5:50 P.M. CST: I can’t help but think of the words of Bill Murray, a noted Chicago sports fan, during one of the closing scenes of Tootsie after Dustin Hoffman’s character reveals himself after going in drag the entire movie: “That is one … nutty … hospital.” To paraphrase, this is one nutty game.
5:51 P.M. CST: Broncos continuing to move … now at the Denver 34.
5:52 P.M. CST: The security blanket is smothering the Bears … A great 41-yard reception by Tony Scheffler takes him to 68 yards on four catches … moves the Broncos to the Chicago 25.
5:53 P.M. CST: Timeout, Denver … 12:08 on the clock.
5:55 P.M. CST: Brandon Marshall still having some trouble with the footing … he slips while cutting upfield, but his seven-yard catch-and-run has the Broncos at the Chicago 14 for the first down.
5:57 P.M. CST: Unbelievable … both Mannings — Ricky Jr. and Danieal — were entangled with Scheffler as a Cutler pass came into the end zone … somehow, Scheffler makes the grab by using his body to snag the pass before the football hits the ground … touchdown, Broncos.
5:59 P.M. CST: Best news of all for the Broncos on the play? The fact that Lance Briggs kicked the football, good for an unsportsmanlike conduct foul that will allow Todd Sauerbrun to kick off from the Denver 45.
6 P.M. CST: Video boards here showing Devin Hester’s previous kickoff return to try and fire up the crowd.
6:02 P.M. CST: Hester standing in the back of the end zone … something tells me that unless this ball goes out of the end zone, No. 23 is running it back.
6:03 P.M. CST: And … Sauerbrun kicks it away from Hester and not to the end zone. Bears take over at their 28.
6:05 P.M. CST: Tim Crowder now has four sacks in three games … He slams into Rex Grossman as the quarterback steps forward and out of the pocket … Ian Gold recovers, and the exodus has begun with some spectators streaming down the aisles and to the exits.
6:06 P.M. CST: Well, that pitchout didn’t work … and Hall loses eight yards after getting the ball with Mark Anderson bearing down upon him … Hall is now back below 100 yards, at 96.
6:09 P.M. CST: After a three-and-out, the Broncos’ special-teams issues continue, as Todd Sauerbrun’s punt is blocked by Charles Tillman … Brandon McGowan is among a pack of Bears that eventually flag down the football back at the Denver 18 … The exodus in the stands stops, and the fans are on their feet.
6:11 P.M. CST: Bears now at the 4-yard-line after John Gilmore slips and falls after receiving a pass … Clock now under six minutes.
6:12 P.M. CST: Adrian Peterson was swarmed … but he powered through a high tide of Broncos, refusing to hit the ground and eventually moving the scrum into the end zone … touchdown, Bears … 5:17 left, and Denver’s lead is just 34-27.
6:16 P.M. CST: Broncos will take over at their 30.
6:18 P.M. CST: There’s one first down … Broncos now at their 42 … Clock about to go under four minutes.
6:19 P.M. CST: Not much room available on the ground right now … Broncos now have third-and-10 after both Andre Hall and Cecil Sapp can’t find much room … Bears have used two timeouts this series.
6:22 P.M. CST: Cutler playfaked to Cecil Sapp on third-and-10 … Jay Cutler was promptly sacked by Adewale Ogunleye … Clock continuing to run; Bears will conserve their remaining timeout … Denver calls timeout with 3:07 left; the Broncos are now out of timeouts.
6:24 P.M. CST: Hester had trouble fielding the punt … Chicago manages to recover with 2:58 left. Bears take over at their 35.
6:26 P.M. CST: Third-and-10 now … Grossman’s pass for Greg Olsen pass goes incomplete … Bears with one timeout and 2:42 left … They have to go for it, you’d reckon.
6:27 P.M. CST: Fourth down fails … but it doesn’t matter … illegal contact on Dre’ Bly for shoving Muhsin Muhammad … five yards and a first down … Bly was flagged for shoving Muhammad as he ran his route … potentially a killer penalty.
6:31 P.M. CST: Rashied Davis with the reception …2 1 yards and the Bears are at the 31 … Now inside the 20 after a pass to Muhammad … Clock is no longer a factor now … So the Bears run… Adrian Peterson runs to the 7-yard-line.
6:32 P.M. CST: Clock continuing to run … Bears now at the 3-yard-line … Chicago calls timeout with 36 seconds left … They are out of timeouts … Bears now in third-and-goal at the 3.
6:33 P.M. CST: Grossman for Bernard Berrian with Karl Paymah all over him … incomplete.
6:34 P.M. CST: Touchdown, bears … Berrian makes the grab in the right corner of the end zone … Berrian got the grab in front of Champ Bailey …. he got one knee down, but it looked as though his elbow was out of bounds. It’s being replayed.
6:37 P.M. CST: Touchdown. Soldier Field explodes. The Broncos have lost a 14-point lead in the final five minutes.
6:39 P.M. CST: Broncos get the ball at their 33 with 21 seconds left … They have no timeouts remaining.
6:40 P.M. CST: Cecil Sapp runs for 12 yards and a first down … Broncos spike it with four seconds remaining … False start … Ten-second clock runoff … overtime.
6:42 P.M. CST: Broncos call heads … and the toss comes up tails. Chicago will receive.
6:44 P.M. CST: A squibber — or “worm burner” as Dan Dierdorf repeatedly calls it — is returned by Devin Hester just four yards to the Chicago 24. Broncos desperately need a stop.
6:45 P.M. CST: Desmond Clark got behind the entire Denver defense … Chicago in field-goal range now with one play … at the Denver 37.
6:47 P.M. CST: Bears now at the Broncos 25, keeping it on the ground.
6:48 P.M. CST: Five-yard holding penalty on Alvin McKinley … Bears now at the Chicago 20 with a first down.
6:50 P.M. CST: Bears calling on Robbie Gould on second down … It will be a 39-yard attempt … it’s good; game over.
