Last year the Chicago had the chance to win in Atlanta. On Sunday night they could have won.

But instead they lost both games.

The Bears made three critical errors inside the red zone, and Atlanta was able to hold on and get a 21-14 win. The game will be remembered for a series of gritty defensive stands and all the opportunities that the Bears missed.

At Atlanta’s 9 yard line, Jay Cutler got intercepted. On two runs in a row from the one yard line, Matt Forte fumbled. On the second fumble Atlanta recovered the football. On the Bear’s last opportunity, with less than one minute left in the game on fourth down and one at the five yard line, Orlando Pace moved ahead of the snap and the Bears didn’t convert.

Lovie Smith, Chicago’s coach said, we had lots of chances to win the game. You just can’t make those mistakes. When you’ve got the ball into the red zone, you have to get points.

The winning touchdown was scored by Michael Turner on a five yard run with three minutes left in the game. But what really gave the 4-1 Falcons the win and their best first five games in franchise history was their defense that bent but didn’t break and all of the errors from Chicago.

Matt Ryan, Atlanta’s quarterback said, our defense deserves some credit. Ryan threw two passes for touchdowns but had two interceptions as well. The guys really stepped up and were able to make the plays when we really needed it.

It was the second straight year the Falcons and Bears played in a thriller. Last year it appeared that Chicago (3-2) had pull an improbable win out on a touchdown with just 11 seconds to go in the game. However they blew the game when they went for a pooch kick and then gave up a long pass which set Jason Elam up on the last play of the game to kick the winning field goal.

In this game Chicago didn’t get a chance for a comeback. Cutler lead the Bears down field with his 300 yard, season high passing night. A questionable pass interference penalty against Curtis Lofton gave Chicago the first down and the ball at Atlanta’s 14 yard line. Then two Bear penalties made it third down and twenty five. Cutler connected with Earl Bennet with a pass up the middle for a gain of 24 yards.

On fourth down the Bears needed only 3 feet. To set up the play they called a time out. However, Pace took off before the snap, which left Chicago with a fourth down and six. The last pass from Cutler, over the middle to Desmond Clark, bounced off Clark’s arm as he was being defended by Erik Coleman, preserving the Falcon’s lead with just 29 seconds left to play.

Coleman said, I broke and stumbled a bit. Cutler’s pass was a bit high. Then we got off the field. With games like this you just need to stay positive and have trust in your teammates.

It appeared that Greg Olsen was open in the end zone, however Cutler didn’t spot him.

The winning touchdown for Atlanta was set up with a kickoff return of 62 yards by Eric Weems. From there Tony Gonzalez and Ryan took over, connecting on two big pass plays. Turner then finished the drive off from the five yard line. He cut to his right and then lightly bumped into his teammate Verron Haynes before scoring.

Turner, who last season was the NFL’s second leading rusher, completed the game with only 30 yards in 13 carries. After scoring, to help shake the frustration off, he flung the football up into the air.

Ryan said, the offensive line gave me enough time for getting the ball away. Then Michael Turner did his thing. Our offensive line gave a great push, then Turner paved his own way.

The Bears let too many opportunities slip away. They only scored once out of four possessions when they were inside Atlanta’s 20 yard line. On a bad pass up the middle Cutler was intercepted early by Thomas DeCoud. During the third quarter, with the Bears inside the one yard line with first and goal, Forte blew it.

He tried leaping over the pile but fumbled. Fortunately he was able to recover the ball. Forte, on the next play, went left and encountered Jonathan Babinexu who led with his helmet and sent the football flying once again. Only this time the ball was recovered by Coy Wire, a Falcon, denying the Bears the opportunity to tie the game.

Chicago lost the game despite out gaining Atlanta in total yards 373-253. Cutler went 27 for 43. He connected on a touchdown pass of 23 yards with Johnny Knox to give the Bears a 7-0 lead as well as a two yard pass to Olsen to tie the score with six minutes left. Cutler was also Chicago’s leading rusher with 34 yards. However his two interceptions, which were both picked by DeCoud and were his first two career interceptions, marred Cutler’s performance.

Ryan also threw two touch down passes. One was a short pass over to Roddy White who made it into a touchdown play of 40 yards. The other was a 10 yard touchdown pass to Gonzales, giving Atlanta a halftime lead of 14-7. Ryan also had two interceptions. The second one with ten minutes left in the game was a tipped ball which gave the Bears another chance.

Cutler led Chicago on a 92 yard eight play drive to tie the game. He started things off with a quarterback scramble of 30 yards. He then connected for a 17 yard completion to Devin Hester. Chris Houston then incurred a 23 yard pass interference penalty.

For the fifth time in the 44 year history of the franchise, Atlanta is 4-1. 2004 was the last time it happened when they won an NFC South title under the leadership of Michael Vick. Right now the Falcons are trying to keep up with the red hot 5-0 New Orleans Saints, who still lead the division after beating the formerly undefeated New York Giants 48-27.

Both Chicago and Atlanta go hard hit with injuries. Atlanta lost Jerious Norwood, running back, with a hip flexor and Brian Williams, cornerback, with a right knee injury. Chicago lost Pisa Tinoisamoa, linebacker, with a knee injury. On special teams, Weems had a great night. He average 39 yards on the three kickoff returns. He also returned a punt for twenty yards. DeCoud, had just one interception in 45 games played at Cal. With his two interceptions against Chicago, the second year player has already surpassed his collegiate interceptions in the NFL.