NEWSLETTER
The Bears head to Atlanta this weekend to take on the Falcons on the road for the first time since 2020 and have won three of their last four against the Falcons and six of their last nine dating back to 2001.
With Justin Fields making his return to the Atlanta area where he grew up just two weeks removed from breaking Mike Vick’s single-game rushing record for quarterbacks, we’re reminded of Mike Vick’s first real taste of NFL action, which coincidentally came against the Bears in Week 3 of the 2001 season.
Fields was just two years old when Vick entered the game for a concussed Chris Chandler — who was the top-rated passer in the NFL at the time — and was tasked with overcoming a 10-point deficit against a very good Bears defense.
Vick completed 12-of-18 passes for 186 yards and no touchdowns and ran for just 18 yards on five carries while being sacked five times in his “welcome to the NFL, kid” experience.
“I was put in a tough situation,” Vick said after the game, via ESPN. “That’s what I’m here for. I’ve got to get out there and experience times like this.”
With Chandler out, Jamal Anderson out, and a turnover-crazed defense feasting on a young Mike Vick, the Bears turned three interceptions and two fumble recoveries into a dominating 31-3 victory in the Georgia Dome.
Former Bears quarterback and current analyst Jim Miller hooked up with Marty Booker for a 63-yard touchdown pass, and Marty Booker threw a 34-yard touchdown pass of his own to Marcus Robinson. Anthony Thomas added a 32-yard touchdown run, and Brian Urlacher had a 90-yard scoop and score on a Vick Fumble inside the Falcons’ red zone as the Bears cruised.
You can catch the Chris Berman narration of the highlight package from this game here:
