CHICAGO, Jan. 18 (UPI) -- The Chicago Bears have enjoyed a magical year under Dick Jauron and are back in the playoffs for the first time since 1994 where they face the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday.
It should be a whale of a defensive battle since Chicago and Philadelphia are 1-2 in the NFL in fewest points allowed and high in several other defensive categories.
The Bears are a major surprise, going 12-3 this season after compiling a 19-45 mark over the past four years, and capturing the NFC Central title.
The Eagles (12-5) are led by their electrifying quarterback Donovan McNabb, a former Chicago high school star who grew up a Bears fan.
McNabb will have to contend with a Bears defense that allowed 203 points this season and features Pro Bowl middle linebacker Brian Urlacher, who has brought back memories of the legendary Dick Butkus and Mike Singletary.
Urlacher has plenty of help in front of him as the Bears feature defensive tackles Ted Washington and Keith Traylor, who weigh acombined 634 pounds. Sparked by that duo, the Bears ranked first in the NFC and second overall in rushing defense.
The Bears' secondary also is strong led by safety Mike Brown, who had two interception returns for touchdowns this season that won games for Chicago.
Philadelphia, which features four Pro Bowlers on defense, was second in the league in fewest points allowed, just five behind the Bears. The Eagles surrendered just four touchdowns and 64 points while going 7-1 on the road.
The Eagles defense has gone 33 straight games, allowing 24 points or fewer. It is the longest streak since the Minnesota Vikings held their opponents under 24 points in 41 straight contests from 1968-71.
Free safety Brian Dawkins and fellow Pro Bowler cornerback Troy Vincent anchor the Eagles secondary, which ranked second in the NFL against the pass.
Sparked by their defense and McNabb, the Eagles advanced to face the Bears by rolling to a 21-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild card round last Saturday.
Safety Damon Moore had two of the Eagles' four interceptions,including one that he returned 59 yards for a score while McNabb completed 16-of-25 passes for 194 yards and two touchdowns.
Jim Miller, who became the Bears' starting quarterback only after an injury to Shane Matthews early in the season, passed for 2,299 yards this season with 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Miller has been complemented by rookie second-round pick Anthony Thomas, who rushed for 1,183 yards and seven touchdowns in just 14 games. Thomas will certainly test an Eagles defense that ranked 18th in the league against the run this season.
But, in the victory over Tampa Bay, the Eagles' front limited Mike Alstott and Warrick Dunn to a combined 61 yards on 23 carries.
It is almost a certainty that Miller will come under pressure from the blitz-happy Eagles. But he's well protected as Chicago allowed an NFL-low 17 sacks.
Philadelphia has beaten the Bears each of the last two seasons, including a 20-16 victory here in October 1999 that snapped an 0-17-1 slide on the road. But that is the Eagles' only win in
Chicago in 16 games. Overall, Chicago leads the series 26-7-1.
The Eagles, who lost to the New York Giants in the divisional round last season, have not been to the NFC championship game since 1981. Chicago last played in the NFC title game in 1989.
