Falcons Just Can’t Bear Up

The Chicago Bears beat up on quarterbacks Chris Chandler and Michael Vick and made life miserable for Atlanta in its first game without Jamal Anderson.

Wide receiver Marty Booker had a 63-yard touchdown catch and threw for a score to Marcus Robinson as the Bears shut down the Falcons, 31-3, Sunday.

Anderson tore up his left knee last week and is lost for the season for the second time in three years. The Falcons (2-2) played the second half with Vick at quarterback instead of Chandler, who was taken to the hospital with a concussion.

“The loss of Jamal really showed today,” said Maurice Smith, who started at running back in place of Anderson and gained 71 yards in 17 caries. “Jamal was a great leader. Those five guys up front looked at him and knew he was going to be there. It’s a hard job to step into.”

That was the sentiment of Vick, who had to step in for Chandler.

Chandler, the NFL’s top-rated quarterback through Week 3, threw three interceptions in the first half.

He didn’t return after being diagnosed with the concussion--turning a 10-0 deficit over to Vick, who was sacked six times and fumbled twice.

“I was put in a tough situation,” Vick said. “That’s what I’m here for. I’ve got to get out there and experience times like this.”

Linebacker Brian Urlacher returned one of the fumbles 90 yards for a touchdown to help Chicago (2-1) get off to its best start since 1995--the team’s last winning season.

“We got more bounces than we have in the two years I’ve been here,” Bear Coach Dick Jauron said.

The Bears had seven sacks and caused five turnovers, and just missed recording their first shutout since 1993.

“We put in some new stuff this week,” Urlacher said. “It was designed to confuse Chandler, but on Vick it worked even better.”