>> Welcome to
"Monday Night Football."
Well, the word "best" and the
Arizona Cardinals often not
heard in the same sentence for a
long time.
But they may have the best
rookie quarterback of this
year's crop in Leinart, and they
may have the best stadium in the
NFL.
This place is spectacular.
Unfortunately, it stops there.
They're 1-4 out of the gate for
the fourth consecutive year and
struggling.
Meantime, the Bears are doing
anything but struggling.
They're rolling.
Chicago's opened 5-0.
They on average have given up
the fewest points per game in
the league and scored the most
points per game in the league.
Haven't had a 5-0 team do that
in 42 years.
The Bears are the real deal.
As we turn to Joe Theismann and
Tony Kornheiser, the NFL is so
fun when a big city's team is
going.
And, Tony, that Bears' buzz is
back again.
>> It's a rising tide on
Lake Michigan that floats all
boats, and the NFL is never as
old-school, never as compelling,
and never as much fun as when
the boys with the big shoulders
are back on top.
>> Well, on top is someplace the
Cardinals usually are not.
They hope to turn the franchise
around, and the guy who has been
asked to do it is someone who we
as football fans have seen a
lot, and we've seen him win a
lot.
That's Matt Leinart.
>> And, Mike, he has been on
top.
Matt Leinart.
All you need to do is look at
two simple numbers in
Matt Leinart's life -- 37-2 as a
starter.
That's what this man has
accomplished.
You hear terms like "mature
beyond his years," "poised," and
my favorite when they talk about
him -- "He has a quiet
confidence like Tom Brady."
Played pretty well against
Kansas City last week, almost
got his team a victory.
Completed over 20 passes and a
couple of touchdowns.
But he's gonna need a lot more
than that tonight.
He's gonna need an offensive
line to give him an opportunity
to stay upright.
Matt Leinart certainly has the
tools.
I'm impressed as heck with the
way he plays football.
Tonight he gets a real test
against the best in the game.
>> Yeah, and, luckily, we're
gonna get to eavesdrop on this
very tough test against the
Bears, 'cause Matt Leinart is
wired for sound.
Back in Arizona, the home of
Matt Leinart now.
And no quarterback has come into
the NFL with a greater set of
accomplishments.
Just look at them.
Two national titles -- and,
remember, he followed a Heisman
winner in Carson Palmer.
Not only did he win the titles,
but he also won the 2004
Heisman Trophy and that
sparkling 37-2 record that Joe
mentioned.
Michele Tafoya.
That's your name, isn't it?
Michelle spoke with the man who
had a front-row seat for all of
it.
>> Indeed, I did speak with
USC Head Coach Pete Carroll this
week, Mike, and I asked him for
his standout memory of
Matt Leinart.
And he didn't talk about the
national-championship games, the
gaudy record, or even the
Heisman Trophy.
He pointed to Leinart's
sophomore season and his fifth
game as a starter.
They had just lost to Cal and
were losing at Arizona State
17-10 at halftime.
Leinart had been beaten like a
drum in the first half.
He was in the locker room,
covered with ice packs, and as
his teammates left the locker
room to play the second half,
they all had to walk past their
wounded quarterback, who looked
beaten.
Coach Carroll was the last
person out, and with no one else
around, he challenged his
quarterback, calling him every
name in the book before heading
to the field himself.
Matt's been in these situations.
He loves these situations.
This isn't too big for
Matt Leinart.
>> We'll see how much he loves
it against that very tough team
on the other side.
He goes against the mighty Bears
defense tonight.
And glad to have our friends
with us at University of Phoenix
Stadium, recently renamed.
First stadium in North America
with a retractable grass field
and roof and lots of visitors
here.
Ton o' Bear fans in the house
tonight.
Speaking of all our rowdy
friends, one of our best
friends, Suzy Kolber, not with
us here tonight.
Suzy's back at home.
Suzy, we say hello, and we can't
wait to see you when you join us
in Dallas next week.
Neil Rackers set to kick it off.
Rashied Davis back to receive.
Off we go from Arizona.
A very poor kick that is fielded
up the sideline by the Bears
Adrian Peterson, the brother of
Jacksonville Jaguar linebacker
Mike Peterson.
Takes it to the 37-yard line.
So, here is "Rexy," as
Steve Spurrier used to call him.
Rex Grossman in his fourth year
out of Florida.
As we detailed on the pregame,
here's a guy who always found a
way to get hurt, banged up.
If it was the finger, it was the
knee.
If it was the knee, it was the
broken ankle in the preseason
last year.
And he came back at the very
end of the year.
The one thing about Grossman,
who walks into his 13th start
tonight, they all have
confidence in him.
They like him.
They believe in him.
And they think this is the
quarterback who can take them to
the top.
Drive start from the 38.
Throwing the deep ball right
away!
Incomplete.
Almost hit another home-run shot
with Bernard Berrian, who's
averaging 22 yards a catch this
year.
>> The Arizona Cardinals have
given up 23 passes of 20 yards
or more.
Here was number 24.
They just blow this coverage.
Bernard Berrian takes off on
Antrel Rolle and just blows
right by him.
This is what Bernard Berrian
has done game in and game out.
That time, ol' Rexy missed that
one, Mike.
>> And Berrian told us last
night, "Rex is so good at the
deep ball and putting just
enough air under it" to hit him
in stride.
Just a step away.
First-down run, Thomas Jones
gains about 2 yards.
On third and 9.
Cardinals bring pressure.
Grossman throws.
Almost intercepted, a hair high,
and Eric Green, second year out
of Virginia Tech, couldn't pull
it down.
Three-and-out out of the gate
for Chicago.
>> Mike, the fact that Chicago
missed a big play early now
settles the Arizona Cardinals
down just a little bit.
There's the ball.
It's a rocket ship that he
throws.
Just comes up short, but they
were able to stop the train at
least for a little while.
>> Probably the first
three-and-out Chicago's had all
year, if you read all the clips.
>> [ Laughs ]
>> They've scored on every pass
all year, if you read the clips.
>> Brad Maynard kicks.
Fair catch signaled for and
made by Troy Walters at the
22-yard line.
39-yard punt, and Matt Leinart
comes out.
He played in the mop-up role,
replacing Kurt Warner in the
game against Atlanta a couple of
weeks ago, then got the start
against Kansas City.
Two touchdowns in the first
quarter.
Struggled in the fourth.
Drove them in position for a
long, game-tying field goal that
Neil Rackers just missed.
But he did show poise in the
pocket in his first
National Football League start,
against the Chiefs.
Now he gets the mighty Bears
defense, a defense that's given
up 36 points thus far.
First throw hauled in by
Anquan Boldin, very productive
receiver, lot of catches, big
and strong, as you see there.
Gain of 5.
>> I like the way they're
starting this game.
Keith Rowen, the offensive
coordinator, is spreading the
Bears out, and he's got Matt in
the shotgun.
Get him away from the guys up
front.
Give him a chance to look.
Get it out to Anquan Boldin.
This is as good as any run they
could call to Edgerrin James.
You pick up 6 yards.
>> Boldin will be busy.
Larry Fitzgerald, another
outstanding receiver on this
team, out tonight with an
injured hamstring.
Obafemi Ayanbadejo in motion,
blocking for Edgerrin James, who
has to fight and does not get
back to the original line of
scrimmage.
Bears bring the heat.
Leinart got rid of it.
First down, Bryant Johnson, the
first-round draft pick out of
Penn State four years ago.
>> The fact that Matt Leinart is
in the shotgun allows him the
ability to back up.
You see the free runner.
Here comes the blitz, unblocked.
He manages to get the ball off,
even though Lance Briggs was
bearing down on him with no one
in front of him.
>> The mark is...
>> They're measuring here?
>> Yeah, it's just a hair behind
where the first-down line was.
So, we'll get a measurement
here.
>> I think if they make this,
the Cardinals ought to just
stop.
"We've done well.
We got the first first down of
the game.
We've surprised the world."
As Muhammad Ali would say,
"'We've shocked the world,' and
now we're leaving the field.
And you people, you know, drive
home safely."
>> [ Laughs ]
>> Easy!
>> No!
>> Easy.
We talked about the game last
week.
Leinart, in his first start,
completed 60% of his passes and
250 or more yards in an NFL
debut.
Last 50 years, Roman Gabriel,
Dan Marino, Brent Pease, and
that was in a strike game.
He was a replacement player.
And Leinart.
So, very small company to have
the kind of first start like
Leinart had against the Chiefs
last week.
Play-action.
Leonard Pope is the tight end,
a rookie out of Georgia.
Holds on right near another
first down.
Nathan Vasher hanging on to
bring down the big 6'8" Pope.
>> The maturity of Matt Leinart
is shown here and the mobility.
This is something he worked on.
Nice touch over Alex Brown.
A lot of quarterback, young
and/or veteran, would try and
gun that out.
Watch the touch he puts on the
ball.
Little bit of a basketball loop
out to Pope.
Gives him a chance to run with
it.
And Leonard Pope does a nice job
of protecting the ball as the
Bears get him down.
>> Brought those size-15 shoes
within a yard of the first down.
And Edgerrin James up the middle
for a first down against this
Bears defense, which is
fabulous, led by Lance Briggs.
And missing from the lineup,
Adewele Ogunleye with a
hamstring injury.
First-down run.
There's Edgerrin James looking
much more like the
Edgerrin James you're used to
seeing on national TV.
Gain of 9 yards.
Urlacher and Ricky Manning Jr.
on the tackle.
Fabulous with the Colts.
Free agency -- Colts were maxed
out with so many big-name
players.
He comes here, and right now,
Tony, he's been different.
>> Look what he does.
He has averaged barely 3 yards a
carry, and they expected him to
get 100 yards routinely, as he
often did with the Colts.
Has not happened here, and I
know, Joe, you think that's
because of a weak offensive
line.
>> I do.
I think their offensive line has
to play better.
But I like what Keith Rowen, the
offensive coordinator, is doing.
He's giving Matt Leinart an
opportunity to line up away from
that defensive line.
>> James runs out of the gun.
He meets Lance Briggs, and the
forward-progress mark is going
to give Edgerrin the first down
in Bears' territory.
>> Has not happened.
>> Four years, 30 million bucks.
He takes a blow on the sideline.
After the third first-down
pickup, Leinart completes it to
Anquan Boldin.
Make it four first downs, at the
28-yard line.
>> Okay, here's the deal here
with Matt Leinart and the
Arizona Cardinals.
Nobody expects them to win.
But he's taken the team down the
field.
And I know I'm getting way ahead
of myself -- even a score would
be a lot -- but if they were to
somehow win this game, that is a
career maker.
That's the Hollywood movie that
you want to script.
>> Wait a minute.
You told them to go back in the
locker room after they made a
first down.
Now you're talking about them
winning the game?
>> I think people forget quickly
what I've said, and I'm latching
on.
I'm a front-runner. Come on.
>> It was a short career.
>> Here is James.
A.J. Schable came in at fullback
and threw him a nice block to
get 5 yards on first down.
>> The game itself is one of
momentum.
We could look back at that first
pass that Chicago made.
Bernard Berrian -- if
Rex Grossman can get it there,
it's a touchdown.
Now you're playing from behind.
This is a very well-conceived
momentum-gaming type of a drive.
>> Chicago has not given up a
touchdown in the first half all
year, let alone the quarter.
>> Play 10 of the drive is
another James' run.
Edgerrin James for the first
down to the 17-yard line.
Urlacher brings him down.
>> My point is, you may not be
able to get excited about the
Cardinals in the second quarter
or the third quarter.
Let's do it right now.
Let's look at Matt Leinart, and
everybody says what a terrific
player he was at USC.
Obviously, 37-2.
He's leading the team down the
field against the best defense
in the league.
You got to jump up behind that,
Joe.
>> In the red zone.
Five first downs on the drive.
James patiently waits for the
hole to open.
Gets to the 12-yard line.
>> Tony, I don't think they're
gonna go away.
I think it's a little bit of a
misconception to say, "Okay,
it's the first quarter."
This is a football team that has
gained steam and gotten better
and better.
Where they haven't gotten the
production out of is their
offensive line.
That is the difference in
tonight's game.
You look at the amount of
touchdowns allowed in the first
quarter.
In the last eight regular-season
games -- forget about just this
year -- the Bears defense has
been tough.
>> Marcel Shipp replaces James
in the backfield.
And Leinart checks the play at
the line.
Quick toss.
Bryant Johnson made a man miss.
Bryant Johnson to the end zone!
Arizona, touchdown!
[ Crowd cheers ]
>> Okay, if you're Matt Leinart,
you've just had an extraordinary
debut on Monday night, after the
coach, Lovie Smith, of the
Bears, said, "I know he's played
at SC and all that, but he
hasn't played on Monday night
before."
Well, the last time I checked
the calendar, it was Monday
night.
The Bears hadn't given up a
touchdown all year in the first
quarter or the first half, and
this kid took them right down
the field.
>> The big stage does not
intimidate Matt Leinart.
Matter of fact, he relishes
these moments.
>> Neil Rackers the kicker.
Out of the hold of punter
Scott Player.
12 plays, 77 yards.
And Matt Leinart looks like
he's been doing this forever.
It's early, but it's not what a
lot of people expected, except
those in the cardinal and white.
7-0, Arizona.
Second kickoff by Rackers.
Rashied Davis, first opportunity
to return.
Brought down at the 20-yard line
by A.J. Schable, the backup
fullback.
8:00 in, first quarter, and the
Bears in a 7-point hole.
Grossman to Muhsin Muhammad.
Brought down very well by
Eric Green.
There are a lot of big-time
safeties in the NFC, but Wilson
is a very good one you don't
hear much about.
Thomas Jones on the screen,
brought down by Darnell Dockett.
Dockett just got a contract
extension earlier this week.
Third down coming up.
>> Thomas Jones, of course, was
an Arizona Cardinal and has gone
on to Chicago, and you saw an
appreciable difference in his
yards per carry when he went to
Chicago.
He was in Arizona when they
weren't a very good football
team, and their offensive line
was struggling at a time when
they couldn't get anybody
blocked.
>> Third and a couple.
[ Crowd cheers ]
Rashied Davis the motion man.
Grossman again airing it out
deep.
Right through the arms of
Antrel Rolle, the former
Miami Hurricane.
Could have had an interception.
Should have had an interception.
It's fourth down.
>> That's two straight
three-and-outs.
This is the old Bears.
These were the new Bears,
leading the league in scoring,
and that should have been
intercepted.
>> But these are the kind of
plays that come back to haunt
you later on.
You've got momentum.
You've scored a touchdown.
Now, all of a sudden, you have
the opportunity to intercept a
pass.
Remember that.
Write that one down.
That will come back and bite the
Cardinals.
>> Maynard to kick to
Troy Walters.
The Cardinals almost get in
there for the block.
