The Chicago Bears started off Superbowl XLI by giving it it's first ever opening kickoff touchdown return. Dominating 14 seconds into the game and scoring before the first play was even snapped, they put the Indianapolis Colts at a 7-0 disadvantage. Two more minutes into the game and best defensive line in the NFC rattled Manning with an interception. The first quarter had smiled upon the Bears and left them with a 14-6 advantage. Then, Manning and the Colts defense found their footing and the Bear's quarterback, Rex Grossman lost his.

   In the next three quarters the Colts dominated the Bears. By the end of the first half, the Colts had taken a 16-14 lead and had not allowed the Bears to score in the 2nd quarter. The 3rd quarter defined the rest of the game. The Colts were the first to score and they continued their monopoly of offense time. Which, might have been a blessing for the Bears because what they accomplished during their small windows of offensive time only validated their harshest critics.  Grossman was sacked back to back, losing 11 yards on both incidents. Sloppy and forced throws had allowed the Bears to fall even further behind. By the 4th quarter, the Bears, much admired for their defense, were completely ineffective on offense and the Colts much maligned defensive line, played as if they were the highest rated in the NFL. Though there was still more than half a quarter to go, a thrown interception by Grossman ended the hope for the Bears. And the title, "the first Superbowl game won by an African American head coach" was given to Tony Dungy as the Colts galloped to a 29-17 victory.

    Superbowl XLI, aside from all its record firsts, will be remembered as "Manning's Superbowl" and it is fitting; because the moral of that game seems to be that no matter how great your defense, it's the offense that wins and loses the championship.  

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