The Bears finished their 2002 Monday night appearances as the congenial guest at someone else’s party. They were no trouble whatsoever, and even appeared to lose quarterback Jim Miller for what’s left of the season with a knee injury.
With the veterans of the Miami Dolphins’ undefeated 1972 team on hand for a 30th anniversary evening of honor, the Bears contributed to the festive mood at Pro Player Stadium, falling to 3-10 with a 27-9 loss to the Dolphins, their 10th loss in the last 11 games.
Ricky Williams rushed for 216 yards–the most ever by a Bears opponent–and two touchdowns.
Linebacker Bobbie Howard intercepted a Dolphins pass in the third quarter and returned it to the Miami 36 to set up the Bears’ only points through three periods. The offense ran four plays and gained 2 yards, leaving Paul Edinger to convert a 52-yard field goal with just more than 10 minutes remaining in the third quarter.
Miller was hurt when defensive end Rob Burnett hit his extended left knee after a third-quarter pass.
Miller was wheeled off the field on a stretcher with what initially was reported as a sprained knee. Henry Burris had come into the game for isolated plays to show the Dolphins a different look, but Chris Chandler ran the offense after Miller’s injury.
Miller’s hit was just one of many taken by the Bears, who did not run an offensive play in the Miami end of the field in the first half. They were outgained 293 yards to 37 in the half and managed minus-1 yards passing with Miller netting just 6 yards on 2-for-9 passing and being sacked once for a 7-yard loss. The Bears had just two first downs in the half and did not drive the ball into Miami territory until the final play of the third quarter.
Williams became the third NFL player to gain 200 yards in consecutive NFL games–and he needed less than three quarters to do it. Williams had 119 yards at halftime.
Williams outran safeties Mike Brown and Mike Green for a 63-yard scoring run to give the Dolphins a 21-3 lead in the third quarter. It was Williams’ longest run of his career and the longest against the Bears this season.
The Dolphins rocked the Bears backward with nearly every early offensive and defensive snap and kept it up through one of the most dismal offensive first halves for the Bears all season. The Bears trailed 14-0 at halftime only because of two Miami fumbles inside the Chicago 20 ended scoring chances.
