowd was delerious when Jones scored near the end of the first half making it 16-0.  The buzz going thru Soldier field was unlike anything I had ever experienced.

Most people will remember the great catch by Berrian for the TD in the 4th quarter, but the catch of the game was by M. Colston.  After taking the kick after Jones' score, the Saints faced 3rd and 10 at their own 27.  Colston's grab of Brees' underthrown ball could have gone down in the history books, as it was THAT GOOD!!!

16-7 at half time.  I am sitting (one of the few times all day) talking with Adam right before the second half kickoff telling him how important answering New Orleans score will be.  The first possession starts well with a nice grab by Berrain good for 17 yards.  From where we were sitting as the Bears broke the huddle, my sons says Grossman is going deep on the next play.  Sure enough,  Rex throws deep down the left side, but the play is broken up.  Two plays later, the Bears are forced to punt.  After a penalty, the Saints have to begin at their own 7 yard line.

The crowd is shocked when they see Bush get behind the defense (thanks to an illegal pick)  and races 88 yards.  Suddenly the game is within a Saints field goal from a lead change and we are all looking for that Hester spark.

Cundiff and the Saints try to kick the ball away from the Windy  City  Flyer, but the plan backfires.  After the ball is kicked out of bounds, giving Chicago the ball on the 40, fans around me are saying "time to take charge."

Expecting Chicago to try and regain momentum by running the ball, the Saints were ready for Jones and tackle him for a two yard loss.  The two scores has given the Saints the shot in the arm they needed and forced yet another three and out.  Brad Maynard, punting the ball well all day, gets off another fine one with great hang time,   allowing the center to get down field to stop Bush for no gain on the return.

The Saints mount another drive but stalls at the Bears 29, where New Orleans sends in Cundiff for a 47 yard attempt.  The kick is almost blocked at the line, but ends up short just as his kicks were short during pre-game. 

Hoping the stop would put some life back in to the Bears offense, Chicago gets the ball at the 37 yard line, only to see the Saints defense playing at their most inspired all day forcing another three and out. 

Maynard magic.

Brad Maynard booms a kick that appears headed to the pylon and a touchback, but ends up going out of bounds at the five yard line.

Filled with a rekindled energy, the Bears defense forces Brees to throw the ball away while in the end zone.  After a pregnant pause the referee, after consulting with another official drops his yellow flag and rightfully rules the play intentional grounding and awarding the Bears a SAFETY!!!  Suddenly, the Saints now must score 6 to take the lead and the crowd is right back in the game!!!

After the safety, both teams have the ball but exchage punts.  The Bears now have the ball with 16:47 remaining in the game.  Previous to this possession, Rex seemingly had been asked to manage the game.  There were several plays where a pass was broken up but the ball was placed where it needed to be.  Other times Grossman had near misses to Berrain and Davis.  This drive was critical for the Bears, and it was starting at their own 15....

1-10  Short pass to Berrian for 13 yards

1-10  Jones carries for 7 yards.

2-3    Grossman to Muhammad for 20 Yards.

1-10  Grossman to Berrian  for 12 yards.

1-10  Grossman to Berrian  33 yards TOUCHDOWN

5 PLAYS 85 YARDS. GROSSMAN 4-4 78 YARDS.

Suddenly, what had become a one score, nerve racking game, was now an 11 point lead with 14 minutes to play.

After a sack on second down there was some confusion when it seemed like Ogunleye had recovered a fumble but a Saints player stripped the ball and New Orleans recovered.  Lovie challenged the call and the crowd expected a reversal.  The stadium jumbotron showed the ball coming clean when Wale sacked Brees.

The referee came back with the right call and the Bears were back in business.  After an offside on the Saints, Chicago had first and 5 from the 21.  Five plays later, Cedric Benson bowled over anyone in his path and lunged in to the end zone for another TD aNd suddenly what had been a tight two point game had become an 18 point blowout.

The crowd was insane the rest of the game.  Nate Vasher intercepted a Brees pass for their 4th turnover of the game and Thomas Jone has a great TD run to make the final 39-14!!

After Rex kneeled to run off the last few seconds of the game, he turns the Bears bench, winds up and throws the ball in to the crowd!!!  Time for the celebrating to begin on the field.  The fans had been celebrating for 20 minutes already.

What a great ride.  Back in 1985, the Bears received the Halas Trophy in their locker room after the game.  This time the crowd got to celebrate along with the team as they rushed a stage on to the field.  Seeing Brian Urlacher hold the Halas Trophy aloft for all of Chicago to see was absolutely unbelievable.

Special thanks goes to Vic W.  I met Vic thru a Bears message board a few years ago and we became friends.  He became a season ticket holder the same year he accepted a job that sent him out East.  He was there also, but sitting with another season ticket holder, using his extra ticket.

I had the pleasure to be at the NFC Championship game because I was sitting in Vic's seats. 

Thanks Vic.  You gave me a chance to create all new memories with my son.

Thanks for taking the time to read....

2006 has turned out to be very entertaining.  WIth Chicago and Indianapolis getting off to fast starts.  Baltimore returning to the form of circa 2000 and the collapse of so many teams, the playoffs this year should be fun to watch.

One would even think with so many twists and turns we have witnessed this season, the New York Giants may end up hosting the Kansas City Chiefs in Miami, as the NFC is the designated "home" team this year.

Chances for upsets this weekend?  There are many.  In fact, the lower seed could end up winning every wild card game this week.  A look:

Saturday 4:30 PM Kansas City at Indy.    The Colts can't stop the run and guess who is coming to town?  If there was no LT, everyone would be agog over what Larry Johnson has done the last two seasons.  More than 3,500 yards starting only 25 games!!!  Throw in 37 touchdowns and 188 carries that netted a first down in those two seasons..  Indianapolis is a 6 1/2 point favorite.  

Kansas City can also throw the ball.  I would not be surprised in the least should the Chiefs try some play action passes deep down field early against the Colts.

Saturday 8:00 PM Dallas at Seattle.   Not too very long ago the Cowboys enjoyed their status as the NFC's flavor of the moment.  Romo goes to the Pro Bowl????  Seattle meanwhile has lost two straight home games and limped into the playoffs.  Seattle's 12th man must be a major factor or the Cowboys could easily advance.

Sunday 1:00 PM  New York Jets at New England.   The Jets have already beaten the Patriots in Foxboro this year and had to win 5 of their last six games to make the post-season.  Chad Pennington is the comeback player of the year.    Of course the grass was replaced after that loss and New England hasn't lost at home since the Field-Turf was installed.

Sunday 4:30  New York Giants at Philadelphia.   On paper,the one sure thing should be an Eagles victory.  No team has had more MO going into the playoffs.  In this topsy-tuvry season some New Yorkers must be thinking "we've got them right where we want them."

As my blogging pal and respected scribe Ricko would say,  Thanks for taking the time to read.