HISTORY
Founded as the Decatur Staleys of the APFA in 1920, then played one year as the Chicago Staleys in 1921. Joined the NFL and changed name to Bears in 1922.

CHAMPIONSHIP SUMMARY
League Championships: 9 - 1921 (AFPA), 1932 (NFL), 1933 (NFL), 1940 (NFL), 1941 (NFL), 1943 (NFL), 1946 (NFL), 1963 (NFL), 1985 (Super Bowl)

Conference Championships: 3 - 1956 (WFC), 1963 (WFC), 1985 (NFC)

Division Championships: 16 - 1933 (NFL West), 1934 (NFL West), 1937 (NFL West), 1940 (NFL West), 1941 (NFL West), 1942 (NFL West), 1943 (NFL West), 1946 (NFL West), 1984 (NFC Central), 1985 (NFC Central), 1986 (NFC Central), 1987 (NFC Central), 1988 (NFC Central), 1990 (NFC Central), 2001 (NFC Central), 2005 (NFC North)

Playoff Appearances: 24 - 1932, 1933, 1934, 1937, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1946, 1950, 1956, 1963, 1977, 1979, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1994, 2001, 2005

2005 Finish: 11-5, 1 st Place NFC North

2006 PREVIEW

This team was the biggest surprise in the NFL last season, but in actuality they took advantage of the weakest division in football. The Bears do have an overpowering defense, but their offense is totally inept. Still, the NFC North is very weak again this year, and the Chicago defense is good enough to dominate division rivals yet again. The result should be just like last year, that being a division title followed by a quick exit from the playoffs.

Despite all of their offensive struggles, the Bears drafted five defensive players in the first five rounds. Huh? Granted second round pick Devin Hester was a wide receiver at Miami, but Chicago plans to play him at cornerback. The only notable veteran addition to the offense is quarterback Brian Griese, and while he is quite capable, he is not the type of QB that makes the players around him better. Besides he is in a three-way battle with the oft-injured Rex Grossman and young Kyle Orton for the starting job. The Bears do return running back Thomas Jones, who was their best offensive player last season rushing for 1335 yards on 4.3 yards per carry with nine touchdowns. They also have nice insurance at RB in Adrian Peterson, who averaged 5.1 yards per carry in 2005. However the receiving corps is weak, which should have a trickling effect on the offense.

But oh that defense! Led by their heart and soul Brian Urlacher, the Bears rankled 2 nd in the NFL in total defense last year and first in fewest points allowed. Moreover this unit may actually be improved if a couple of their top draft picks have an immediate impact, as Chicago lost no one of note in the off season. The Bears should go either 6-0 or 5-1 inside the division because of this unit alone, and that should pave the way to a successful defense of their division title.

2006 Prediction: 1 st Place NFC North