Chicago Bears Claim NFC North Title, Vikings (Video)
Hester makes history as Bears claim NFC North title
Although the snow was blown off the field, Minnesota couldn’t escape Chicago’s avalanche. Brett Favre’s disappointments continued last night as the Bears thwarted Vikings 40-14 at the TCF Stadium to claim their third NFC North Division. Not only did the Bears win, but Devin Hester provided his 14th touchdown to bring team’s third North title, first in the last four years. Hester’s 64-yarder snatched applauds of the entire stadium. The Bears kept their sheet clean in the second and fourth quarters to allow just seven points in each of the first and third periods. Favre ended with another injury, a concussion that might end even his career. He would end his 281-consecutive-game streak two weeks ago due to shoulder injury. He could barely watch yesterday as the Vikings lost.
Back to the Bears, Hester made history at the right time. He just surpassed Brian Mitchell record of 13 touchdowns. Dante Hall and Eric Metcalf sit third and fourth in the short table. They both have 12 touchdowns. Cutler ended with 14 of 24 for 194 yards, had one interception and threw for three touchdowns. On the other side, Favre had 5 of 7 for 63 yards to throw for one touchdown. Chicago had a very good start of the game to edge Minnesota 10-7. Things started to look better for the visitors, the Bears claiming the second period with 7-0. They would start the second half with a ten-point advantage.
The break didn’t help Minnesota too much as Chicago rallied through the third quarter to end it with a 13-point advantage, 20-7. And things looked clear. Minnesota lost their pace, while Chicago didn’t struggle for more. They claimed the last round 3-0. Said Cutler: “By no means are we completely satisfied. We know we can be so much better offensively.”
Hester, who needed 73 games to break Mitchell’s record, looked twice happier than his team-mates although he ties Eric Metcalf for the best record in history. “Coming out of college, coaches told me I wasn’t gonna be nothing but a kickoff and punt return dude. I wasn’t gonna ever earn a position in the league. I’m glad that they said that because right now, I can say today that Chicago Bears are the best punt return team that would ever do this.”
The NFC North was created eight years ago and this is practically Chicago’s third success. They also claimed it in 2005 and 2006. Packers won four such trophies (2002, 2003, 2004 and 2007) and Vikings two (2008 and 2009). Thus, they couldn’t defend their title against Bears on Monday. Chicago has eight NFL Championships titles and one Super Bowl. The victory against Minnesota means their tenth of the season, sixth away. On contrast, Vikings drop to a 5-9 record, 4-4 home.
