It Turns Into Situation Ditka Just Can’t Bear

Now maybe Mike Ditka will be just another coach, instead of the legend whose shadow the Chicago Bears could never quite escape.

Shane Matthews threw two touchdown passes to Curtis Conway in the last 1:48 Sunday as the Bears overcame what had been their worst offensive effort of the season to beat Ditka and the New Orleans Saints, 14-10.

It’s the first time the Bears (2-2) have beaten Ditka, their coach for 11 years and one Super Bowl championship.

“That’s why I’m talking to you guys now. I don’t have to hear any Ditka questions,” said offensive tackle James “Big Cat” Williams, the only player left from the Ditka era. “Chicago loves Mike Ditka and that’s just the way it is. . . . But you have to move on.”

Beating Ditka and the Saints (1-2) is a good way to start. After Matthews found Conway for a six-yard touchdown pass with seven seconds left, Bear fans, who were booing their team a quarter earlier, were cheering wildly as Ditka threw his headset in disgust.

“It doesn’t feel good when you end up playing a game like that, but to the victor go the spoils and I guess it’s just part of life,” Ditka said. “We didn’t do a very good job when we had a chance.”

After turning the ball over five times in the first 50 minutes--twice inside the New Orleans 15--the Bears regrouped.

Matthews then led the Bears on a 10-play, 79-yard scoring drive that he capped with a 22-yard pass to Conway with 1:48 left.

The Saints (1-2) punted after a pass interference call was waved off, and the Bears started from their 33. Matthews went five for six in the drive, including a 30-yard pass to Conway to the Saint six.

On the next play, Matthews connected with Conway for the game-winner, and the celebration was on.