No perfect season

Best bite: Take heart, North Siders. The Cubs scored more runs Sunday than the Bears scored points. That's some sort of moral victory, right?

Worst bite: The Bears' err-prone performance wasn't much different from the team's last regulation game. Only this time, Prince wasn't there to console me with a half-time serenade of "Purple Rain."

Saddest bite: Safety Mike Brown's voice cracked with emotion as he told reporters his knee injury could spell the end of his career. "It's just life," he said, before losing his composure and walking away. "It's just life."

So-so bite: Rex Grossman didn't do anything to cause the Bears to lose. Unfortunately, he didn't do anything to help them win, either.

Tit-for-tat bite: The Bears' defense held reigning NFL MVP LaDainian Tomlinson to 25 yards. The Chargers returned the favor by keeping superstar kick returner Devin Hester to 29 yards.

Optimistic bite: Head coach Lovie Smith didn't seem panicked during his postgame news conference. "Right now there's one goal we can't accomplish: We can't go undefeated," he said. "We'll go from there."

Mean bite: A little insensitive of the FOX crew to keep promoting the World Series -- especially since neither Chicago team will be playing in it this year.

Sound bite: Grossman refused to throw teammate Bernard Berrian under the bus for a goal-line interception. "It was unfortunate," Grossman said of the play. "Let's just say that."

Sour bite: FOX announcer Joe Buck questioned how gutsy the Bears could be on offense. As if starting Rex Grossman every week isn't a courageous decision.

Questionable bite: Is it wrong to be more excited about the return of "Prison Break" than the upcoming Bears season?

Groovy bite: No one will be asking him to join "Dancing with the Stars," but defensive coordinator Bob Babich's celebration jig was the most entertaining moment of the first half.

Child bite: After a curious red-zone turnover, Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers threw a tantrum that would have done any 3-year-old proud. For several moments, he looked like only a sippy cup and his woobie would calm him down.

Mistaken bite: I'd like to ridicule Troy Aikman for referring to Bears linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer as "Hillen Huntenmeyer." But there's no joy in mocking the malapropism of a guy who endured 1,048 concussions in a 13-year span.

Desert bite: Sure, the Chargers are a tough AFC opponent. But I have a sinking feeling Dancin' Bob Babich won't be doing the Super Bowl Shuffle on Feb. 3 in Arizona.