Bears' march to Super Bowl XLI

0 Days until Super Bowl XLI at Dolphin Stadium in Miami.

Game line: Colts by 7.

Over/under: 48.

Light rain expected in the evening, with temperatures in the mid- to high 60s. Wind ESE at 10 mph. Chance of rain: 60 percent.

As the somewhat regular writer of the "March to Miami," I can say the palm tree on the cover of the Sun-Times looked awfully sad doubled over after the Dolphins came to Soldier Field on Nov. 5 and dismantled the Bears, ending their bid for a perfect season.

But it didn't look as bad as "Monday Night Football" play-by-play rookie Mike Tirico, who ripped into the newspaper during the game Oct. 16 at Arizona before the Bears mounted one of the most memorable comebacks in the history of prime-time football. Tirico said it was too early for us to count down to Super Bowl XLI. (Left: The first countdown, which we unveiled Oct. 10).

In a week amid the palm trees, one of the most gratifying moments was an ''attaboy'' from the Contra Costa Times' Cam Inman, who gave the March a mention after the NFC title game.

"For the past three months, the Chicago Sun-Times has boldly run a daily feature titled: 'March to Miami: The Bears' Road to Super Bowl XLI.' It's included a countdown to the Feb. 4 finale. In hindsight, the Contra Costa Times should have countered with a daily dose of: 'The Raiders' Road to the No. 1 Overall Draft Pick.'

It takes guile for such a leap of faith.

Brad Biggs