They haven't had a punt return
in 211 games.
Walters, only a return of a
couple yards.
>> Now. Go!
Yeah, baby!
Whoo!
Yeah!
Hey, good time, baby.
Thataway!
Hey, good drive.
Hey, we'll dominate their...
Let's go.
Neil?
Let's go.
>> Don't forget the kicker.
Matt Leinart, who is wired, is
fired up after that opening
drive for a touchdown.
Cardinals start this drive same
spot, their own 23.
Anquan Boldin.
So strong.
Gets close to the 29-yard line.
In that last completion, gets
him 6-of-6.
Now 7-of-7 and Boldin is brought
down with authority at the 30.
They need a long 2 for the first
down.
Pressure up the middle.
Leinart moves left.
Nothing open.
And throws.
It is ruled an interception, but
they may overrule that, come in
and say it was incomplete.
Let's see.
The ruling on the field is a
pick.
>> He's just got to throw this
away.
He took a sack last week against
Kansas City late in the game
that cost field position.
Now, all he has to do is throw
it away.
You can't make a play.
Just throw the ball away.
And this one bounced on the
ground.
>> That's Urlacher rushing him,
isn't it?
>> Yeah.
>> And Nathan Vasher with the
what's now being called an
interception there at the
31-yard line.
>> Urlacher was the one who
said, "We will show him pressure
like he has never seen before."
>> Denny Green has to challenge.
>> There's the red flag.
>> This is an incomplete pass.
And Matt Leinart not only
performed well on the drive, but
he got lucky.
>> We have a challenge by
Dennis Green that Lovie Smith's
Bears came up with an
interception.
Very tough to tell here on this
replay, as Nathan Vasher is in
there with his hands.
Did it bounce, or is it the
illusion of a bounce 'cause his
hand is on the ground?
>> I think you'll see his hand
is on the left part of it.
I don't see the ball on top of
his hand on that shot.
I see it landing inside of it,
which is where the ground is.
As I look at it, I would see it
as an incomplete pass.
Now, remember, it has to be
conclusive.
>> Indisputable.
>> Indisputable, and in my mind
it is.
But I'm not the guy under there.
>> And that's Jerome Boger, who
is a rookie NFL referee.
Was an official the last couple
of years in the league as a line
judge and before that was a very
good referee in Conference USA,
where the supervisor of their
officials was Gerry Austin, an
NFL official.
So, they've had a very good eye
on Jerome for years, and he is
one of the bright, young
referees in the NFL.
>> I thought this was a
60-second max deal.
It feels like it's been three
minutes.
>> It's 60 seconds to look, then
the screen goes off.
But then they have to figure
out --
>> The screen goes off.
Can you put another quarter in
to get another 15 seconds?
>> [ Laughs ]
>> Oh.
>> What you do now is you figure
out where the ball's spotted if
it is gonna be overruled.
>> And sometimes when you see
writing on the card, it means
it's coming back to the
placement of where the ball is.
So, we'll wait for Jerome to
give us the official
announcement on if the Bears
have a turnover at the
Cardinals' 31 or it's fourth
down and a punt.
>> After reviewing the play,
it is an incomplete pass.
The ball skipped into the
receiver.
>> Good job, Joe.
>> So, the Cardinals lose one of
their two challenge
opportunities, do not lose a
time-out, and Denny Green, for
the first time this year, wins a
replay challenge.
He was 0-4 coming into tonight.
>> But it doesn't change the
fact that Matt Leinart has to do
a better job when he rolls out
of the pocket, making decisions
with the football.
Make your decision quick, be
decisive, get it out of your
hands, throw it away, let the
punt team go out and do their
job.
>> I was all ready to write that
movie for him.
Leading the team down the field,
down the field, down the field.
So, I'll just shut up.
>> You have the eraser out now?
>> Former Miami Hurricane
Devin Hester back to return the
punt.
You saw what he did in his first
game.
This guy should punt for
Bill Parcells, 'cause this is
the player -- Scott Player.
>> [ Laughs ]
>> In his ninth year out of
Florida State.
Went to the Pro Bowl in 2000.
>> How about that face mask?
Now, you can't wear single bars
anymore if you're coming into
the league, but if you wore one,
you're grandfathered in.
And as old as Scott is, he
qualifies to be a grandfather.
>> But it's sagging, that bar.
It's not even upright.
>> [ Laughs ]
A very high kick that Hester
will fair-catch.
Had his own man back into him
and does a very smart job of
getting out of the way of the
bounce.
This beautiful, new
University of Phoenix Stadium,
first season in it for Arizona.
The Cardinals are 1-4 on the
year.
If you ask anybody in the
Cardinals organization, almost
before they say, "Hi.
How are you?" they say, "You
know, we should be 3-2."
They felt like they had a couple
of games they let slip away.
The Bears are undefeated but
have two three-and-outs to start
this night.
[ Whistle blows ]
And this one will back up a bit
with a penalty marker down.
>> I like when they say we
should be 3-2, because it gives
me the opportunity to say I
should have hair, but I don't.
And they're 1-4.
>> False start, 69, offense.
5-yard penalty -- replay, still
first down.
>> Penalty on Fred Miller.
Here's Michele Tafoya.
>> Mike, this week I spoke with
Steve Spurrier, who coached
Rex Grossman and so many other
great college quarterbacks at
Florida.
And he told me, "I've always
said Rex was the best passer I
ever coached.
His passes are natural.
The ball comes out of his hand
beautifully and fluidly and with
very little effort."
You saw there, he owns so many
school records.
I'll finish after the play.
>> Which is Rex down the middle.
Hauled in nicely by his
tight end Desmond Clark to the
40-yard line -- pickup of 26.
Let's watch the Clark play one
more time.
>> What you can do with this
offense, which the Bears never
have been able to do, is
spread the field with receivers,
which allows Desmond Clark to
get 17th catch.
He's averaging over 15 yards a
reception.
If you want to double-cover the
outside, fine.
Rex Grossman has the time, and
that's just a wonderful catch,
helping your quarterback out.
[ Crowd cheers ]
>> And right back to the air
from the 40.
Grossman's throw is incomplete.
Intended for Muhsin Muhammad,
and again here's Michele.
>> Well, Steve Spurrier went on
to say that Rex has a knack for
throwing appropriate passes.
He said, "It doesn't matter if
it takes a drop shot or a more
streamlined pass.
He can throw it long, short, and
in between.
He just has a knack.
And I don't think you can coach
that."
We saw that on that previous
long pass.
We'll see what he does the rest
of the drive, Mike.
>> And, Michele, he was telling
us last night that he thinks the
other Florida quarterbacks, like
Danny Wuerffel, for example,
would have had more success in
the NFL in a better situation.
But he is the best pure passer
of that group.
Just a little dump to his
fullback, Jason McKie.
Was bumped out of bounds by
Gerald Hayes, third-round draft
pick four years ago out of Pitt.
>> He's the best passer of that
group.
He's the only one, really, out
of Florida who's had success,
and he hasn't had all that much.
It's only this year, but he
talked about the expectations
for a quarterback being so much
higher at Florida in college
than at Chicago, where they
don't expect to have good
quarterbacks.
He said, "Sid Luckman is the guy
they know."
And he knows it's been a long
time because his picture's in
black and white.
That's like politicians going
back to Woodrow Wilson, saying
how great he was.
This kid can own Chicago if he
can keep throwing touchdown
passes.
>> Third and 9.
They've run it one time.
This is the ninth pass attempt
in the first quarter.
For Muhammad, it hung up in the
air.
Intercepted by Aaron Francisco.
And the second-year man out of
BYU is still going.
Francisco stays on his feet.
To the 26-yard line.
>> You have to believe that all
this talk about the
Chicago Bear defense, the
dominance of the Chicago Bears,
all that talk has gotten the
Arizona Cardinal defense just a
little wound up.
Good pressure from
Bertrand Berry.
He doesn't allow Rex to get
comfortable.
And then Francisco goes up and
just takes it out of the air.
>> Do you think it's also
possible -- you played -- that
the Bears took this team very
lightly?
"We'll smother this team.
We're 5-0. They're 1-4.
We'll beat them down."
>> I think so.
I think there was an air of
cockiness and arrogance to them.
That's good, but not when they
come out and get their tail
handed to them.
>> Edgerrin James carries for
2 yards.
Just to clean up the
interception -- Aaron Francisco,
43-yard return, second-year
player out of BYU.
First interception for him, the
fourth time that Lovie Smith's
quarterback has been picked off
here in 2006.
And when we talked to Lovie
yesterday, he said, "We've
played dominant football at
home.
We have to go on the road and
get tested."
A lot of people are saying the
'85 Bears, comparison.
These guys know.
The leaves are still on the
trees.
It's early to start talking
about the countdown to Miami and
the Super Bowl like they are in
the Chicago Sun-Times.
Second and 8, James.
Good pressure.
Lance Briggs and Mike Brown
force the loss and third down.
And on the other side, when we
saw Dennis Green, he talked
about this Bears team, as he
described, a flavor of the
month.
Not a negative term.
>> No, he said they were 5-0,
but he also said, "I've had a
bunch of teams that have been
5-0, as well, and there's a long
way to go."
And he pointed out that the
Bears' great success so far this
season has come at home.
And before he was gonna say that
they were great, he wanted to
see what they could do on the
road.
Well, they're on the road.
>> And so far, his Cardinals are
playing better than they are.
>> And that's a surprise to me,
and I'm sure to you, as well.
>> Cardinals have not picked up
a third and 11 or more all
season.
They have now.
Anquan Boldin.
Touchdown, Arizona!
[ Crowd cheers ]
>> That's Matt Leinart leading
them down the field again.
That's gonna be 14 points in the
first quarter against the Bears.
Robert Griffin talked about
Leinart.
Said, "He's a winner.
He came into our huddle, and it
looked like, "You want to win
with me?
Come on. Let's go."
You could not have a better
debut on Monday night than
Leinart's having so far.
Extra point added by Rackers.
Matt Leinart with the touchdown
to make it 14-0, Arizona,
shocking the undefeated Bears
here in the first quarter.
>> The whole city of Chicago,
Mike, is quiet right now.
I mean, not a car moving, not a
horn blowing.
Everybody is sitting there,
watching television, stunned.
>> Third kickoff of the quarter
for Rackers.
And the Rashied Davis return is
just to the 20-yard line.
Marcel Shipp picked him up.
>> Maybe he'll talk to us about
it.
>> No, he didn't.
>> Grossman toss.
Thomas Jones gains only 2 yards,
to the 22-yard line.
>> We don't have to beg you to
talk.
Come on.
There has to be an
acknowledgement of some sort.
>> There is an acknowledgement.
Yes, something happened and what
a great game.
>> Do you want to give us the
name?
>> No, it's okay.
>> Really?
>> No, it's all right.
It's okay.
It was a part of the past.
>> Well, you talk about
celebrities.
>> You're a good sport on that.
But how about this one?
>> Demi Moore and
Ashton Kutcher.
>> Ashton Kutcher and Demi.
>> Demi might be texting you
here in the first quarter.
Second and 7 for Grossman.
To Thomas Jones.
Good job getting the block, and
Jones out of bounds 3 yards shy
of the first down.
Karlos Dansby, Orlando Huff
defending.
>> This may sound very
simplistic, but it is critical
for the Chicago Bears to get a
first down here.
They have to start this snowball
that Matt Leinart has rolling
down the hill at them to pick up
a first down, to give themselves
a chance to get into their game.
They want to keep on throwing
the ball down the field.
They're not gonna back off.
The Bears aren't.
>> End of one.
Arizona 14, Chicago 0.
Matt Leinart wired and fired up
in the first.
>> Hut!
Yeah!
Whoo!
>> We start the second quarter
here from Glendale, Arizona,
15 miles northwest of downtown
Phoenix.
Second straight week that
Matt Leinart has gotten off to a
hot start.
Thrown two touchdowns, and the
Cardinals have had a 14-0 lead.
Kansas City came back to beat
them, 23-20, last week.
Big hit on Bernard Berrian.
That's an incomplete pass.
Eric Green with the big shot.
>> Eric Green -- as soon as
Rex Grossman rose up to throw
this, Eric Green just breaks.
He's got his eye on
Bernard Berrian.
Bernard Berrian doesn't take a
step forward.
He starts right on the slant,
and he comes and Green comes for
the collision and separates
him.
>> Isn't it supposed to be the
Bears defense doing that to
someone else?
>> Supposed to be.
But in your book,
"The Matt Leinart Story" -- does
it work that way?
>> I got a contract at halftime.
I'll tell you about it.
>> Brad Maynard's punt.
Troy Walters retreating to the
20.
Picked up a block.
Picked up another one.
And a decent return out to the
33-yard line for Walters.
Obviously, with the heat out
here in the desert, it's a very
comfortable night out --
temperature in the '80s, as
things got started.
First down, Anquan Boldin with
the catch to the 36-yard line.
Matt Leinart, do you remember
draft day?
The longest hour and a half of
his life.
As decorated a college
quarterback as there was, but
he had to wait an hour and 24
until the tenth pick came up,
and he was selected.
That time, Reggie Wells, the
offensive lineman, ran into
Jones.
A big play by the Bears defense
will force third down.
>> When they finally called his
name, it must have felt like a
reprieve from the governor.
He was stunned at how many
people picked apart what he had
done.
They said his arm -- and, Joe,
we'll get to this later.
I know you didn't think his arm
was all that strong.
And he said, "I thought people
were happy.
I would go out there, and I
would win.
But everybody is getting on me."
Said, "I'm thinking, 'What did I
do wrong?'"
But he also said landing here
was the best place for him
ultimately.
>> Loss of 6. Third and 12.
Leinart pressured.
Deflected and incomplete.
Lance Briggs coming right at
him.
Allows the strong play for
Danieal Manning, the rookie
safety, to jump in.
It's fourth down.
>> The Chicago Bears finally got
the Arizona Cardinals in a
position where they wanted them,
third and long.
That shows you the importance of
not getting negative yards.
The second-down run cost them
5 yards.
They need to keep it third down
and 6, third down and 7 so that
if the blitz does come, Matt at
least has a chance to get the
ball out of his hands to a
receiver that gets enough for
the first down.
>> Scott Player kicks to
Devin Hester.
50-yard kick on the nose.
Hester on the return.
Hit hard and is taken to the
33-yard line.
Surprising start in Arizona.
Cardinals leading the Bears,
14-0.
>> That's a good look for that
guy, don't you think?
That red wig?
>> No.
First and 10, Grossman on
play-action.
Trying to throw -- intercepted!
What is going on tonight?!
Gerald Hayes, the linebacker.
Picking up blocks.
And Hayes takes it to the
29-yard line.
[ Crowd cheers ]
>> The offensive and defensive
coordinators of the
Arizona Cardinals look like
they're standing in the huddle
of the Bears.
