updated 8:26 p.m. ET Jan. 21, 2007

CHICAGO - Maybe Reggie Bush’s taunts fired up the Chicago Bears’ defense.

One moment, the New Orleans rookie was taunting Brian Urlacher on the way to the end zone. Then, the Bears clamped down to advance to their first Super Bowl in 21 years, beating the New Orleans Saints 39-14 in Sunday’s NFC championship game.

Urlacher finally is playing for a championship.

“We gave up some big plays,” said Urlacher, a six-time Pro Bowl selection. “But we never put our heads down.”

The Bears followed their traditional blueprint to get to the Super Bowl — combining a solid running game and big defensive plays.

Nathan Vasher had an interception. Adewale Ogunleye, Mark Anderson and Israel Idonije each had a sack, and Urlacher was in on four tackles.

With Chicago up 16-7, the Saints took over at the 7 after the Bears punted on the third quarter’s opening possession.

That’s when the game got interesting.

On the second play, New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees connected with Reggie Bush for an 88-yard touchdown pass that made it a two-point game. Bush beat Chris Harris at the line, caught the ball along the left side and faked out Danieal Manning before crossing the field. Bush outran the speedy Urlacher, then pointed back at the middle linebacker before flipping across the goal line.

Urlacher brushed off the taunting, saying, “What did he do? I think we’re going to the Super Bowl.”

Bush said he allowed his emotions “to get the best of me” and apologized to his coach, Sean Payton.

“Obviously, I know I made a mistake, but I’m not going to kill myself over it,” Bush said.

A play that could have been a turning point for New Orleans instead was just an aberration. The Bears’ defense, however, was true to form and took over.

The Saints had the ball on their 5 when Brees, with Lance Briggs bearing down, was called for intentional grounding in the end zone. That resulted in a safety that made it 18-14 with 5:32 left in the third.

SAINTS AT BEARS      Chicago 39, New Orleans 14 Bears ride defense to NFC title Chicago’s defense returns to form Grossman pulls through for Bears Opinion: Bears give Smith a historic victory Bush gives Saints hope for future Saints fans lament end of dream season Notebook: Bears’ new turf no match for cold Colts heavy favorites over Bears in Vegas Playoff schedule |   Discussion boards

With the score 25-14 early in the fourth, the Bears’ Ogunleye sacked Brees and recovered a fumble at the Bears 26. Cedric Benson ran it in from the 12, leapfrogging a defender on the way, to make it 32-14.

Vasher then intercepted Brees.

“That’s the thing with turnovers, dropped passes and touchdowns — they come in bunches,” Vasher said. “You’ve got to be able to capitalize when they’re there.”

Slide show   Week in Sports Tennis swings, cattle wrestlers, a family golf celebration, and more more photos

The Bears, who had four takeaways Sunday, led the league with 44 during the regular season — 39 in the first 12 games. Chicago’s defense was ranked No. 1 before slipping to fifth late in the season.

MORE FROM NFL

NFL Section Front

McCarthy remains firm: Rodgers the starter Jets fans mixed when it comes to Favre Report: Jets can talk to Favre Opinion: If Packers were smart, they'd trade Favre No distractions from T.O. at Cowboys camp Saints' McAllister to get MRI on knee Eagles' Samuel out with strained hamstring Manning misses another day at training camp Patriots sign ex-Raiders RB Jordan Vikings' Jackson takes the Favre talk in stride NFL Section Front   Add NFL headlines to your news reader: