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NFL SCOREBOARD: Recap
Recap | Box Score | This Week's Scoreboard
Chicago 31, Atlanta 3
Posted: Sunday October 07, 2001 08:53 PM
Chicago Bears
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Atlanta Falcons
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ATLANTA (Ticker) -- The Chicago Bears conjured up memories of Buddy Ryan's Super Bowl defense in 1985.

With middle linebacker Brian Urlacher leading the way, the Bears forced five turnovers and recorded seven sacks en route to a 31-3 victory over the Atlanta Falcons.

While the defense dominated, receiver Marty Booker sparked the offense with a 34-yard scoring pass to Marcus Robinson in the first half and a 63-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter for the Bears (2-1).

A Pro Bowler and the team's leading tackler as a rookie last season, Urlacher is the centerpiece of the Bears' defense. On Sunday, he returned a fumble 90 yards for a touchdown, recorded an interception and forced a fumble, figuring in three of the turnovers.

"Overall, we knew our assignments and executed," Urlacher said. "It was a bit crazy out there today but it worked out good for us. We were able to take their turnovers and turn them into points for us."

"The big thing was turnovers," said Bears safety Tony Parrish, who had seven tackles and a 26-yard interception return. "We had sacks, we had pressures, we forced Chandler out of the game. We knew what was coming at us all day."

The Falcons (2-2) played their first game without leading rusher Jamal Anderson, who suffered a season-ending torn ACL last week, and lost quarterback Chris Chandler late in the first half due to a concussion.

Rookie Michael Vick, the top pick in the 2001 draft, replaced Chandler and electrified the crowd with his running. But he was only able to engineer one scoring drive in the fourth quarter and fumbled after being hit by defensive end Phillip Daniels, resulting in Urlacher's touchdown.

Vick completed 12-of-18 passes for 186 yards and ran for 23 yards on four carries. Chandler was intercepted three times in the first half and was 7-of-12 for 75 yards.

"Chris went down and I had to go in there and play," Vick said. "Sometimes it comes as a surprise, but you have to be ready. Compared to the past weeks when I had my script, I knew I was going to get a specific amount of playing time. Today was something totally different."

Booker, a third-year receiver from Northwest Louisiana, has been Chicago's surprise player this season with 18 catches for 144 yards in the first two games. On Sunday, he took a lateral from quarterback Jim Miller and lofted a 34-yard touchdown pass down the right sideline to Robinson for the first score of the game with 1:54 left in the second quarter.

Paul Edinger kicked a 42-yard field goal on the final play of the half to increase the lead to 10-0.

After a scoreless third quarter, Booker shook off a bump by nickel back Darrick Vaughn and turned a short pass over the middle into a 63-yard touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter.

Urlacher's return opened the lead to 24-0 with 8:56 remaining.

The Bears were bidding for their first shutout since they victimized Atlanta on October 3, 1993, but Jay Feely kicked a 44-yard field goal for the Falcons with 4:10 left.

Rookie Anthony Thomas scored on a 32-yard run 12 seconds later to complete the rout.

"This is a great win for us on the road," Bears coach Dick Jauron said. "I thought the breaks went our way. We got bounces we haven't gotten in the last two years. I was satisfied for our players."

Maurice Smith, a second-year player from North Carolina A&T, started his first game and rushed for 71 yards on 17 carries. Last week, he rushed for 80 yards on 21 carries.

"Things will work out," Smith said. "We just have to believe in each other. I think more than anything it humbles you. It brings you down to earth."

Miller made his first start of the season for the Bears and completed 17-of-26 passes for 196 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions. Robinson had nine catches for 114 yards.

Jauron went for the trick play and it worked. When Booker took the lateral from Miller, Falcons cornerback Ray Buchanan froze and Robinson ran past him down the right sideline and caught the long touchdown.

"We were hoping that would be open," Booker said. "Marcus broke open and I just tried to get it there. Marcus is such a good receiver that if I put in near him, he'll make a play on the ball. It worked out pretty good."

Edinger, who earlier missed a 48-yard field goal, converted a 42-yarder on the last play of the half. Parrish intercepted a pass by Chandler and returned it 26 yards to the Atlanta 26 to set up the field goal.

Chandler did not return in the second half.

"Apparently, Chris has a slight concussion," Falcons coach Dan Reeves said. "It happened early but we didn't find out until we went in at halftime."

Miller's touchdown pass to Booker came after cornerback Walt Harris recovered a fumble by rookie tight end Alge Crumpler at the Atlanta 35.

Vick drove the Falcons to the Chicago 3 after hitting fullback Bob Christian with a 14-yard pass, but Vick had the ball knocked away as he was being sacked by Daniels and it bounced to Urlacher, who raced 90 yards for a score.

"I should have just tried to get the ball away," Vick said. "Our guys were covered. I tried to make something happen. Sometimes it hurts when you try to make too much happen. That's one play I definitely learned from. You can't do that. The guys on this level are much faster. Sometimes you can't get away."


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