Wherever the receivers of the
Bears go, you've got a defender
standing there waiting.
Gerald Hayes drops back.
Now, Rex Grossman tries to lead
them.
There's no way that that
receiver is gonna be anywhere
near open.
He's trying to get it to
Bernard Berrian, and if he
doesn't get it, the corner
covering him is probably gonna
wind up with it.
That's just a bad decision.
>> Bears made a bad decision
coming here, apparently, playing
this game.
[ Whistle blows ]
>> Second possession starting
deep in Chicago territory.
We have a marker down.
It will push them back 5.
>> False start, offense,
number 63.
5-yard penalty -- first down.
>> After the penalty on
Chris Liwienski, we are joined
up here in the booth by a guy
who lives out here.
He's just everywhere that you
are, it seems.
We see him on TNT covering the
NBA.
Hello, Charles Barkley.
>> Hey, thank you guys for
having me.
>> Good to have you here,
Charles.
>> And I told you all Arizona is
gonna shock the world tonight.
>> Your team, right?
>> After it was 14-0, I believe
you said those exact words.
>> I said it before the game,
Tony.
You know that.
>> [ Laughs ]
>> From the 34, here is Leinart
to Edgerrin James.
He gains just a couple of yards
to the 32-yard line.
This is a big deal -- this
stadium, this franchise --
'cause you're out here a bunch.
Obviously, you starred with the
Suns.
This franchise was just in the
tank.
Nobody believed in them becoming
a winner.
>> Well, it all started with
Coach Green.
When he came here and gave a
face to the organization,
obviously the wide receivers,
Fitzgerald and Boldin, have made
their stars.
Then, "Edge" came here, and we
got very fortunate getting
Matt Leinart.
They're on the right track.
These fans deserve a winner.
>> They have not seen a lot of
winning since the Cardinals
moved in here from St. Louis in
the late '80s.
Bears change their defensive
look.
Leinart adjusts the play.
[ Whistle blows ]
And this one's flagged down
before the start.
>> Big football fan?
>> Oh, yeah.
I love sports.
I just want to see the Cardinals
do better.
I love football.
Sunday's the greatest day of the
week.
>> We would hope you'd say
Monday was the greatest day of
the week, Chuck.
>> "Monday Night Football" on
ESPN is the greatest television
spectacle there is right now.
>> I bet you have vast football
experience.
You're a big guy.
I'm sure you must have played
some football in high school, if
not at Auburn.
>> No, I was too smart, but I
played football one day, and I
realized they were really
hitting out there.
>> Now, that was in high
school?
>> No, I wasn't that dumb.
It was, like, in a recreational
league, civic center.
>> Two procedure flags bring it
back to second and 18.
James runs it to the 34-yard
line.
>> You know, my two favorite
sports are boxing and football,
but you have to have a certain
toughness or, like, a mean
streak to play either one of
those sports.
I truly believe that.
>> I go to a lot of NBA games,
and I watch you guys play, and I
watch you guys.
That's really physical down
under the basket.
Is it anywhere near as physical
as this?
>> No, there's nothing like
football as far as physical
play.
And I truly mean that.
We're a lot smarter now.
>> [ Laughs ]
>> You think you are.
>> Cardinals taking a time-out
here before the third and 15
from the 34.
It's third down as we come back,
third and 15.
If you're just joining us,
Matt Leinart, two first-quarter
touchdown passes, one to
Bryant Johnson, one to
Anquan Boldin.
And without one of their top
receivers, Larry Fitzgerald,
shocking the thus-far-undefeated
Bears, 14-0.
>> Mike, this is gonna be the
third touchdown right here.
>> Charles Barkley says so.
Leinart tries to deliver.
To Boldin.
Incomplete.
Well-covered by Nathan Vasher.
It'll be fourth down.
>> I was wrong.
>> You are a fan, aren't you?
>> I love football. I do.
>> Nathan Vasher just has Boldin
one-on-one.
Not necessarily the fastest guy,
but very tough.
He's built like Sterling Sharpe.
Great legs, has the hands of a
Cris Carter.
Rare combination.
Tremendous hands, hands catcher,
with a great lower body.
>> Neil Rackers, who has a big
leg but missed a 50-plus-yarder
to tie the game at the end of
the game last week, tries from
52.
And Rackers is now 0-for-4 from
over 50 yards.
He was 14-of-21 coming into this
year.
And the Bears will take over at
their own 42.
Thomas Jones the carry.
Another great play by
Gerald Hayes.
A small gain there.
>> As long as we mentioned
Terrell Owens, what do you think
of him as a teammate?
What do you think of what he
does?
How would it work with you?
>> I don't think it'd work for
me 'cause I would have hit him
in the head a long time ago.
He's a great player, obviously.
I like T.O.
But if I was a teammate, I would
have hit him in the head with
something.
>> Can you win with a guy that
does those type of things?
>> Well, you got to win, or it's
gonna tear up your team.
The only way it can work -- if
you win, you can get away with a
lot more stuff, Joe.
You know that.
But if he loses, the team is
obviously gonna blow up.
>> Could that happen?
'Cause it's a much bigger room
in football.
Could that happen in a small
room, like basketball, with only
12 players?
Have you ever played with
somebody who you did want to hit
in the head?
>> And I hit him in the head.
>> [ Laughs ]
>> Who?
>> No, that's going to happen,
but T.O. has got such an
overbearing personality that
he's tough to play with.
>> This is third and 5.
Bears have one first down
tonight.
Jones out of the backfield.
Can he get it?
Good, open-field tackle by
Antrel Rolle.
Gonna force fourth down.
>> We've talked a lot about the
Chicago Bear defense and what
they were supposed to do and
what they've done so far.
Ranked number one.
But you look at the job that the
Arizona Cardinal defense has
done.
Here comes the pressure from
Dockett inside.
Thomas Jones.
One-on-one, Antrel Rolle.
One-on-one in the open field
bringing down Thomas Jones.
>> So, forced to punt yet again
is Brad Maynard.
Aiming it toward the sidelines.
>> Oh, what a kick!
>> It looks like he kept it in
bounds.
No, he did not -- touchback.
Cardinals will take over at the
20.
Little walkaround some of the
concourses.
I got a chance to get here
early, check out this
University of Phoenix Stadium.
It is a beautiful, $455 million
facility that opened just a
couple months ago.
>> It should be, for
$450 million!
>> [ Laughing ] I know it
should.
There are the numbers on the
quarterbacks so far.
And completely opposite of what
Rex Grossman has done thus far
throughout the season in those
dominant Bears' wins.
Now, we have a challenge flag
thrown by Lovie Smith on that
side, obviously challenging if
that punt should have been a
touchback or not.
>> Now, he has to find out if it
is a challengeable play.
That's the key right now.
And that's what the official is
doing to him.
That's what Jerome Boger is
doing.
He's letting him know whether or
not.
Now, what angle did he think
went out?
It looked like it went out on
the playing-field side of the
pylon from the angle that we
had.
This is where you can catch the
flight of the ball.
>> But you see the gentleman on
the far-right-hand corner who
was catching it about 8 yards
in.
He was about 6 or 7 yards away
from the pylon.
I think that's a very tough one
via replay.
We saw a couple of spots
challenged during the Jets/Miami
game yesterday -- very
unsuccessful.
>> This would be very tough to
challenge, considering on that
shot, we have no idea where the
ball was.
It could have been out of the
stadium.
>> Now, there's where the ball
lands.
See where the ball lands?
>> Yep.
>> It's still very difficult to
tell.
You just...
And I'm pretty sure that Lovie
found out that it doesn't work.
>> You can't challenge it.
>> The ruling on the field is
not challengeable.
Therefore, the Chicago Bears
will not be allowed to challenge
the play.
>> As opposed to the spot of the
ball on a regular third-down
play, a running play, trying to
get a first down.
That you can go back and replay
and look at the spot.
Punt going out of bounds not so.
They take over at the 20.
>> Arizona cannot lose the
momentum they have gained.
They need to keep the first
downs.
They need to protect
Matt Leinart.
Don't give the Bears any
momentum back.
>> First down from the 20.
Here is Edgerrin James for just
a yard.
All the Cardinals could settle
for was a 52-yard field goal
that they missed.
And that's how we've arrived
here.
And it'll be third down, as the
pass for Johnson was incomplete.
And Nathan Vasher had the
coverage for Chicago.
>> It's gonna be very
interesting if Arizona becomes
conservative with that lead.
>> You can't run out the clock
in the second quarter.
>> I know.
>> You can't do that.
>> But when you got momentum
like this, don't you have to be
more aggressive?
>> Yes.
>> When they intercepted it the
last time, they got two
procedure penalties, which set
them back.
That was the perfect time to
put some more points on the
board.
They wind up with an
exceptionally long field-goal
attempt that goes wide left.
>> The voice of Charles Barkley
joining us up here in the booth.
It's third and 9.
Leinart gets rid of it quickly
to Troy Walters, who tries to
fight for the first down.
The whistle is blown.
He went out of bounds.
Nathan Vasher took him there
shy of the first down, so they
will punt here on fourth down.
>> Excellent job by both corners
in the open field.
We saw Antrel Rolle make one on
the last possession.
Now Nathan Vasher makes one.
>> Ever in a situation like
this, where you were with a team
that was either heavily favored
or heavily the underdog and
completely reversed what you
thought would happen in that
game?
>> As a fan, if I hadn't been
with the Arizona Cardinals
yesterday, I would have gotten
really upset the way everybody
said they had no chance.
All they talked about was how
bad their defense was gonna
batter Matt Leinart.
That's why the Cardinals are
playing like this.
>> It's a dangerous punt.
It was line drive.
Penalty marker down as
Devin Hester is brought to the
40-yard line.
It's one of those he can really
return quickly.
53-yard kick, returned 22.
Let's check the flag thrown back
at the 30, looking like it will
back the Bears up and negate the
return by the rookie Hester.
>> One thing all players have in
common -- they have pride.
And the way they were talking
about Bears against the
Cardinals yesterday and today,
that would have fired me up as a
Cardinal.
>> Looks like it has.
>> It definitely has.
>> There is no foul for illegal
block in the back on the play.
That block is legal.
First down.
>> I'm just big-boned.
I'm not fat anymore.
I'm just big-boned.
>> From the 40, Grossman.
Look out from behind.
Almost lost the ball.
Did lose the ball!
And his helmet.
Coming around the corner,
Bertrand Berry knocked it free.
Now who's got it at the bottom
of the pile?
>> Rex Grossman is used to
standing in the pocket very
comfortably.
>> Cardinal ball!
[ Crowd cheers ]
>> Bertrand Berry.
Not only does he take the ball,
he takes the helmet and
everything else.
>> It's still early, obviously,
but we may be looking at the
biggest upset clearly this year
in the NFL.
This could be enormous.
They come in 5-0, dominating,
killing people.
25 points a game, number one
statistically on defense, number
one statistically on offense.
And now down, amazingly.
>> Arizona has to get something
out of this.
>> So, Berry gets the strip, the
helmet, the recovery.
Went around John Tait, who he
went up against when Berry was
with Denver.
Tait was with Kansas City.
A run there to the 30-yard line
by Edgerrin James, a 3-yard
gain.
Hey, the guy who made that play,
Berry, he's one of those stories
that you love.
A guy out of Notre Dame.
He was a hybrid between a
linebacker and a defensive end.
He was out of football in 2000.
Went up to the Canadian league,
played for a few weeks, and
said, "I can't do this."
He was about ready to start
thinking, "What do I do with the
rest of my life.
I'm not gonna play football."
Goes and works out for Denver,
Mike Shanahan.
Makes that team.
Makes the Pro Bowl in 2004 here
with the Cardinals and now is
one of their key guys, as he's
arrived in Arizona as a
defensive end.
Second and 7, James.
No gain.
Chicago's defense has been very
tough the last couple of drives,
and they need to be, because
right now Chicago's offense is
shuttered down.
Seven tries, four
three-and-outs, and the other
three turnovers.
Grossman throwing 2 picks and
there the fumble caused by
Bertrand Berry.
>> Charles, you talked about
pride and playing for pride.
Bertrand Berry told us the other
day, "We have an opportunity to
show we're not as bad as our
record shows."
That's not the most confident
thing in the world, but it would
speak to the notion that "we
don't want to get embarrassed on
a national game."
>> Well, everybody watches
"Monday Night Football."
All the players -- it's a great
stage.
>> Third and 7.
Leinart, good catch on the snap.
Dumps it complete for the first
down to the 18-yard line.
>> A lot of people felt like
Matt Leinart was just a pocket
passer.
Well, he was a pocket passer at
USC because he didn't have to
move.
A couple months before the
draft, he decided to start
working out, and he even
surprised himself.
As a matter of fact, he said,
"I've got everybody fooled.
They think I can really move."
>> Well, he proved he can.
He's using his legs to make
plays tonight.
>> And a nice job of
play-calling there, going to
J.J. Arrington in the passing
game for the first time tonight.
A gain of 13, and the Cardinals
have their first first down of
the second quarter.
Edgerrin James.
On a little burst there, as he's
gonna be marked down at the
14-yard line.
So, he's been on that big stage
and is very comfortable as the
leader in the spotlight and
thriving here tonight.
James.
>> If I had Reggie Bush,
LenDale White, Dwayne Jarrett,
I'd be comfortable, too.
[ Laughter ]
>> Now let me ask you this.
When you play in big games --
people have started to jump
college to pro.
When you play in big games,
don't you get used to the
big-game intensity and pressure?
>> The pressure's always there
'cause you don't want to screw
up.
But the better players you have,
the more you're prepared for a
big game.
It's only a big game when you
got enough talent to win.
>> And USC had that every game
that they took the field, all 39
under Leinart.
Third and 5.
James the toss.
Boldin blocking, but he held.
It's gonna come back.
James fighting to get the first
down, but receiver was grabbing
on.
>> That's probably more
important.
When you're at a program like
USC, Oklahoma, Texas, every game
is a big game for you.
Auburn.
>> Holding, offense, number 81,
10-yard penalty.
Replay third down.
>> Said by a former
Auburn Tiger.
>> Absolutely.
Well, people went up to
Matt Leinart during this week
and only half-jokingly asked,
"Are you afraid you'll get
killed by the Chicago Bears?"
And he said, "You know, they
said this when I went in against
Kansas City, and I did pretty
well in that."
He's clearly unafraid of the
circumstance, having played in
big games on a big stage.
He welcomed the opportunity to
go out there, and he said, "I
can show people I can play.
I'm not nervous.
I'm not scared."
>> But he got some really good
players around him.
That's the one thing the
Cardinals did.
Edge, Boldin, Fitzgerald,
Bryant Johnson.
They've got some good players.
>> Bears take the penalty, push
them back to the 23.
It's third down.
Leinart picks up a bad snap
again.
Throws incomplete again.
Intended for Carlyle Holiday.
