There’s something fitting about the Bears and Saints crossing paths again this week. Two teams in very different places — one searching for footing, the other discovering its identity — meeting in a matchup that quietly carries decades of shared history. For Bears fans, no chapter in that history shines brighter than a snowy afternoon at Soldier Field that ended with confetti in the air and a trip to the Super Bowl on the line.
Nearly two decades later, that 2006 NFC Championship Game still stands as one of the defining moments in modern Bears history. It was the last time Chicago reigned atop the NFC, the last time Soldier Field truly felt like a fortress, and the last time the Bears’ defense, toughness, and culture fully embodied what the city demands from its football team.
So, before this year’s Bears and Saints kick off at Soldier Field, we rewind to that unforgettable January day — when a relentless defense, a bruising run game, and a unified locker room sent Chicago to Miami with the NFC crown in hand.
Linebackers Brian Urlacher #54 and Lance Briggs #55 of the Chicago Bears warm up on the field before the start of Super Bowl XLI against the Indianapolis Colts on February 4, 2007, at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)Bears vs. Saints: Revisiting the 2006 NFC Championship Game
It was a bitter January night in Chicago — cold enough for light snow to dust Soldier Field — when the Bears and Saints met in the 2006 NFC Championship Game. The Bears, riding a 13–3 regular season, had secured home-field advantage and a chance to punch their ticket to Super Bowl XLI.
The Saints, making their first conference championship appearance in franchise history, were led by new coach Sean Payton, vibrant rookie weapons, and a city still recovering from Hurricane Katrina’s aftershocks. The stakes were enormous — this was more than a game for both franchises.
From the outset, Chicago set the tone. The Bears’ defense attacked New Orleans relentlessly, fronted by Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs, Adewale Ogunleye, and Israel Idonije. They forced turnovers, broke timing, and ensured Drew Brees never felt comfortable enough to settle in. On offense, Chicago leaned on balance. Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson combined for 183 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Jones, especially, ran with power and efficiency — 123 yards and two scores on 19 carries — breaking off chunk runs and wearing down the Saints’ front.
Chicago repeatedly flipped the field with turnovers and special teams plays. The Bears generated four takeaways — three fumbles and one interception — against a Saints offense that, for all its yardage, couldn’t protect the football. Early in the game, Nathan Vasher recovered a fumble from Marques Colston, setting up a short field for points. Later, an intentional grounding penalty in the end zone by Brees resulted in a safety, further tipping the momentum.
While New Orleans actually outgained Chicago in total yards (375 to 335), that edge proved hollow without ball security. Brees completed 27 of 49 passes for 354 yards and two touchdowns, but also hung his team with three turnovers and costly miscues. One of the signature moments came when Reggie Bush took a swing pass 88 yards for a touchdown, cutting the deficit to 16–14 — but the Bears would answer that quickly and decisively. After that flash of momentum, Chicago scored 23 unanswered points in the second half to pull away.
In the fourth quarter, the Bears put it away. Rex Grossman connected with Bernard Berrian for a 33-yard touchdown, Benson gashed the Saints again, and Jones closed the scoring with a short run.
This wasn’t just a convincing blowout — it was a statement. A Bears team that had, for years, struggled in big moments suddenly looked composed, complementary, and complete. That win helped cement the idea that Chicago could succeed in every facet: run, pass, pressure, and turnovers. It was a night where the culture, the grit, and the identity all aligned — the kind of performance that becomes part of a franchise’s DNA.
The matchup has more profound resonance as the 2025 Bears prepare to host the Saints. Chicago’s cultural reset under Ben Johnson, newfound confidence in close games, and recent “culture wins” mirror that 2006 squad’s ethos.
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