Three turnovers and nine penalties helped sink the Bears in Sunday night's 21-14 loss.
Three of those penalties came on the final Bears drive as they tried to tie the game.
Bears RB Matt Forte fumbled on consecutive third quarter plays on the Falcons one-yard line, which comes as a surprise as he only fumbled once during his entire rookie season.
David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune writes that if the Bears were any more charitable in handing the game to the Falcons, they could write off the road trip as a tax deduction.
LB Pisa Tinoisamoa, playing for the first time since opening night, was carted off after re-injuring his right knee.
Said Falcons coach Mike Smith, "Our guys just kept fighting and fighting. There was no quitting in that group of men tonight."
S Thomas DeCoud intercepted Bears QB Jay Cutler twice in the first half to end drives on the Falcons' side of the field.
Falcons DT Jonathan Babineaux had a forced fumble, a half-sack, a pass deflection and two quarterback hurries on a busy night of work.
The Falcons defense credited veteran LB Mike Peterson's leadership with helping them hold on for the victory.
The Falcons are now 10-1 in the Georgia Dome since Smith became their head coach.
For more on the Bears and Falcons, Mike Florio has the full Morning Aftermath right here.
Bears-Falcons one-liners
Posted by Josh Alper on October 19, 2009 11:26 AM ET
wow
jay cutler gives another guy his first career interceptions. the gift that keeps on giving
Trade for Carlos Rogers!
Nice trade for Cutler that was. Keep up the good work Chicago..
And to think I picked them to win the division.. OUCH.