The former Notre Dame
quarterback is now an active
receiver, called up from the
practice squad because of the
Larry Fitzgerald injury.
>> The Arizona Cardinals have
had two opportunities to put
some points on the board.
Mike, you mentioned it before.
They scored 14 against
Kansas City in the first quarter
last week, and they wound up
losing the game late.
The one thing they've talked
about is, "We don't have a
killer instinct."
They keep giving away
opportunities, they're gonna
start feeling that way again.
>> Joe, is this a win for the
Bears, holding them to a field
goal?
>> It is defensively, but their
offense is what they've counted
on.
They have to pick it up on that
side of the ball.
>> Rackers, who had missed his
last two field goals, both over
50, bangs it home from 41, and
Arizona extends its lead to
17-0.
We talk about Arizona's
struggles, not just here.
Go back to the history of this
franchise, equaling the oldest
been around playing professional
football in what was the start
of the NFL, even the league
right before it.
They won two championships going
back to their start in the
1920s.
One playoff appearance, one
winning season in 1998,
Jake Plummer their quarterback.
And seven straight losing
seasons.
Charles, we saw that this year
with the L.A. Clippers in
basketball.
How tough is it to turn around a
losing culture into a winning
culture and attract the players
that can make you winners?
>> Well, I think you got to give
the Bidwills credit because they
have went out.
They first hired Dennis Green.
They drafted Fitzgerald.
Then they got Anquan Boldin.
Then they went out this year and
got Edge.
They are really trying to win,
but now they've just got to
become more consistent.
It's a big deal.
I wonder what's gonna happen to
Dennis Green if they don't have
a great season, 'cause he is the
face of this franchise, and
that's the first time they've
had that.
>> To be fair, they have been an
abysmal, horrific franchise for
many, many years.
I mean, just awful.
The Clippers is a good
comparison 'cause they did pull
themselves out of it, and
Arizona, having a great night
right now, has not done that at
all.
>> Rashied Davis from the 10.
Running hard, just shy of the
30-yard line.
>> That's about what the
Arizona Cardinals have said to
the Chicago Bears -- "Show me
what you got."
>> And a penalty marker on the
return will bring them back to
the 20, with the push in the
back right at the spot where the
return stopped.
So, 80 yards for Grossman, who
has struggled tonight.
Thomas Jones, the former
Cardinal.
Gain of 4.
Brought down by Gerald Hayes.
>> In light of the fact that
it was such a bad franchise for
such a long time, and, in fact,
now is 1-4 under Dennis Green
for the third straight time,
that makes this thing tonight
even more stunning.
Chuck, nobody in America had
Arizona up 17-0 in the second
quarter against Chicago.
Nobody.
I know you love them -- not even
you.
>> You're correct.
But this game don't mean as
much.
They obviously are gonna be
pumped up to be on
"Monday Night Football."
But they play the Raiders next
week.
Then you'll see if they turned
the corner and becoming a good
team.
>> Grossman's pass into traffic.
Intended for Desmond Clark.
And as a team, 20 plays,
50 yards, 1 first down.
Time.
And a window to throw to the
tight end.
Complete.
Des Clark, first down, 39-yard
line.
>> There are moments in a
game -- Charles you know.
And no matter what it is in
competition, there are moments
where you can capture back the
momentum.
Here it is coming down towards
the end of the half.
If the Bears can put some kind
of points on the board, Lovie
can go in at halftime and say,
"Hey, guys, I told you.
This is gonna be a football
game.
We can't just roll our helmet
out."
>> As a novice, I think them
holding Arizona to a field goal
was the turning point in the
game.
I truly believe that.
If they can get a touchdown
here, they will have momentum.
>> Thomas Jones hit hard by
Orlando Huff.
A penalty marker comes down.
It's a gain of 7 till we check
the flag.
>> I love you, but talk about
the turning point in a game?
It's 17-0!
There's no turning point.
So far, Arizona's up 17-0.
>> But I truly believe in all
sporting events, there's five or
six plays.
If Arizona was up 21-0, that
would be totally different.
>> 10-yard penalty from the end
of the run.
First down.
>> Penalty on the veteran
receiver Muhsin Muhammad.
>> So far, to me the big
momentum shift was when Grossman
missed 6 points on the first
play of the game.
That's what Chicago's used to --
getting up early, getting the
lead, taking their defense and
savaging the quarterbacks.
They missed that one.
Something changed in here.
>> Yeah, but you got to realize
something.
If they score a touchdown here,
the pressure will switch back to
Arizona.
[ Crowd cheers ]
>> This is bizarre -- home-crowd
support for the Cardinals.
Grossman pressured.
He lost it again!
Arizona's got it again!
Chris Cooper came off the edge
and helped knock it free.
Adrian Wilson in there, as well.
>> This is an offensive line
that is being embarrassed.
All for the first month of the
season, people talked about
"Arizona's offensive line not
that good.
The Bears are great."
This is a complete flip-flop.
This goes back to what you
talked about, Charles.
Now the Arizona Cardinals have
to put a touchdown on the board.
You can't leave it at 17.
You can't leave it at 20.
>> I got your momentum right
here.
They just got the ball back
again.
>> But they better score a
touchdown is what Joe is saying.
>> They've been here twice
before and come away with
3 points.
They need to do something with
the football now.
>> What a play by Wilson, who
got there a hair before Cooper
to knock it free.
Berry the recovery.
Leinart, play-pass.
Anquan Boldin.
To the 13-yard line.
First down as we hit the 2:00
warning.
New stadium, new quarterback.
>> Hey, let's go, babe!
♪ Are you ready
for some football? ♪
Dominating them, man.
I see you dominated out there.
All day, man.
Make a statement tonight, man.
Let's go.
>> Has he and have they, at
least through the first half.
Helped by a defense that's
forced four turnovers.
First time the Cardinals have
done that since 1998 -- each
turnover giving them the ball in
Bears' territory.
Thus far, 10 points off it.
Trying to add to that here at
the 2:00 warning.
From the 13, Edgerrin James able
to get only a yard.
>> I don't think they've been
maligned.
I think they've been awful.
I think they're good tonight,
but they've been awful.
>> That really means the same
thing, Tony.
>> Edgerrin James again.
Stopped again.
Bears looking to the sideline
to see if they should stop it
with a time-out to keep some
time.
They will not.
Fans booing here.
>> I asked you earlier, Joe,
about being conservative.
What do you think?
>> The other two times that they
had the recoveries, they ran two
of the three times they had the
possessions, wound up having to
try field goals.
You started the game by
spreading them out.
I think you have to do that.
You're the Arizona Cardinals,
and you've got momentum.
You got momentum with a young
quarterback.
You don't have to do this on
third down.
Do it on first down.
Now you give the Bears a chance
to come after Matt.
>> And they only rush four.
It's the checkdown.
>> Oh, man.
>> Complete to Ayanbadejo.
>> They're playing for a field
goal.
>> And they'll have that
opportunity here, Charles.
>> You're kidding me.
>> This upsets you, doesn't it?
>> It does upset me.
When you got momentum, you're
playing at home, you got to go
for the jugular.
>> It's killer instinct.
Bertrand Berry basically said
that.
"The thing that we don't have
yet is killer instinct."
>> These fans aren't stupid.
They know the Cardinals are
scared to death right now.
>> The fans are a little
nervous.
>> They may be scared to death,
but they're up 17-0.
It appears they're gonna be up
20-0.
Nobody in America would have
predicted that, even the people
in the Cardinal helmets.
Nobody.
>> You've got interceptions by
the Bears.
You've got 2 turnovers by
fumble.
You have four turnovers.
Four turnovers, and you're
winding up with three
opportunities of field position
and possibly coming away with
just 6 points.
>> Yeah, and they might end up
with 13 off those turnovers if
they get this field goal.
Time-out before the last play.
>> I'm gonna make a prediction.
>> Go ahead.
>> 20 ain't gonna be enough to
win this game.
>> If it isn't, we'll bring you
back here late in the game.
Everybody always said you were
up for the "Monday Night" booth,
anyway.
You can come and sit with us
forever.
You can have my job.
>> Hey, I'm just glad to be
around Joe.
I used to watch Joe when I was a
little kid.
I've been a big fan for a long
time.
>> Hey, we will see you on TNT
during basketball season, see
you on the road.
>> Thank you all for having me.
Enjoy Arizona.
>> You bet.
>> We will.
Charles Barkley of TNT, of
course, with their NBA coverage
and one of the 50 best in NBA
history and a great presence out
here in the desert, as well.
>> The half will end on this
field-goal attempt by Rackers
after the Bears ice him a bit
and take a time-out.
>> They don't need to ice him on
these ones.
They need to ice him on 50s if
they want to do something 'cause
he's having a little trouble
over 50.
>> Neil Rackers made
40 field goals last year, which
was the NFL record.
Missed from 52, good from 41.
This from 28.
And the Arizona Cardinals go to
the locker room leading 20-0.
Shocking first half.
And the Cardinals get the ball
to start the third quarter.
20-0, Arizona.
The Cardinals leading
Brian Urlacher and the Bears,
20-0.
The Bears coming into this week
along with Indianapolis as the
only two undefeated teams in the
National Football League.
Colts coming off a bye.
They play Washington this coming
Sunday.
The Bears thinking they were
gonna come in here and get to
6-0, but it has been a complete
reversal of fortune through this
first half.
>> It's obviously early.
The Bears are a great-scoring
team.
But if Arizona were to win this
game, two things would happen.
One, Matt Leinart has a career
maker, and it may help save
Denny Green's job who doesn't
need a third straight losing
season with the talent on this
team.
>> Robbie Gould kicks to
J.J. Arrington from the 5.
Arrington pushed toward the
sideline.
Brought down at the 26-yard
line.
Matt Leinart wearing a
microphone.
Here are some of his sounds from
a great first half.
>> Men, let's go!
Yeah, baby!
Whoo!
All right, same thing, men.
Let's go.
They can't stop us.
Yeah!
I never seen this before!
>> Me neither!
>> Matt Leinart with the man who
he replaced, Kurt Warner.
And look at this stat.
Talk about a great number.
Matt Leinart's the first player
in the history of the
National Football League to
throw two first-quarter
touchdown passes in each of his
first two career starts.
And it is two or more
first-quarter touchdown passes
in his first two career starts.
>> And he can scream like
Howard Dean.
>> Phenomenal number.
Holding penalty brings the
Cardinals a little bit farther
back.
Another short Edgerrin James
run on first down, to the 18.
All right, that's everything
that happened.
Now, what's next?
>> Well, I think the
Arizona Cardinals cannot get
cautious.
They talked about "We don't have
a killer instinct."
This is their opportunity to put
a drive together and make
something happen.
From the Bears' perspective,
they have to stop them.
They got to slow this train
down.
Spread them out, spread the
Bears out, do exactly what you
did before.
Don't try to create balance just
to get Edge his carries.
Spread them out, throw the
football, put Matt in the
shotgun like they are in first
and second down.
>> Second and 9.
The Bears have short-circuited
any attempts to run with
Edgerrin James on a regular
basis here tonight.
12 of James' 20 carries have
been 2 yards or less.
Leinart's throw is complete, a
yard shy of the first down with
Troy Walters.
And here's Michele Tafoya.
>> Well, Mike, Lovie Smith
called the first half
"horrendous."
He said, "We got outcoached and
outplayed in every facet of the
game."
I asked him why Rex Grossman was
having so many problems.
He said, "I don't know for sure.
He's thrown some bad passes, but
the pressure is getting to this
offense.
We want to give Rex more time to
get a couple of hits downfield.
It's as simple as that."
Guys.
>> To that point, Michele, there
are two first-down completions
to Desmond Clark, the tight end.
21 other snaps netted a total of
25 yards.
Atypical of the '06 Bears.
Third and 4.
Leinart's pass knocked down.
Lance Briggs there, and the
defense does its job,
three-and-out, to start.
The punt by Scott Player.
Good hang time.
From the 29, Devin Hester.
Only a yard of return.
So, the Bears will have the ball
for the first time, trying to
erase a 20-point deficit.
Only once in history have they
won after trailing by 20 or
more.
In 1987, a playoff season, the
Ditka Bears beat Tampa Bay.
And the Bears have a huge
history.
Jones bouncing to the outside.
Thomas Jones, the former
Cardinal, first round.
And Jones, 2 yards shy of the
first down.
Michele?
>> Well, Mike, Denny Green told
me at halftime that his defense
was the highlight of the first
half.
They haven't allowed big plays,
they forced turnovers, and
they've given the Cardinals good
field position.
And even with a 20-point lead,
Green says when they get back
on offense, the game plan isn't
gonna change.
They're gonna use the run to set
up the pass.
That's the way Leinart likes to
play.
That's the way they're gonna
play, Mike.
>> All right, Michele.
Michele went to both sidelines
tonight.
Our colleague Suzy Kolber back
home.
She'll be back with us next week
in Dallas.
Third and 2.
Bears try to run for it.
And it will be very close, as
Jones leaned forward, and the
spot is gonna force a
measurement here.
>> He's gonna be short.
He's gonna be short by about
6 inches.
Just a nice second effort by the
Cardinals up front.
When you look at the second half
of this game, you have to figure
that the Bears are gonna have
maybe six possessions.
So, they're gonna have to create
one or two more possessions with
their defense and get some
points if they want to overcome
this deficit.
>> This isn't the way the Bears
have been playing all year --
not running three times in a
series like that to try and get
a first down.
They've been throwing it.
They got the first down --
>> Made it by six inches, like I
said.
>> You only had it the other
way.
But this isn't the way the Bears
have played.
They air it out.
>> Well, there is the Bears'
tale in the first half --
4 punts, 4 turnovers.
And this is an Arizona team that
usually is always on the wrong
side of the turnover column.
Just 2 first downs.
As a matter of fact, guys,
their deepest penetration
tonight has been the Arizona 49,
where they'd get a first down if
they got there right now.
And Grossman does to
Desmond Clark, the tight end.
Third catch for the eighth-year
man out of Wake Forest.
And a player shaken up for a
second there with the Bears.
It's the center, Olin Kreutz,
who Lovie Smith told us last
night "is the best leader I have
ever been around."
>> I was gonna say, this is what
you would expect the Bears to
do, to come out here and score
quickly.
They have to do that.
Joe, you've played on very, very
good teams.
Occasionally, you must be
stunned like this.
What is the halftime like when
you have a team leading the
whole league in offense and gets
nothing against a bad team?
>> From the 47, Grossman throws.
Rashied Davis, catch and run to
the 31-yard line.
First down, Chicago.
>> Tony, no one has to say
anything.
The Bears know exactly what took
place in that first half.
Rex Grossman gave the ball up
twice on interceptions, bad
throws.
The offensive line didn't give
him time.
Now he's getting some time to
throw the football.
And that's the decision that was
made.
Good move by Rashied inside.
Rashied Davis is the perfect
slot guy and a great story.
>> I have him tonight in
fantasy.
>> Arena football guy.
>> Drafted again in Arena
football by the
New Orleans Voodoo this week.
>> From the 31, Jones, no gain.
Good job by Darnell Dockett out
of Florida State.
Had his contract extended --
5-year new deal signed Friday.
>> Mike, you look at this
football game.
Muhsin Muhammad came in with
26 catches.
Bernard Berrian came in with
19 catches, averaging 22 yards.
They have had one catch between
them in this ballgame.
The Bears have got to get their
wide receivers involved in this
game and get them down the field
and get some big plays.
>> Well, they certainly have to,
considering you'd had them going
16-0.
>> They got to 6 first.
>> [ Laughs ]
>> Cardinals show a lot of red
at the line.
And bring it.
It got picked up, and Grossman's
pass incomplete for Muhammad.
Bears in field-goal range from
here, 49 yards.
[ Crowd cheers ]
Pressure again.
Rex has a pocket to throw.
And it is complete.
Davis with the feet down for the
first down.
First time in the red zone
tonight.
>> The difference is the
offensive line, and when you
look at them on the field, the
offensive linemen are showing
more emotion and more fire than
I've ever seen from a group.
They're pumping their fists.
They're fighting their hearts
out now.
They know they are in a battle,
and, again, Adrian Wilson right
in Rex Grossman's face.
Adrian Wilson is a Pro Bowl
safety.
The problem is, he plays in the
same conference as Roy Williams
in Dallas and Brian Dawkins in
Philadelphia.
>> Grossman, the quick hit to
Bernard Berrian who breaks free!
And Berrian takes it to the 3,
as Wilson brought him down.
Here's a guy who this year
wanted to get stronger and
tougher.
So, instead of taking the
wide receiver weightlifting in
the off-season, he wanted the
linebackers' regimen of
weightlifting.
Some of that strength here.
>> Rusty Jones, their strength
coach, deserves a lot of credit
for putting him on that program.
But you see the difference when
you get your center of gravity
low, and you do have some
strength and power.
This is what the Cardinals can't
think, that "Oh, my goodness,
here it goes now," Tony.
[ Crowd cheers ]
>> It's the number-one-scoring
offense in the league.
They're supposed to score in
circumstances like this.
>> Two tight ends.
John Gilmore is one of them.
McKie, the fullback, spun into
the waiting arms of
Bertrand Berry.
May have lost a yard.
>> People can't see it in the
booth.
You were shaking your head on
that play, Joe.
>> You give the ball to a guy
who's hardly carried.
He carried the ball four times
in four games.
Who you gonna fool down around
the goal line?
Even if you do pop him, he's not
gonna get there very quick.
It's a wasted call.
>> Grossman.
John Gilmore, the tight end, was
covered.
Throws it away.
Third down.
Muhammad came over.
Clark came over.
All levels of the defense
covered by the Cards.
>> Rex Grossman, when he makes
the fake, if he gets around
quick enough, watch number 85.
He has him open right now.
He has 85 open.
He does not have Desmond Clark,
number 88.
And on the back side,
Muhsin Muhammad is trying to
work across, and Eric Green's
not giving him a chance to go
someplace with the ball.
>> Something the Cardinals have
rarely had -- home-field
advantage.
Here, third down.
Grossman puts it up.
Incomplete.
Berrian tried to win a
jump ball, but good coverage by
the Arizona secondary.
>> All season long, that is a
drive that the Chicago Bears
make for a touchdown.
Just as the first play of the
game, they throw that deep ball
to Berrian.
They get 6.
They have played with the lead
all year long and big leads in
the second half.
In the first half, they've
outscored opponents 90-12.
This is brand-new for the
Chicago Bears, and I know, Joe,
you think they should have had a
touchdown in this series.
>> They had to have a touchdown.
They're down three scores if
they want to get ahead.
>> 23-yarder for the former
Penn Stater, Robbie Gould.
Hasn't missed a kick all year.
And keeps it that way as he puts
Chicago on the board.
It took them 2 1/2 quarters.
Chicago-style pizza is still
awesome.
About any joint on Wabash --
Chicago-style pizza is real...
Little pooch kick here by Gould,
trying to catch the Cardinals
sleeping.
It goes out of bounds.
So, Arizona will have the
opportunity here to get the ball
in excellent field position,
as they try to catch the
special teams of the Cards
napping with that little pooch
kick.
>> Thanks for inviting me for
the pizza.
I missed that.
How about you, Joe?
>> Out of bounds, kicking team.
By rule, the ball will be placed
at the 40-year line.
First down.
>> The stadium, 15 miles
northwest of downtown Phoenix,
sold out for the regular season.
It's booked for another 105
event days after the Cardinal
season.
January will have the first-ever
BCS title game, and it'll host
Super Bowl XLII in 2008.
Leinart down the middle.
Boldin almost made a one-hand
grab and may have saved a pick.
Leinart got hit there, but he's
been talking about a lot of
things on the sideline.
>> And that last one, too.
I don't know what they were
playing.
They closed the middle, and they
put the linebacker on B.J.
>> Got to learn to throw the
ball away, man.
They were all in my face.
Yeah, I didn't have a chance to
follow through.
>> Somebody up the gut and...
>> Oh, yeah.
Hey, let's go now.
Finish these guys.
Let's go!
>> That's the attitude this
Cardinals team has been missing
all year -- the inability to
finish.
Edgerrin James.
After a lot of 2-yard runs
tonight, James gets about 5 to
the 45.
>> It's an interesting concept,
that they haven't finished.
We talked on Saturday with a
whole bunch of people from the
Arizona Cardinals.
They made these points.
They all thought they should be
3-2, not 1-4.
They all think they have talent.
They all think they're just not
finishing.
And all of them, to a man, liked
Matt Leinart, liked the fact
that he was the quarterback now.
Thought he was confident
immediately, even as a rookie,
and that he was ready to give
them big games right away, which
you don't see from rookies.
>> Games they feel they should
have won -- the Kansas City game
last week and the 2-point home
loss to St. Louis in Week 3.
A third-and-5 throw is on the
money, but a huge hit by
Todd Johnson to knock it away.
Incomplete.
Boy, did he knock Troy Walters
down.
>> When Lovie Smith tried that
onside kick, what he basically
said was, "I'm gonna take a
chance.
Defense, you go out and make a
play."
Troy Walters is open.
Nathan Vasher falls down.
But then you see what happens.
Ouch!
Oh, Todd Johnson, helmet on the
ball, and Troy Walters wondering
what train he stepped in front
of.
>> That hurts up here.
That does.
>> Your teeth are sore.
>> And Devin Hester back deep
to receive.
They blocked a Player kick last
week.
A penalty marker comes down.
It's fourth and about 5 1/4.
If it's running into the kicker,
they might not have the first
down.
If it's roughing the kicker,
obviously, that comes with an
automatic first down.
Let's check the flag.
>> Personal foul, roughing the
kicker, defense, number 21.
15-yard penalty -- first down.
>> Last week in the Kansas City
game, Scott Player had a punt
blocked.
Chicago tries to get him from
almost the same side, the same
spot where the block came.
And Dante Wesley runs into the
kicker, and that is the same
spot, because Marcel Shipp, on
that right end, number 31, he
was the guy beat for the blocked
punt in the Kansas City game.
>> That time, he just managed to
hold his position long enough so
that he couldn't make the turn
around the corner.
Lovie's tried an onside kick,
and he's tried to block a punt.
He's going after Arizona.
Time is running away from the
Bears.
>> Leinart back on the field
with play-action.
Tried to just check it down to
James, and Lance Briggs with
another deflection.
Brian Urlacher is seen as the
superstar linebacker on this
team.
Briggs went to the Pro Bowl last
year.
And Brian said about Lance last
night, "He's the best outside
linebacker in the NFL."
>> And the other part of it,
too, is I like what Keith Rowen,
the offensive coordinator of the
Cardinals, is doing.
He's not getting conservative.
He's not just handing the ball
off.
>> But you didn't like him at
the end of the first half.
>> I thought he didn't make some
good calls there.
I like what he's doing now.
He's being aggressive.
Second down.
Put him in the gun.
>> Second year as the
coordinator here.
Came off the Kansas City staff
for six years, where he coached
the tight ends and
Tony Gonzalez.
[ Whistle blows ]
This play is stopped by a
false-start flag.
>> False start, offense,
number 75.
5-yard penalty -- still second
down.
>> Michele, Bears' injury
update?
>> Yeah, Chicago defensive back
Ricky Manning Jr., Mike, is out
for the rest of the game with a
hamstring injury.
Ricky Manning Jr. has
3 interceptions on the season.
That's a big loss for the Bears
but one less concern for
Matt Leinart, Mike.
>> Ricky Manning, who's been in
the news for a legal issue, as
well.
He pleaded no contest three
weeks ago in L.A., Michele, for
felony assault, going back to an
incident that occurred the day
before he joined the Bears in
the spring.
>> The game clock is reset to
6:15.
It should not have started
because of the incomplete pass.
>> A man claimed that he was
attacked by Manning.
The accuser said Manning was
uttering ethnic slurs 3:00 a.m.
at a Denny's.
The result of the sentence --
three years probation, one year
anger management, 100 hours of
community service.
Now we wait for league action,
and Manning will be headed to
New York to the league office
supposedly sometime this week,
depending on the injury, to talk
about that very issue.
Second and 15, Leinart.
Pass incomplete.
Arizona's side wants a flag on
Mike Brown, but Troy Walters
couldn't pull it in.
>> Certainly you're seeing a
different intensity level from
the Bears defensive backs.
Mike Brown jumps all over him
this time.
We saw what happened to him
last time, when Todd Johnson hit
him.
I still like the calls.
The thing is, time is in the
favor of the Arizona Cardinals.
They had a penalty and
incomplete pass, which stopped
it.
Now you got another incomplete
pass.
You're conserving time for the
Bears, which is something you
don't want to give them.
>> Third and 15, Urlacher
pushing up the middle.
Leinart's throw.
Boldin makes the catch for the
first down.
Nathan Vasher slipped on the
break, and the drive stays alive
with the big receiver Boldin.
>> I got to go back to you
because at one point you said
they were too conservative.
Then, you liked them passing.
But then you said, "If you pass,
and you make incomplete passes,
you stop the clock."
So, do you want them to run or
pass?
>> I want them to continue to do
what they're doing -- throw the
football.
>> All right.
>> The thing is, is the penalty
was a problem, also.
Throwing the ball is fine.
Stay aggressive.
Don't back it off.
>> The great gift was a penalty
here, when they got it on
roughing the kicker.
>> Without big receiver
Larry Fitzgerald, Boldin has
8 grabs tonight for 94 yards.
>> Now, this will be a run.
>> Edgerrin James.
Again, nowhere to go.
It'll be second and long.
>> Of course, he has better
hands.
>> Easy there.
Boldin's been the attention of
almost half of Leinart's passes
here tonight.
James breaks into the secondary
a yard shy of the first down.
But a penalty marker is down.
Charles Tillman made the tackle
in the secondary.
It looks like the Cardinals will
be retreating.
>> Illegal formation, offense.
There was no eligible receiver
on the end of the line of
scrimmage.
5-yard penalty -- second down.
>> Mike, the last four times
the Cardinals have gotten into
this position, inside the 30,
the 25-yard line, they haven't
been able to not just come away
with points, but they've made
mistakes.
They've had delay of games.
They've had movement.
Now you wind up with an illegal
formation.
This is not the way you put
people away.
>> Edgerrin James to the bench.
J.J. Arrington is the running
back.
Boldin at the bottom of your
screen.
And here is the second-year back
out of Cal.
Arrington tackled by
Mike Brown, and we'll have third
down coming up.
>> It may not be the way you put
people away, but the clock
continues to tick.
Chicago has not been able to
score a touchdown.
They're down 20-3.
Arizona continues to control the
ball and continues to stun
everybody watching this game.
This is a 1-4 team.
They can say they think they
should be 3-2.
A 1-4 team against the best team
in the NFL.
Dominating on offense and
defense, and Arizona, without
one of its great receivers, is
winning this game deep into the
third quarter.
>> Four receivers.
Carlyle Holiday is the fourth.
Third and 9 for Leinart, in
field-goal range.
On the dump down, it is right at
the first-down line.
Arrington picked it up.
First down picked up by
J.J. Arrington.
>> I am so impressed with
Matt Leinart, but I'm equally as
impressed with his offensive
line.
He has wonderful pocket
presence.
As the pressure comes from the
left side, watch him step up.
Moves up.
Knows where everyone is.
When they talk about the vision
of a quarterback seeing the
field, you can't see the entire
field, but you can know where
your outlet receivers are.
That's what he's doing now.
>> It's the best game the
offensive line has played all
year.
>> By far.
>> And as the current
terminology goes, that group was
rolled under the bus by their
head coach a couple of weeks
ago.
James runs right into Urlacher.
Nowhere to go.
Here's what Dennis said on his
local radio show on the
ESPN Radio affiliate here in the
desert...
Very strong comments, and to
that notion, there were changes
made.
The starting combo tonight is
the fourth different
offensive line combination in
the first six games.
60, Nick Leckey, was moved into
the starting spot tonight.
>> This might be a consideration
to stay a while.
This would be one I would sort
of tend to stay with it.
>> They've kept their
quarterback clean.
Leinart rolls left and threw it
behind the intended receiver,
Bergen, the tight end.
>> I like these play calls.
I really do.
>> Now you do.
>> No, I like the fact that
they're staying aggressive.
You can stay aggressive running
the ball.
You can stay aggressive throwing
the ball.
I like the fact that he's
putting Matt Leinart in the
shotgun on first and second
down.
They're running play-action.
They're giving the Bears a lot
to think about on that side of
the ball.
>> To Tony's point from the
pregame show -- it's not that
Edgerrin James is giving them a
big running base to work off.
He's averaging under 2 yards per
carry tonight.
>> Yeah.
>> But the offensive line is
giving him enough of an
opportunity to keep it
manageable third downs.
>> James, 23 carries, 44 yards.
From here, a field goal is
34 yards.
Arrington is the back, and J.J.
runs again, and he's unable to
get the first down.
The good speed of Alex Brown,
the former Florida Gator,
Pro Bowl alternate last year,
forces the field goal.
>> Mike, I was talking about
possessions in a half.
During a game, you're lucky if
you get 11.
That's right about the average,
as I've looked at it.
We're coming up on 2:00 in the
third quarter, the Bears have
had the ball once.
Arizona's had it twice.
There's only been three
possessions.
There will be four total in this
quarter.
You just run out of time if your
defense can't create
opportunities for you, and
that's something the Bears
defense has not done for their
offense, 'cause their offense
is giving it away.
>> Rackers from 29 to make the
lead 20.
23-3, Arizona.
>> So, now they're back where
they were at the beginning of
the half.
>> This is their 19th season in
Arizona.
Their first 18, they played at
Arizona State, right there where
the Sun Devils play, in Tempe.
So, they moved here to their own
facility, but the
University of Phoenix buys the
naming rights, so it becomes
University of Phoenix Stadium,
even though they left the
college campus where they
played.
Go figure.
Devin Hester, kickoff return.
Trying to make something happen.
And he's brought down at the
23-yard line.
Arizona is plus-4 in the
turnover margin tonight.
Check this out.
The prior decade coming into
this season, they were a
minus-102 in turnover margin,
the only team in the history of
the league to have 100 more
giveaways than takeaways in a
10-year span -- ever.
They lost the turnover margin
forever.
They're winning it tonight,
winning the game by 20.
Deep shot for Berrian.
Almost made a Torry Holt-like
circus catch.
Antrel Rolle deflected it to
knock it away, and Eric Green
cleaned up the coverage.
>> You got to hang this one up
with a little more trajectory
underneath it.
You can't rocket the ball down
the field.
This is something Rex is gonna
learn.
Antrel does a nice job.
Berrian almost winds up with it,
but if this thing has a little
more trajectory on it,
Bernard Berrian's gonna run by
almost everybody in this league,
and he was on top of Eric Green.
The Bears have to get some
points on this drive.
[ Crowd cheers ]
>> Second and 10.
Cedric Benson is in the game for
the Bears.
Gets it for the first time
tonight and makes a nice move.
Benson, the former
fourth-overall pick in the draft
with a gain of about 6 1/2.
>> Mentioned this earlier, that
an Arizona win tonight cannot
only establish Matt Leinart as a
big-time quarterback but can
help keep Denny Green in this
job.
This is his third year, the
third year in a row that they
have started 1-4.
They've got a new stadium.
They have players.
Anquan Boldin.
Fitzgerald is out right now.
They've spent a lot of money on
Edgerrin James.
Denny's a great salesman.
He sold himself and the
Cardinals.
People now say, "Okay, deliver."
You win this game against the
Bears, you've delivered.
>> Third and 2.
Grossman throw.
Huge hit and the ball comes out.
Incomplete.
Eric Green, who has been
everywhere tonight, made another
huge hit that forces another
Chicago three-and-out.
>> This is one of those nights
where what you do is you just
get cases of game balls, and you
start giving them away.
That was real close to a catch,
but he never quite had
possession.
>> What a great job by
Eric Green.
There he is.
>> Very excited.
>> Matt Leinart has done a
wonderful job stabilizing this
entire football team.
Kurt Warner had fumbled 10 times
and thrown 5 interceptions in
the first 4 games of the season.
Matt Leinart has stabilized the
position.
>> Brad Maynard has been busy
tonight.
Beautiful punt here.
Unreturnable and will be marked
out of bounds officially at the
15-yard line.
James' run.
Nowhere to go.
Runs into the arms of
Tank Johnson.
Matt Leinart wearing that
wireless microphone.
Here he is from the last series.
>> They're banking on us turning
the ball over.
That's all they're working on.
>> Hey, they're giving it to us.
Let's go, baby.
Come on, baby. Let's go.
They're giving it to us.
That was a big drive for us,
man.
That took, like, 6 minutes off.
>> Tony, that speaks to
something you guys were just
talking about, that confidence,
that leadership, that guys are
willing to listen to him.
>> Even though he's a kid, a
rookie.
>> Yeah.
>> And they like him, and they
do appreciate the fact that he
played on a big stage in
college.
>> Second down from the 15!
He's hit from behind.
Mark Anderson the hit.
The scoop and score for
Mike Brown!
The Bears get back in it.
>> Robert Griffith just told
Matt Leinart, "They're waiting
for us to make a mistake."
Now, this is not on Leinart,
when you get hit from the blind
side without anybody blocking
you.
When you get just absolutely
unblocked -- I mean, I have no
earthly idea what Oliver Ross is
thinking or looking at.
But there's a guy lined up
outside his right shoulder that
he just doesn't even see.
>> He's not looking at 97.
We've established that.
>> Mark Anderson has come on
with a vengeance.
That's his 6 1/2 sack so far.
>> Came in leading all rookies.
Fifth-round pick out of Alabama.
Gould adds the extra point, and,
just like that, 13-point game.
And off we go to the fourth
quarter from Arizona.
Mike Tirico, Joe Theismann,
Tony Kornheiser.
Michele Tafoya down on the
field.
Suzy Kolber back with us next
week.
Just a moment ago,
Bertrand Berry trying to fire up
his quarterback after the
turnover.
>> Hey, don't let it come down.
Just one play!
Let it be one play.
Let's go.
We got to get the rhythm back.
Let's go. We're good.
>> Remember, Tony, Berry on
Saturday was one of the guys who
was very vocal about "our need
to finish" and "our need to
learn how to have the killer
instinct."
Right now the Bears defense is
ready for everything.
One yard there with Edge.
Here's Michele.
>> Mike, I mentioned I spoke
with Pete Carroll this week, and
he planned to talk to
Matt Leinart before the game.
I asked what advice he'd give
him.
He said, "I'll tell him what I
always tell him.
Don't overtry.
Take what they give you.
Use the system and use the guys
around you.
Don't do it all yourself."
But, Mike, Carroll also said,
"Matt will handle this.
If they can protect him, I have
no worry about his ability to
handle this."
And up until that sack, they had
protected him.
>> Yup, and Ross with the
complete miss, the fumble,
recovered by Mike Brown for the
touchdown.
Second down.
[ Whistle blows ]
And whistles stop this one and
will push it back.
>> There is no foul for illegal
formation.
Arizona's charged its first team
time-out.
>> Okay, so, the Cardinals
getting the time-out called
there on the sideline before the
play comes off.
Out of the Arizona-called
time-out, this is second down.
And Leinart throws to Boldin.
Hangs on, first down, at the
39-yard line.
>> It is so great to have a
money receiver, a guy you can
count on, a guy you know is
gonna get open.
He's strong enough.
He's big enough to go make
plays.
He will go up and snatch this
ball out of the air.
Just snatches it.
Excellent protection now.
Good throw.
>> They thought they had two
money receivers, and they did in
Larry Fitzgerald, and he's out.
And against the Bear defense for
Boldin to do this much is rather
amazing.
>> Mike Brown had an Achilles'
problem coming in.
You can see him limping around.
Don't know whether he hurt it on
the touchdown, but it's a
different ballgame when
Worrell's in there.
>> That's why you saw 44 coming
up to hit Boldin.
Was a half-second late.
Here is the run to James.
Turning down tackles.
Edgerrin James runs with a
purpose for the first down near
midfield.
>> Edge has come into this
football team and changed the
personality of it.
When you look at this locker
room, locker rooms are
important -- the cohesiveness,
the way they feel about one
another.
The Bears have that feeling.
But the big thing with Edge --
matter of fact, the black shoes
he's wearing is one of the
changes that he made to this
football team.
He went to ownership and said,
"Look.
White shoes are good for golf
and for wearing high socks when
you're old.
But black shoes are for
football."
>> In Bear territory, James
spins again.
Urlacher starts it, and it's
finished off by Alex Brown.
>> Look -- he's had trouble
gaining.
The offensive line hasn't helped
him.
He's got a tremendous amount of
rushes where he gets no yards at
all.
He's also complained the last
few weeks that he wants the ball
in the fourth quarter.
He talks about finishing games.
And he wants the ball in the
fourth quarter to run out the
clock and gain some yards.
That seems to be what they're
going to now.
When they've tried this before,
it hadn't worked, and
Denny Green had pulled back and
said, "We're gonna throw the
ball more."
This is where Edgerrin James is
gonna earn that money.
>> And you know the first -- he
knows how to finish games.
>> Sure. Did it in Indianapolis.
>> Yeah.
Second and 10, getting a legal
man on the end of the line.
Leinart pumping.
The Pro Bowler Briggs.
Flag is down, as Leinart throws
it away, making sure he was out
of the tackle box.
The pass did cross the line of
scrimmage.
So, there's no grounding flag
thrown to this point, but there
is one at the line of scrimmage.
>> Matt Leinart might have a
cramp, also.
>> Illegal motion, offense,
number 81.
That penalty is declined.
Third down.
>> Michele Tafoya?
>> Well, another hit for the
Chicago Bears.
Starting strong safety
Mike Brown is being carted off
to the locker room.
He's got a sprained right foot.
They're taking him in for
x-rays, likely out for the game,
guys.
>> He had the Achilles' soreness
that Joe had talked about.
He missed '04 with calf problems
and '05.
And he scored that touchdown
right back here in his home
area.
He's from Scottsdale, Arizona.
And there you see him under the
pile getting bent back after
that touchdown was scored
just a few moments ago.
>> J.J. Arrington the back in
the game.
Leinart hit as he throws.
Incomplete.
Bryant Johnson went sliding, but
Matt couldn't stand and deliver
because he was being delivered
upon by Israel Idonije.
>> The Bear defense doing what
they're supposed to do and
that's create the opportunity
for their offense to get on the
field.
We've seen that right side.
Oliver Ross is over there.
Now, all of a sudden, you get
the big defensive end come
flying in.
>> Devin Hester, who has made
some questionable decisions, can
make spectacular plays.
A flag comes down.
Player's kick has good hang
time, and Hester makes the fair
catch at the 15.
Let's check the laundry.
It's a 34-yard punt but did the
job because of the hang time.
Man, if it's on the Cardinals,
the Bears could choose to tack
it on.
>> Illegal formation, kicking
team.
Number 97 was not lined up on
the line of scrimmage.
The 5-yard penalty will be added
to the end of the kick.
>> So, the Bears will take over
at the 21.
As the quarter began, Bears down
13.
Chicago has lost its last
16 games in which it trailed
going into the first quarter.
That's the longest consecutive
current streak in the NFL.
Trying to overcome that here
tonight, and Cedric Benson
carries out to the 25-yard line.
>> ...on a season, except 5-0 is
obviously not 12-0.
>> Second and 6.
Wilson comes in.
The safety is picked up, but he
has to get rid of it does
Grossman, and the pass is
incomplete.
>> I will say this.
Coming into this game,
Rex Grossman was the celebrated
quarterback.
Matt Leinart had one start
underneath him.
Obviously a rookie, a big-time
rookie, but only one start.
Rex Grossman has not been able
to generate any offense.
Their score came on a defensive
play, and Leinart has been the
guy to take center stage and
make it work for him.
>> Third down.
Cards show and bring with the
4-man rush.
And Grossman's throw is
incomplete.
That's another Eric Green hit!
And Muhsin Muhammad is slow to
get up.
That's about four times that
Eric Green has cleaned out a
Chicago receiver tonight.
>> Antrel Rolle at one corner,
Eric Green at the other corner
have really done a fabulous job.
Just delivering blows.
It knocks him backwards.
Rex Grossman has the time, a
little bit behind.
And you see Eric Green -- bang.
>> Running out of time.
>> They are.
>> Running out of time.
>> The Bears are not coming up
with the plays they need on
offense, which is really the
reason why they got to 5-0 this
year.
>> They haven't done much
offensively -- only 141 yards,
6 three-and-outs, 4 turnovers
tonight.
Fair-caught at the 20 by
Troy Walters.
My son wanted a Matt Leinart's
kids' jersey.
They're all sold out already.
James the run.
Nowhere to go -- lost a couple
of yards.
>> This is where the Bear
defense has to step up and stop
the Cardinals, to create some
possessions for their offense.
The Cardinals, if they can gain
a couple of first downs here,
they're gonna put a lot of
pressure on the Bears to just
have enough time left to make
plays.
And there are the numbers that
the Bears put up, numbers that
you guys pointed out at the top,
gaudy numbers defensively.
But tonight Urlacher's team has
been backed off a little bit by
the poise and presence of
Leinart.
Quick toss.
It's still alive, and it's
incomplete.
It was deflected and never
touched the ground.
After Charles Tillman hit it, it
was alive in the air for a
while.
>> We mentioned just a while ago
about that
"Monday Night Football" game
between the great Bears team of
'85 and Miami.
And we mentioned it because
people have looked at this 5-0
start by the Bears and
automatically assumed they are
the '85 Bears.
Clearly, at 5-0, it's not 12-0,
and they're being pretty much
taken apart tonight, but this
has happened.
People wonder when are they
gonna do a video?
People are making reservations
in Chicago for the Super Bowl.
The man to my right,
Joe Theismann, had them going
16-0, I hasten to say.
>> Game's not over yet.
>> Marcel Shipp next to Leinart.
Third down, Urlacher.
Knocked that one down.
Brian Urlacher, the defensive
player of the year, forces the
three-and-out.
>> The Bears have batted down
4 balls, I believe, tonight.
Four of them on short passes
that Matt Leinart's try to get
off.
And the clock stops again.
Brian Urlacher, right in the
middle of your screen.
Comes around, can't get there.
Jumps up in the air and swats it
back.
He hasn't had a sack in
16 games, but his presence in
the middle makes you think about
those great Chicago Bear
middle linebackers.
>> Devin Hester would love to
get his hands on a return and
make something happen.
From the 37, got a couple of
blocks.
Has some room.
And brought down at the 43-yard
line -- a very good tackle.
Net punting is one of those
stats that you don't really pay
a lot of attention to, but the
Cardinals netted only 23 yards
on that exchange, thus Chicago
starts with great field position
at the Cardinal 43, by far their
best starting-series spot of the
night.
Offside to the Cards, and it
will be whistled down and
stopped because the player was
untouched coming over.
>> Unabated to the quarterback,
defense, number 92.
Five-yard penalty -- still first
down.
>> On Bertrand Berry.
>> They like to slide in big
words every now in the rules.
You could just say, "He was
offsides, and nobody blocked
him."
But no, they like "unabated."
>> Like unabated?
>> Unabated.
>> "Unimpeded" could be good,
too.
>> Unimpeded's another one.
Right.
Rex Grossman has had people that
have been impeded and still
knocked the living daylights out
of him.
>> This is just starting to
teeter on that point.
>> Yep.
>> Great field position, first
and 5, chance to take a shot
down the field.
>> Have to take shots, anyway.
>> Grossman.
Firing.
Incomplete.
Well-covered as Berrian was the
intended receiver.
This is very similar to last
week, when the Cardinals had a
14-point lead right out of the
gate after the first quarter,
and they're trying to not blow
it like they did in this
building last week to
Kansas City.
And how about this?
In NFL history, no team has lost
two consecutive games in the
same season when they led by 14
at the end of the first quarter.
Never mind 14-point lead or more
at the end of the first quarter
in back-to-back weeks.
>> It would be a devastating
loss for Arizona.
>> Absolutely.
>> Never in the same season has
it happened.
But Grossman's made only one of
his last eight.
