Bears ready for redemption after loss last season

Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) celebrates after his touchdown during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Chicago ,Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009. Chicago won 48-24.
M. Spencer Green, The Associated Press

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Rested after a much-needed bye, the Chicago Bears had some time to heal over the weekend.

They're a little healthier now after absorbing their share of bumps and bruises in the early going as they head to Atlanta, the site of one of their most painful losses a year ago.

Linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa appears ready to go after tearing the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee against Green Bay. So does receiver Devin Hester after leaving the previous game with a strained muscle in his neck, although middle linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer sat out practice on Monday with a rib injury that sidelined him against the Lions.

Now they'll try to ease that lingering sting from last year's loss at Atlanta, one of several that ultimately helped cost them a playoff spot.

The Bears had gone ahead with 11 seconds left after Kyle Orton found Rashied Davis in the corner of the end zone and Robbie Gould kicked the extra point. Then, in a flash, the Falcons erupted in a playoff-like celebration after Jason Elam's field goal gave them a 22-20 victory.

"We still talk about it, 11 seconds on the clock and how we lost that game," Hester said Monday. "On this Sunday, we don't want to have that feeling again when we walk off the field."

"With 11 seconds in the game, I'd love to have the lead again," defensive end Alex Brown said.

"Their kicker made a heck of a kick," Brown said. "They did some great things at the end of that game. They made the plays they needed to make to win."

When he looks at the video, Brown said the motivation will be education and not revenge. "I want to see how (left tackle) Sam Baker blocked me, how he approached that game, and I want to see what I can do to try to beat him this time," Brown said. "I know they'll change some things, but that's what I want to see. I want to see the schemes that they ran last year."

And he wants to see a different result.