It’s not every weekend that one gets to attend Monday Night Football after attending an NFL game on Sunday. But that is what happened this weekend. At the beginning of the NFL season, I knew the Chicago Bears were playing on the Monday night after Christmas. I also knew the San Francisco 49ers were home Sunday afternoon where Nicole and I were planning to spend the holiday. Thus, in order to attend both games, I booked a 6:50 am flight from Oakland to Chicago on Southwest Airlines.

Our flight landed in Chicago at 1:00 pm. By the time we collected our bags from baggage claim, caught the shuttle to the parking lot and drove home it was close to 3:00 pm. Even though the parking lots at Soldier Field opened at 3:30 pm, Bears Tailgater Rob was not planning to arrive until 4:15 pm. This delay allowed me to shower and get ready for the game before taking the subway to Soldier Field.

Tailgating
Bears Tailgater Rob was not hosting the tailgate this week as he has in the past. This was his brother-in-law’s game to host – meaning rather than paying Rob as we usually do we had to bring beer and food.

I was attending the game with Blackhawks Jimmy Jr., so I asked him to pick up the goods since I was running late. I now realize why paying Rob is a much better option than brining food and drinks to the tailgate – lugging a case of beer from the Roosevelt train station to the South Lot is a pain. We probably should have gotten off the train at Monroe and walked to the free shuttles at the Millennium Parking Garage. But, by the time I thought of it, it was too late.

This was definitely the coldest Bears game where I have tailgated. Luckily, Blackhawks Jimmy Jr. (his mom gave them to him) brought hand warmers we could use during the tailgate and throughout the game.

Monday Night Football after Sunday Football
This was the sixth time I have attended Monday Night Football after attending an NFL game on Sunday. The other five times were:

Sunday, September 15, 1996: Cardinals at Patriots
Monday, September 16, 1996: Bills at Steelers

Sunday, January 6, 2002: Jaguars at Bears
Monday, January 7, 2002: Vikings at Ravens

Sunday, November 24, 2002: Lions at Bears
Monday, November, 25, 2002: Eagles at 49ers

Sunday, December 22, 2002: Titans at Jaguars
Monday, December 23, 2002: Steelers at Buccaneers

Sunday, September 7, 2008: Cardinals at 49ers
Monday, September 8, 2008: Broncos at Raiders

The Game
Rather than sit in our cold seats in the upper deck, we managed to sneak into the media deck. The media deck has heaters above the concourse near the concession stands, so we decided to stand most of the game while staying warm.

Once again the Vikings and Bears put on a show at Soldier Field. Last year, the Bears defeated the Vikings 48-41 in the highest scoring NFL game I have ever attended.

This year the two teams combined for 66 points as the Bears defeated the Vikings 36-30 in OT. Brett Favre forced overtime as he competed a touchdown pass to Sidney Rice with 16 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.

For a moment in overtime I thought I might see my first NFL tie. Robbie Gould missed a 45 yard field goal and the two teams traded punts. However, On Minnesota’s ensuing drive Adrian Peterson fumbled as Nick Roach recovered for the Bears on the Vikings 39 yard line. On the next play Jay Cutler hit Devin Aromashodu for the game winning 39 yard touchdown – Cutler’s fourth touchdown pass on the day.