There's a marker down as Jones
keeps going for the first down
across the 30, to the 27-yard
line.
>> This could be against
Arizona.
Getting a little itchy up front.
>> Another offside flag.
>> Offside, defense, number 98.
That penalty is declined.
The result of the play is a
first down.
>> It would not only be a
situation which you blew two
14-point first-quarter leads in
a row, but in this game, they
had a 20-point lead in the
second half.
>> Chicago can't settle for
field goals.
They're gonna have to go for
touchdowns.
[ Crowd cheers ]
>> Grossman.
Just gets rid of it.
And you can almost sense, as
Grossman got knocked down again.
Chike Okeafor in there.
You can almost sense with the
Cardinals that fear of impending
doom -- what did Denny Green
say about what's waiting outside
the door?
>> He said at one point when he
talked to us that "success is
waiting just outside the door,"
the door to his office.
And I remember saying to you,
"Success is waiting just outside
the door if the Bears are
waiting just outside the door."
Success could be his, but if he
blows this game, your team
sinks.
>> The problem is with the
Cardinals, failure always walks
through the door when they least
want it.
And that's the negative vibe
that they try to fight here.
Grossman, another home-run shot.
Nothing doing.
One more time intended for
Berrian, and it's been a lot of
balls that had no chance of
completing.
>> They've made a habit out of
snatching failure from the jaws
of victory.
Is that the old cliché?
>> That time, Antrel Rolle
bumped into Bernard Berrian when
Rex Grossman let this ball go.
Watch Berrian.
Now you can't touch the receiver
after 5 yards.
I don't know if somebody can't
count up to 5, but it sure
looked like he was down the
field.
>> The way he had cut, you
didn't think it was gonna be a
catch, but by letter of the
law...
>> You can't touch him.
>> Yes. Third down.
[ Crowd cheers ]
Grossman's throw.
Incomplete.
They've done a nice job in the
secondary.
Now what do you do?
>> I think you have to go for
it.
You're 9:25.
Field goal takes you to 13.
You're still two scores down.
You still have to go.
I feel like you have to go for
it.
Put the onus back on your
defense.
You tried an onside kick.
You gave them better field
position than this.
This is the right decision.
But he can't keep trying to
force the ball down the field.
Rex is trying so hard to get
big plays.
Big plays will come to you.
>> So, they eschew the
opportunity for the 45-yard
field goal to make it a
10-point game and try to pick it
up on fourth down.
Coming off the corner,
Antrel Rolle is picked up.
Grossman's pass is knocked down,
and it is intercepted.
Darnell Dockett comes away with
the pick.
As he continues down the field,
no one has marked him down, and
with a convoy of Cardinals,
Dockett takes it all the way to
the end zone.
The Bears stopped.
They thought the play was over.
Ruling on the field, touchdown.
>> He landed on top of the Bear
player.
He did not land on the ground.
Great presence of mind to keep
on running.
>> Didn't Javon Walker do that a
few years ago, as well?
Catch a pass, not actually
hit the ground, landed on top
one of the other players and
kept running?
>> On Monday night.
>> Like everyone else in this
stadium, I thought he was down.
>> And they're going slow to set
up the extra point to see if
Lovie Smith is thinking about
challenging here, with a
challenge still at his disposal.
And the red flag has been
thrown.
And he rolls over, and his knee
does come down there.
So, it will be down.
Rashied Davis takes him out, and
once this knee hits.
>> This quarter has to be the
longest quarter I've ever seen.
>> Chicago is challenging the
ruling on the field, that the
runner was down by contact.
>> And he's right.
>> So, it'll be at the 27-yard
line.
It looks very clear there.
It was a millisecond for the
player coming down.
It was not seen, and that's why
the Bears stopped, and the
Cardinals did not.
So, the challenge flag thrown by
Lovie Smith, and we'll take a
look under the hood with 9:08 to
go.
As we talked about, I just want
to remind everyone on this
challenge.
Even with the reversal here, it
won't be the points.
It will be Arizona ball, one
because of the interception.
It was also a fourth-down play.
So, as we're watching all this,
remember.
The Cardinals are gonna get the
ball back with 9:08 to go and
their lead.
>> But the Cardinals are gonna
have to get some first downs to
take some time off the clock if
they want to preserve the
victory.
>> After reviewing the play, the
defender was down by contact at
the 26-yard line.
The ball will be returned to the
26-yard line, first and 10.
Please reset the game clock to
9:18.
>> Does he give the football
back that he took to the
sideline he was proudly
displaying?
>> No.
>> It is a pick for a defensive
linemen.
They always like to have those.
>> He has to give the football
back, I suppose.
>> No.
>> But he needs the oxygen that
he took at the sidelines, as
well, after that run.
>> The entire team ran down
there with him.
>> Yeah, convoy.
>> You know, I see Darnell.
Kurt Warner was talking to him
over there for a second.
We saw a few shots of Kurt in
the conversations with
Matt Leinart.
Kurt got the start Week 1.
Was the NFC Player of the Week
in the victory over
San Francisco.
But what has hurt the Bears
tonight -- turnovers -- is
exactly what hurt Kurt Warner
this year.
And it just goes to show you
that when you turn the football
over as a quarterback, it's very
hard for your team to win in
this league, especially at that
volume.
James the carry, just a yard.
Edgerrin James tackled by
Brian Urlacher and Tank Johnson,
and we'll have third down coming
up.
>> That's the problem James has
had all year -- the inability
in situations like this to gain
yards.
>> The offense -- and it's not
on James -- the offensive line
does not create the kind of
opportunities that he had in
Indianapolis.
Let's face it.
When you spread the field, and
Peyton Manning is your
quarterback, there are going to
be holes to run.
His value, though, in
Indianapolis, even though he
gained a lot of yards, I think
was as a pass protector.
He's so smart and knows how to
help a quarterback out.
>> Third down.
Bears need to get the Cardinals
offense off the field.
Leinart's throw is complete.
Troy Walters tried to stay
in bounds.
He's out of bounds.
Still not under 5:00 left, but
the Bears do what they needed to
do -- a three-and-out -- and
Chicago will get the ball back.
>> And the thing that
Troy Walters had to try not to
do was go out of bounds.
The clock becomes so important
to protect a lead.
>> That face mask gets to me.
It just sags so badly.
>> It's got one screw.
It's got a loose screw in it.
>> Come on!
>> I wore a single bar, but at
least it covered my face a
little bit.
It didn't help much, but...
>> Didn't cover your mouth,
obviously, 'cause you kept
talking while you played.
>> And that's why I'm here.
>> Not under 5:00, so once the
ball was reset, the clock reset
to 25.
The game clock begins again.
Hester, good return last time.
Does he have an 81-yard punt
return in him?
No.
Good special teams' play to
bring him down at the 29-yard
line.
They came in having allowed a
paltry 7.2 points per game.
Grossman back to work.
Desmond Clark, the tight end,
who's had very productive
night.
Complete.
And this is what Rex Grossman's
gonna have to do -- take the
underneath coverages.
You'll get your shot down the
field, but get the safeties
coming up and making tackles on
your tight end and your backs
and your short-slot receivers.
>> No huddle and a whistle here
with a flag.
False start on the Bears.
>> False start, offense,
number 63.
5-yard penalty -- second down.
>> Lovie Smith was the
Coach of the Year in the
National Football League last
year.
Bears won the North.
Went from 5-11 to 11-5, and, of
course, had the disappointing
playoff loss to Carolina at
Soldier Field.
>> But they went 11-5 without a
quarterback.
They were a one-armed team.
They could not throw the ball
with Kyle Orton at all.
[ Crowd cheers ]
>> Orton, the rookie from
Purdue, started 15 times last
year.
Grossman, another deflection.
Incomplete.
>> Rex Grossman has got to get
away from the line of scrimmage.
They continue to try and throw
those slants.
Two things have happened.
He's had a bunch of balls batted
up in the air, or the receivers
have just gotten leveled by the
defensive backs.
There it is again.
Terrific job by Gerald Hayes,
coming around.
Free runner at him making the
play.
They're in 4-down territory
here.
So, Rex Grossman doesn't have to
try and get a big play.
Just has to pick up a first
down.
>> Pressure coming.
Wilson couldn't get there.
And Grossman completes the
pass to Bernard Berrian.
Taken out of bounds by
David Macklin, and it's at the
48-yard line.
>> Clancy Pendergast, the
defensive coordinator of the
Arizona Cardinals, has his guys
confusing Rex Grossman.
Terrific job.
Just a terrific job by
Ruben Brown, the left guard,
just getting a piece of him.
But Grossman staying around,
keeping his head, making plays.
But Clancy's got Rex all
confused.
>> Nobody open downfield.
Had to get rid of it.
Pass incomplete.
Clancy Pendergast, you
mentioned, Joe, the
defensive coordinator for
Arizona, is an Arizona alum,
University of Arizona.
He's a native of the state, and
some of his relatives owned some
of the land that this stadium
was built on.
It's out in Glendale.
The hockey arena is right next
door.
It's a big, vast area, and some
of his folks owned some of the
land.
>> [ Laughing ] What's he doing
coaching?
>> [ Laughs ]
>> If you're a real-estate
baron, and they're building
stadiums on your land.
>> I didn't say directly.
Some people in the family.
>> Why put yourself through
this?
[ Whistle blows ]
>> Cardinal charge brings flags.
>> Cardinals gambling a lot more
on defense than they did
earlier.
Right, Joe?
>> False start, offense,
number 63.
5-yard penalty -- still second
down.
>> Michele Tafoya.
>> What I can tell you guys
about Rex Grossman during this
game -- there has not been any
quit despite the struggles.
Just before this drive, went to
all his linemen, his backs, his
receivers, gave them a little
fist pump and said, "Let's go."
He has not looked rattled at all
by any of this.
>> It's part of going through
that Florida pressure-cooker and
here with the Bears this year.
He was booed in the preseason
when they played the Cardinals.
Everybody in Chicago was uptight
about Rex.
His teammates weren't.
Throw.
Great read.
Picked off by Robert Griffith,
the 13-year veteran.
>> He just absolutely refused to
take underneath receivers.
He kept trying to bite off big
chunks, and he either overthrew
them, and if he was home in
Chicago right now, they would be
booing louder than they did in
the preseason.
He has played very, very poorly
tonight.
He's thrown the ball poorly, and
his decisions have been bad.
>> That's not at all what people
expected.
Most people expected the Bears
to come in here and roll over
the Cardinals.
>> Rex has a tendency to be
considered a gunslinger, and
we've seen him in these last
couple of drives try and force
the ball down the field.
>> Turnover number six.
>> Fourth interception.
>> And Edgerrin James will try
to salt the game away, as his
run is stopped quickly by
Alfonso Boone, backup defensive
linemen.
>> The Cardinals worried about
their inability to finish.
If they can't finish this one
now, with all the turnovers
they've created, with what
they've done to Rex Grossman, if
they can't finish this one now,
then we can't even listen to
them for the rest of the year.
>> All the air.
>> Yeah, just close up the dome,
put the roof on it, and give it
back to -- is it Pendergast?
>> Yep.
>> Give it back to his family
and resell it as a pizza haven,
'cause it's over for football if
they don't hold onto this one.
>> Second down. Here's James.
And into the line.
Did the ball come out?
It did!
It is scooped up by the Bears!
Charles Tillman takes it the
distance, and Chicago is very
much alive!
You were saying?
>> That's exactly --
>> Remember?
>> How stupid could I possibly
look?
>> Remember the one thing
Robert Griffith said a few
series ago to Matt Leinart?
"They're waiting for us to make
a mistake."
>> Well, there it was.
>> Watch Urlacher here, guys.
Kept reaching in and just pulled
it out of the arms of
James, and it's scooped and
scored by Tillman.
>> Denny Green's gonna challenge
the play.
The flag's already out.
It's a good decision to
challenge it.
Doesn't look like it's gonna get
overturned.
But, hey, in this kind of a
situation, and as we're talking
about, to let this one get
away --
>> Totally devastating if that
happens, honestly.
Maybe I'm silly for saying to
close the roof on the stadium,
but if you are part of one of
the most unspeakably bad
franchises in history, that
never wins any games, and you
have the Bears on the table like
this, creating the turnovers
that you've have created, if you
were to lose this game, there's
just no turnaround off that.
>> The only thing you can look
at when you see this particular
video is obviously he's up.
Did the whistle blow?
Didn't hear any whistles.
The officials did not indicate
that the whistle blew.
It should be ruled a touchdown
upon the review.
>> Denny wants one more
explanation.
Alfonso Boone was holding James
up, and then it was freeing
Urlacher to come in and strip
it.
>> Arizona wants to challenge
the ruling on the field of a
fumble.
You cannot challenge forward
progress.
They will not be charged a team
time-out.
The touchdown will stand.
>> So, it has been a year since
Edgerrin James had a fumble,
almost a year.
It happens here at the most
inopportune time, and the guy
who was almost belligerent about
letting him run it to finish out
the game in trying to do that
gives it up here.
>> The heads-up nature of
Brian Urlacher.
He is actually way outside on
the right.
Reaches in, yanks the ball out.
We can talk all we want about
Rex Grossman and the offense,
but it's the defense once again
that's getting it done.
>> Two defensive scores, and the
Chicago Bears, down 23-3 with
5 seconds left in the third
quarter, have come back on the
strength of two defensive
scores.
6-point game, 5:00 left.
>> Wow!
>> Here's what happened
yesterday when we talked to
Lovie Smith.
He turned to me.
He said, "What do you think our
goal on defense is?"
And I said, "To create
turnovers."
And he said, "I thought you
would say that.
No, our goal is to score first.
Our second goal is to get the
ball back."
They have put 14 up without any
offense.
Right?
Two successive devastating plays
created that.
So, Lovie Smith -- this is
exactly what he tells his
defense to do -- not just get
the ball back.
Punch it in.
They've done that twice.
>> And your quarterback is
playing horrifically.
Four interceptions and none of
them close to people.
He's just throwing them up in
the air.
This is an opportunity again for
that Bear defense to go back on
the field to try and make some
plays and create opportunities.
>> Can you even imagine what it
would be like to be an
Arizona Cardinal to lose this
game now?
>> Imagine what they're feeling
right now.
There has to be in their minds
right now, saying, "Oh, my gosh,
here we go again."
>> Yeah.
Bob Dylan had a line -- "Oh,
my God, am I here all alone?"
>> You know, guys, you look at
Urlacher, and those are the kind
of plays that you expect out of
the Chicago Bear middle
linebacker, the Defensive Player
of the Year, when all hope is
gone.
We see guys try to do that all
the time.
He got in there and got the ball
out from a Pro Bowl back in
Edgerrin James.
>> Butkus, Singletary, Urlacher.
They make those plays.
>> Arrington the return.
J.J. to the 33-yard line.
