Bears, Colts Headed To The Super Bowl
The Chicago Bears know how to make a Super Bowl memorable. They're making this one historic long before it's played.
Dissed all season long, Rex Grossman and Co. are heading to the big game for the first time since 1985 after rolling over the New Orleans Saints 39-14 Sunday, and Da Coach leading them there makes it all the more special.
Lovie Smith became the first black head coach to reach the NFL's marquee game in its 41-year history and roughly four hours later, his good pal and mentor Tony Dungy of the Indianapolis Colts joined him.
"I'll feel even better to be the first black coach to hold up the world championship trophy," Smith said after the Bears won the NFC championship.
This isn't the wild bunch, led by coach Mike Ditka and quarterbacked by Jim McMahon, that paraded down Bourbon Street, then routed New England for the championship 21 years ago. Its defense isn't overpowering, its quarterback isn't a renegade, its reputation isn't celebrated.
This team, despite its impressive record, was maligned all season and never possessed the overpowering aura of Ditka's gang.
Still, Smith's team did it in true Bears fashion, with big plays on defense and a steady running game in the sleet and snow, ending the Saints' uplifting saga.
The Bears (15-3) will play the Colts (15-4) in Miami in two weeks. Indianapolis beat New England 38-34 for the AFC title.
Peyton Manning, football's most prolific quarterback, rallied the Indianapolis Colts from 18 points down and drove them 80 yards for the winning score in a wildly entertaining 38-34 victory over the Patriots.
In his nine years in the league, Manning has never played in a game like this AFC championship contest. He threw for 349 yards and one touchdown and brought his team back from a 21-3 deficit.
Joseph Addai capped Manning's late drive with the winning score, a 3-yard run with 1 minute left to help the Colts (15-4) complete the rally and send coach Tony Dungy to his first Super Bowl — and a very special one.
Dungy and the Colts will face the Chicago Bears and his good friend Lovie Smith in Miami in two weeks. Together they are the first black coaches to make the Super Bowl in its 41 years.
After Indy's last touchdown, Manning was on the sideline, his head down — he couldn't bear to watch. New England's Tom Brady — he of the three Super Bowl rings — threw an interception to Marlin Jackson and the RCA Dome crowd went wild. One kneel down later and Manning ripped off his helmet to celebrate.