2002 Chicago Bears season
| 2002 Chicago Bears season | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Head coach | Dick Jauron |
| General manager | Jerry Angelo |
| Owner | The McCaskey Family |
| Home field | Memorial Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 4–12 |
| Division place | 3rd NFC North |
| Playoff finish | did not qualify |
| Pro Bowlers |
Marty Booker Olin Kreutz Brian Urlacher |
The 2002 Chicago Bears season was their 83rd regular season completed in the National Football League. Though the team had hopes of returning to the playoffs after an unexpected 13–3 season the previous year, the club posted a dismal 4–12 record and missed the postseason. The Bears had trouble on both sides of the ball, finishing 27th in the league in points scored and 23rd in points allowed.
Because Soldier Field was being rebuilt, the Bears were forced to play all of their home games at Memorial Stadium on the campus of the University of Illinois. The Bears never seemed to get used to their new home field, and injuries piled up as the season went on for both offense and defense. Starting QB Jim Miller was injured throughout the year, leaving the team no choice but to use backup Chris Chandler and rookie third-string QB Henry Burris for both spot relief and as starters. 2001 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Anthony Thomas suffered a broken right index finger in Week 15 against the Green Bay Packers. These injuries and the league's 23rd worst turnover differential contributed to the team's franchise record-tying eight-game losing streak and their poor record.
The Bears started off the year in their temporary home of Memorial Stadium against the divisional opponent Minnesota Vikings. The Bears got off to a slow start, outgained 272–118 yards and outscored 20–10 by the Vikings at the half. Heat exhaustion took its toll on the secondary, with temperatures creeping as high as 118 degrees. At one point during the second quarter, none of the defensive backs on the field had been starters on the team during the previous season. Veteran Daunte Culpepper closed out the half with a 33 yd TD strike to Randy Moss in the final minute.
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