NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

Each NFL team’s out of nowhere season

By Randy Gurzi

15 Nov 1998: Running back Jamal Anderson #32 and wide receiver Terance Mathis #81 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrate during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. The Falcons defeated the 49ers 31-19.
15 Nov 1998: Running back Jamal Anderson #32 and wide receiver Terance Mathis #81 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrate during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. The Falcons defeated the 49ers 31-19. /
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Brian Urlacher, Chicago Bears
Brian Urlacher, Chicago Bears. Mandatory Credit : Jonathan Daniel/Alllsport /

Chicago Bears: 13-win season in 2001

After five-straight losing seasons from 1996 through 2000, the Chicago Bears ended up having a huge season in 2001, as they ripped off 13 wins and won the NFC Central. Head coach Dick Jauron took over the Bears in 1999 and was 6-10 as a rookie and 5-11 the following season. Overall, he was just 35-45 for the Bears in five seasons, but he had quite the run in 2001.

Led by middle linebacker Brian Urlacher and his 116 tackles and six sacks, the Bears led the league in defensive scoring that season. In addition to Urlacher’s stellar play in the middle, safety Mike Brown added five picks and two touchdowns, while linebacker Rosevelt Colvin led the team with 10.5 sacks.

Offensively, things revolved around rookie running back Anthony Tomas. He had the best season of his career that year, going for 1,183 yards and seven touchdowns. He made up for their lack of great quarterback play.

Jim Miller was the primary starter, going 11-2 as a starter, but he had just 2,299 yards passing with a 13-10 touchdown to interception ratio. Shane Matthews played the other three games and was 2-1, while tossing more picks (six) than touchdowns (five).

In addition to the offensive woes, part of what made this season feel so unexpected was that the Bears reverted to their old ways after season’s end. They had three more losing seasons to follow until new head coach Love Smith started to turn things around.

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