Bears vs. Vikings: Chicago Clinches NFC North Title After Crushing Minnesota
Published by Brian Marchetti on December 21, 2010
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears marched into TCF Bank Stadium Monday night and claimed the NFC North title after defeating the Minnesota Vikings 40-14.
This game featured a number of stories outside of its playoff implications. All week, players from both teams had voiced concerns regarding the frozen turf, which at game time appeared to meet NFL standards.
Early Monday afternoon, the Vikings announced that legendary gunslinger Brett Favre would start in place of third-string quarterback Joe Webb.
Favre enjoyed early success with short, quick passes, including a 23-yard touchdown pass to Percy Harvin ending the opening drive of the game. His usual arm strength appeared absent when he attempted a deep pass early on that fell considerably short. Favre appeared to shake his hand in pain after the attempt.
The quarterback’s comeback remained short-lived after Bears rookie lineman Corey Wootton earned his first NFL sack halfway through the second quarter. Favre was spun to the ground and his head struck the turf causing a concussion. He did not return.
Despite allowing an opening drive touchdown, the Bears played well in all three phases of the game. The offense moved the ball well mixing run and pass effectively, the defense created turnovers and held the Vikings offense in check, and most notably, Devin Hester set an NFL record with his 14th return for a touchdown.
Hester threatened the record with the opening kickoff of the second half. The windy city flyer sprinted through the Vikings coverage team and was finally brought down at the 6-yard line. A few series later, Hester fielded an angled punt and shot up the field untouched into the end zone.
Devon Hester also contributed on offense with two catches, one resulting in a touchdown. Jay Cutler had an impressive night with three touchdowns and 194 yards. As usual, he had some erratic throws and ended up giving up an interception after under-throwing a ball down the far sideline.
The Bears’ eighth-ranked defense had another dominant performance racking up four sacks, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
Near the end of regulation, the nearly victorious Bears wore the NFC North Championship baseball hats. While the North is won, the season has not ended and wins over the last two opponents—the Jets and Packers respectively—can help the Bears earn a first-round bye in the playoffs.
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