Wondering about a player, a past game or another issue involving the Bears? Senior writer Larry Mayer answers a variety of email questions from fans on ChicagoBears.com.
The Bears' comeback win in Arizona on Monday Night Football in 2006 remains one of my favorite games of all time. Everybody remembers how the Bears rallied from 20 points down, but didn't the Cardinals have a chance to win with a late field goal?
Pete F.
Chicago Heights, Illinois
Yes, they did. After Devin Hester's 83-yard punt return touchdown gave the Bears a 24-23 lead with 2:58 remaining in the game, Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart completed 5 of 6 passes for 38 yards in leading Arizona to the Bears' 22-yard line. On third-and-one, Israel Idonije dropped Edgerrin James for a one-yard loss and Neil Rackers followed by hooking a 40-yard field goal attempt wide left with :47 to play, enabling the Bears to escape with the win.
Have the Bears ever made the playoffs after starting 0-2?
Paul K.
Oak Forest, Illinois
No, they haven't. Of the 14 times the Bears have advanced to the playoffs since the 1970 NFL/AFL merger, they started 2-0 10 times and 1-1 on four occasions. They've opened 0-2 eight times during that span and finished with records of 3-11, 6-10, 3-6, 7-9, 4-12, 4-12, 5-11 and 7-9. The last time the Bears were 0-2 was in 2003, Dick Jauron's final year as coach.
I seem to remember Kyle Long having several good games against the Packers in recent years. Do the stats bear that out?
Steven C.
Yes, they do. Matt Forte has rushed for over 100 yards in four of his last five games against the Packers, running for 125 and 110 yards in 2013, 122 and 54 yards in 2014 and 141 yards in the 2015 season opener. Interestingly, his recent success came after he had failed to top 100 yards in his first nine career games against Green Bay from 2008-12.