He's brought down by
Cameron Worrell, the safety.
>> This flag came in.
J.J. spiked the ball and was
real excited about what he did.
>> Yep.
>> Could it be taunting?
>> The ruling on the field, we
have unsportsmanlike conduct for
taunting, receiving team,
number 28.
15-yard penalty -- first down.
>> J.J. Arrington, when he got
up, he just spiked the ball into
the ground, not necessarily at
any individual.
Now, I don't know if he gets in
anybody's face.
Yes, he does.
He turns around.
All you had to do was keep your
mouth shut.
It's great to celebrate.
>> Can it go from bad to worse
much quicker than this?
>> How many different ways?
>> After Edgerrin James' first
fumble since October 17th last
year, or 52 Mondays ago, the
Cardinals try to show some
resiliency.
Their lead that was 20 is now 6.
And the series begins going
right to James.
Right to the ground.
Who else? Urlacher again.
>> This is where the pressure
falls on Keith Rowen, the
offensive coordinator and
Matt Leinart, the quarterback.
We've seen him get some balls
knocked down.
Well, Urlacher batted one down.
He created a fumble.
Now he's made a tackle.
You can't fold up the tent right
now.
Too much time left.
You have to put the ball in the
air.
Put him in the shotgun.
Get him away from the line of
scrimmage and do what you did
early in the game.
>> He made plays last year
against Notre Dame when he had
to.
Can he make them against the
Bears?
>> Fourth and 9 -- I remember it
all too well.
>> It's been a struggle since
those first couple of drives.
Back to Anquan Boldin, the money
man tonight.
First down to the 34-yard line,
a gain of 14, as Boldin
continues to dominate the game
at the receiver position.
>> That's a big play for
Leinart.
This is a big drive for Leinart.
He is a rookie.
He has the entire stage to
himself.
If he can run this one out, if
he can keep them on the field,
this offense on the field,
and win this game, again, that's
the Hollywood ending for the kid
from the O.C., right?
>> I don't look at him as a
rookie.
>> Really?
>> I don't.
>> Well, he is.
>> He watches the clock.
He's just so aware of what's
going on.
>> He's smart.
He knows to go to Boldin.
Ten catches tonight, 297 in his
career.
James. Urlacher.
Brian Urlacher is just locking
in on 32, and he's coming to get
him and get him and get him
again.
>> Brian Urlacher has decided to
take over this football game.
He's made two tackles here in
the last three plays.
He's batted a ball down.
He's forced a fumble in the last
five.
He's had ten tackles and one
forced fumble.
He has really been all over.
>> Time-out taken by Chicago.
Each team can stop it twice.
>> You have to do it for a long
time, as the other guys did.
>> Off the time-out, second and
12.
Leinart throws.
Bryant Johnson couldn't adjust
to the Charles Tillman coverage.
>> I like the fact that the
Cardinals are not just trying to
pound it in there.
They're trying to win this
football game.
They're not trying to protect
a lead.
They're trying to go out and win
it.
When you look at the way the
Cardinals are playing, you get
the sense that Denny Green has
got them really pointed in the
right direction -- a player
here, a play there.
>> Not if they lose this one,
though, Joe.
Not if they give this lead up
in this way.
He's not the player.
He hasn't fumbled.
>> Third and 12.
Most of the noise coming from
the Bear fans hibernating here
in the desert.
Leinart's flushed to his left.
He can throw well to his left,
but not enough steam to get it
downfield to Walters, and the
Bears will get the ball back
with 3:17 to go.
>> Rex Grossman has to change
his M.O. right now.
For a little over 57 minutes, he
has tried to force the plays.
His defense is creating
opportunities for him.
He'll have good field position.
He has to just take what the
defense is giving him.
>> They almost got to Player's
kick.
Devin Hester from the 18.
Creating blocks!
Devin Hester into the open
field.
And Hester picks up another
block.
Devin Hester -- the punter to
beat.
He beat him!
Devin Hester...
all the way!
Touchdown, Chicago Bears!
>> That's just incredible.
>> That is exactly what he did
in college at Miami to
Louisville when they had a big
lead.
And the rookie does it again.
82 yards!
>> Absolutely incredible.
They've scored no points on
their own offense.
>> Their offense has been
horrible.
>> They have two scores on
defensive plays and a score on a
punt return.
>> We talked about the
Chicago Bears as a football
team, and what you're seeing
tonight -- the first five games,
their offense has carried them
and done an excellent job.
Tonight, the special teams and
the defense have jumped up and
now created an opportunity for
another chapter in your
Matt Leinart story to be able to
try and do something.
>> This is for the lead,
Robbie Gould.
An unbelievable comeback by the
Bears here in Arizona, 24-23.
Lovie Smith's team has come
back.
Let me tell you a story about
Devin Hester.
I'm in the Orange Bowl doing a
Thursday-night game five years
ago.
It's Louisville against Miami.
And Hester idolized
Deion Sanders.
In a game against the Cardinals,
very similar to this, he said he
wanted to make the big play like
his idol, Deion Sanders.
He made the punt return, erased
a big deficit, put them over the
top for the lead.
That night, Deion Sanders
watching, heard us mention his
name on the broadcast.
He reached out to call
Devin Hester, even though it was
a Florida State guy calling a
Miami guy.
Hester, who also plays corner,
has struck up a friendship with
Deion, and I guarantee you
there's a text message from
Deion's phone to Devin's phone
right now, saying, "I'm proud of
you, 23."
He should have stayed in the end
zone and done the Deion dance.
>> And Matt Leinart gathering
his thoughts.
It's all on his shoulders now.
The offensive line will have to
pass-block against what is gonna
be a ferocious attack.
>> You understand, if you are a
sports columnist now, and you're
getting ready to write, it is
very hard for you not to put the
words "choke" and "Arizona" in
the first sentence.
14-point first-quarter lead,
20-point second-half lead and
not giving it up on offensive
plays.
>> The thing that Matt Leinart
has to be thinking about right
now is opportunity.
This is why you want to play
quarterback.
"Put the ball in my hands.
Give me a chance."
He's been there many, many times
before, maybe not on this stage,
but it's not an unfamiliar
position to him.
>> From the 7.
J.J. Arrington.
Mistake on the back end of the
last kickoff.
Taken out of bounds.
Kurt Warner with some words of
advice to Matt Leinart on the
sideline a moment ago.
>> It's all on you.
This is what you do.
It's what you do.
>> He's right.
That's what he does.
This is why you get the big
dollars.
That's why they send the big
checks.
They actually put them in your
account.
They don't even send them to
you.
>> And that's why there's
"class" after the word
Kurt Warner, the guy who took
his job.
He's been talking to Leinart all
night long and just those last
words of encouragement going up
against Urlacher and the Bears
defense that has turned this
game around.
>> They only need a field goal
or to get in field-goal range
for an opportunity.
>> 2:53, 2 time-outs.
First pass, Boldin, his 11th
catch of the night.
Brian Urlacher pushes 81 into
the ground.
>> Is he all over the field?
>> There's two of them.
>> Is there any play that is
made by Chicago that Urlacher
doesn't make at any part of the
field?
>> There are two of them.
That's the thing you don't know.
>> [ Laughing ] Okay.
>> There's one playing
middle linebacker and one
playing somewhere else wherever
the ball is.
>> Been a quiet night for
Tommie Harris, the big
pass rusher, number 91.
Leinart throws underneath.
Complete for the first down to
Edgerrin James near midfield.
Let's see if they squeeze in a
play before the 2:00 warning.
>> You don't have to rush.
Just take your time.
Let it go down.
You've got time-outs.
You've got a 2:00 warning.
No sense in hurrying things up.
Gives you a chance to talk to
your offensive line a little
bit.
>> Those comparisons are made to
the '85 Bears, mythical teams.
A win like this is a
mythical-type win.
In the final seconds of the
third quarter, Arizona led,
23-3.
Matt Leinart was sacked,
fumbled.
Turned into a Mike Brown
touchdown.
The Bears added another
defensive touchdown after an
Edgerrin James fumble.
And then Devin Hester brought it
back 82 yards.
And Dennis Green's team, that --
well, it's always something with
the Arizona Cardinals.
Always something, whether it was
Denny Green or whoever the coach
was or the quarterback.
Well, they're down 1, and now
they have a chance.
They're 20 yards out of
field-goal range for Rackers --
comfortable field-goal range.
And Leinart's pass is
incomplete.
Bryant Johnson was the receiver
in the neighborhood, but
pressure came in.
>> Matt Leinart is not gonna
move around a lot.
He's sitting in the pocket.
It's gonna be up to that
offensive line to give them a
chance to be able to make the
throws.
I have complete confidence in
Matt Leinart not being rattled,
doing a better job than
Rex Grossman has getting the
ball to the underneath people.
>> Do you find yourself rooting
for him?
I do a little bit here.
This could be the makings of his
career if he gets this done.
>> I can root for a young man,
absolutely.
>> Second down.
His throw is caught by
Troy Walters.
The veteran's out of bounds,
gain of 6.
Third and 4 with 1:52 and
2 time-outs remaining.
>> You're in 2-down territory
here, so, again, you don't need
to try and put the ball down the
field.
You've seen extreme contrasts in
what Matt Leinart is doing with
the football versus what we saw
Rex Grossman do in a situation
where they tried to get in
position for score.
Rex tried to take off bigger
chunks.
Matt is not.
>> Do you throw here?
You throw here, don't you?
>> Keep throwing.
You're not gonna fool them,
'cause Urlacher will tackle if
you give a guy the ball.
>> Urlacher's right behind the
first-down line.
It's third down.
Leinart throws complete to the
first down to Ayanbadejo.
So, Femi Ayanbadejo comes out of
the backfield, makes a 13-yard
reception, and puts Arizona in
field-goal range.
>> Matt Leinart looks like he's
been here before.
>> He has, just not in the NFL.
>> But USC is like the NFL.
They put enough guys in the NFL.
You're used to the speed.
We've seen the impact of a
Reggie Bush coming out of USC.
Everybody said, "Oh, he was too
small."
Well, Matt Leinart -- I didn't
think his arm was strong enough.
I was wrong.
It's plenty strong.
>> From the 31 with 2 time-outs,
already in field-goal range.
Leinart throws for Boldin, who
caught it.
Ducked out of Urlacher's big hit
to get a gain of 8.
Covered by Vasher.
>> How can you not like what's
going on?
>> What I asked you before -- I
asked you do you find yourself
rooting for him just a little
bit?
He's a rookie.
He comes out of California, USC,
37-2 in USC.
People like you doubted his arm
strength.
Everybody at the time of the
draft wondered why he dropped
all the way to 10.
He was almost discarded in that
way.
He ends up in Arizona, where
they have no history of winning,
and he's got a chance to pull up
the biggest upset of the year,
maybe in the whole franchise
history.
>> Don't get conservative and
start running.
>> On second down.
Edgerrin James protecting the
ball as he tries to move toward
a first down.
And interesting here -- with the
clock running down, Arizona's
milking it toward a field goal.
Will the Bears use it to stop
the clock, or will Arizona?
Both teams have time-outs.
Chicago taking this time-out.
>> In the open -- it seems like
years ago -- we talked about
a quiet confidence, like a
Tom Brady.
He has that type of demeanor.
>> Those are big shoes, Joe.
>> I know they're shoes, but he
looks that way.
>> Third and 1.
James cannot get the first down.
So, the field-goal attempt will
come here, and the Bears will
get a chance.
What a huge stop that was by
Chicago.
It buys them at least the
opportunity to get down the
field and take a field goal
shot.
It was last week against the
Kansas City Chiefs that
Neil Rackers had an over-50-yard
field-goal attempt to tie the
game and send it to overtime.
Neil Rackers, who's married from
his best friend from high
school, Rachel -- you can tell
that he plays for the Cardinals.
And there you see his success in
the last couple minutes with a
field goal on the line to try to
change the outcome, send it to
overtime -- or the win, I should
say.
Only miss in his career was
against the Chiefs.
You can tell he plays for the
Cardinals because he and his
wife, Rachel, Monday night is
their date night.
They don't play on
"Monday Night Football" very
often.
>> [ Laughs ]
>> Well, he can have a date with
destiny, trying to keep the
Cardinals from one of the more
embarrassing losses by
converting a 40-yard field goal
here out of the hold of
Scott Player.
>> Hasn't missed from inside 50
this year.
>> Hester charges off the edge.
The field goal is leaking!
It's no good!
He missed it to the left!
And Rackers, a money kicker last
year, for the second straight
week misses one.
Would have given them the
overtime opportunity last week.
Could have given them the win
here.
And the Chicago Bears are about
to leave the desert with
thievery -- a 6-turnover,
no-offensive-score win.
>> Leinart did everything that
he was asked to do, including
hand-off on the last two plays.
And then the Bears -- Mike said
this before -- this would be
that miracle win, right?
That they have no business
winning this game.
Look how devastated the kicker
is as he runs away from the
line.
And Chicago walks out of here
6-0, on their way, you think, to
16-0.
They should have lost this game.
>> Yeah, well, they stole one.
>> They should have lost this
game.
Look at Leinart's reaction.
Banging his helmet.
>> There isn't anything more
than Matt Leinart can do.
You've got to pick up first
downs.
You pick up a first down, it
burns some more time off the
clock.
You get closer.
This kid's gonna be for real.
Well, he is is for real.
>> What the Cardinals were
saying all week was, "We're 1-4.
We should be 3-2."
Now they're gonna be able to say
they should be 4-2.
They should have won this game.
>> Gonna give you some
perspective here, guys.
The Cards blow a 14-0 lead
back-to-back weeks.
A 14-0 first-quarter lead, NFL
history.
Haven't seen that.
Second time in the history of
the Bears, down 20, they come
back and rally.
First time they've erased a
20-point second-half deficit.
And it's the first time since
Tennessee in 2000 that a team
has committed 6 or more
turnovers and won a football
game.
And that's the Arizona Cardinals
in a nutshell tonight.
>> This could be the most
bizarre football game I've ever
witnessed.
In 31 years of professional
football, both playing and
broadcasting, this thing was
just absolutely bizarre.
>> It's the difference in the
franchises.
Arizona can't win.
It doesn't matter whether
they're in Chicago, St. Louis,
or Arizona, the Cardinals don't
win, and the Bears at some point
come up with a miracle that
leads you back on this path to
1985.
It does.
It brings you back there again.
>> In the history of the NFL,
it's the greatest deficit
overcome to get a team to
undefeated, 6 wins and beyond.
>> Matt Leinart will get this
franchise winning.
>> An amazing win for the
Chicago Bears tonight.
>> Look at Leinart walk off the
field.
>> So, the new Bears, who have
all this offense -- when the
money's down, it becomes the
Bears defense does it.
Two defensive scores, the
special-teams' return by
Devin Hester, and the
Arizona Cardinals are 1-5.
