CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Bears wipe out Falcons

Soldier Field
Chicago, IL
Dec 31, 2023

Although the 2023 Chicago Bears opened the season 0-5, they have now won 7 games, with their home win over Atlanta last weekend.

Bears beat Falcons by Paul Sager, on Flickr


Could this be Justin Fields’ next-to-last game as the Bears’ starting quarterback? The 3rd year player is only 10-27 as an NFL starter. Fields posted a 99.5 passer rating Sunday.

Bears beat Falcons


Sunday's flurries didn't accumulate on the pavement (nor much on the grass) in the 32-34F air temps.

Bears beat Falcons


We were seated in the north endzone, where most of the game action occurred, including 2 missed field goals by the Atlanta kicker. Our section claimed an 0-2 'winning' record against that player.

Bears beat Falcons


Although Fields' total season numbers have him ranked among the league's worst, since returning in week 11 from a thumb injury, he is second in rushing yards on designated run plays by quarterbacks (429), behind only Lamar Jackson of Baltimore.

Bears beat Falcons


Will quarterback Justin Fields (#1) still have a locker stall at Halas Hall when organized team activities begin in May? Or, will the Bears opt to reboot with a new quarterback they draft in April 2024? Another NFL draft where the Bears again have the #1 pick...

Bears beat Falcons


Bears kicker Cairo Santos (#8) was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for November. He signed a four year extension worth $16 million the weekend before the Falcons game. He went 3 of 4 in field goal attempts Sunday, missing his longest attempt from 55 yards.

Bears beat Falcons


The "Bear Down, Chicago Bears" fight song was written in 1941 by Al Hoffman under the pseudonym Jerry Downs, in the early stages of the "Monsters of the Midway" era of the 8x NFL Champion Bears.

Bears beat Falcons


Rookie cornerback Tyrique Stevenson had two interceptions, four pass breakups, and five tackles against the Falcons. On Wednesday, Stevenson was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week. See #44 below.

Bears beat Falcons


We'll never forget the way you thrilled the nation with your T-formation.
Bear down, Chicago Bears, and let them know why you're wearing the crown.
You're the pride and joy of Illinois! Chicago Bears, bear down!"

Bears beat Falcons


Three hours in the cold, with snow-wet pants, could only really be endured with a happy crowd, a pretty companion, and an action-packed home team win.

Bears beat Falcons


“I will definitely remember this game for the rest of my life,” said Justin Fields post game. “Just the atmosphere, the fans, the chants, the snow. … Playing the hometown team, beating them, it was a good day today.”

Bears beat Falcons


Images shared in this post come from a Canon PowerShot G9XII, captured in RAW, and processed in Adobe Lightroom v6.

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

Great set of REAL life pics... Brrr... LOTS of die hard fans; nice to see great shots from affordable cameras...

raymondh Loc: Walker, MI

Sports section?

chuckrem Loc: Katy, Tx

Great set of pics and narrative!

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

Da Bears...
Great shots.
That is the coldest stadium I've ever been in. Drove to ChiTown several years ago when they played the Bengals and the breeze off the lake would cut you in two- I was numb for several days after that game.
Don't remember who won...

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Thanks tradio! I'm a Centerville and UD grad. And, I was present in the upper deck for the Jan '82 Freezer Bowl. Nowadays, there's Bengals bar in Lincoln Park, right next to a Brown-line L stop, a bit less packed this season than last year's playoff success.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Thanks Bob, raymondh, chuckrem, tradio! Nowadays, the bag size limits for NFL games make trying to bring a larger camera a hassle. Michele was shocked her smallest purse would still be too large to get through security when I showed her the posted limits on the website. Thankfully, we brought a blanket. I just wish I'd covered my legs during the early heavy show so I wasn't soaked through the rest of the game.

jonsailhob

Great set! We all hope for better next season.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Thanks jonsailhob! We'll take a season-ending victory over the Pack as a kick-starter for 2024, especially if it keeps them out of the playoffs.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

So-o-o, so much on target! As scarred Viking fan since 1961, any team playing GB on any day is, for 3 hours, my favorite.
Well done, Paul!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Thanks 47greyfox! This time last year, my heart opened a bit for the Lions.

Earnest Botello Loc: Hockley, Texas

Great series, Paul.

srg

Moondoggie Loc: Southern California

Terrific series, Paul. I like that photos that you captured the snow fall during the game.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Thank you Earnest, srg, Moondoggie! That light snow was some of the most we've received so far this season. Maybe some of substance next week?