Hester sets return record, Bears clinch NFC North

Devin Hester scores his NFL-record 14th career return touchdown Monday. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/Tribune)

By Fred Mitchell

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Bears will be in the NFL playoffs for the first time in four years after overcoming the challenge of  frigid weather, a slippery field and a Vikings team invigorated initially by the surprise start of quarterback Brett Favre.

Favre would suffer a head injury after being sacked and thrown hard to the turf by rookie Corey Wootton in the first half, Jay Cutler would throw three touchdown passes and Devin Hester would set an NFL record with his 14th career kick return for a touchdown as the Bears rolled 40-14 Monday night at TCF Bank Stadium to clinch the NFC North title.

A Bears team that few predicted would even finish .500 this season improved to 10-4 with games remaining against the Jets on Sunday at Soldier Field and at Green Bay in the season finale. Now the Bears' goals shift to securing home-field advantage in the postseason.

"Big win for us tonight, we're going to celebrate," Bears coach Lovie Smith said. "It's been a while since we've been in this position, to get a chance to put on the shirt and the hat as division champs. But we realize it's just one step."

Vikings rookie Joe Webb relieved Favre, who may have played his final game, pending the ultimate diagnosis of his head injury.

"I knew it was the last home game," Favre said afterward. "This also may seem kind of crazy, but I was looking forward to playing in a blizzard.

"Do I regret playing? Absolutely not. I wish it could've turned out differently, but I gave it a try."

The Bears' defense forced the Vikings into five turnovers on the night.

The highlight of the game was Hester's NFL record-setting 14th career return touchdown, a 64-yard dash off a Vikings' punt in the third quarter. Hester had shared the record with Brian Mitchell.

Hester fielded a line-drive punt from Chris Kluwe and scampered virtually untouched down the sideline for the record. He has returned 10 punts and four kickoffs for TDs in 74 career games, not including a 108-yard return of a missed field goal against the Giants in 2006 and an opening kickoff return for a score in Super Bowl XLI. 

"The return felt great," Hester said of his record-setter. "It's a big load off my back, not only mine but my teammates'. They want this (record) as much as I do. ... We're not going to stop with this ... There are going to be a lot more, I guarantee you that."

The Vikings and Favre had made the early splash. Favre connected on a 23-yard pass to Percy Harvin for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead at the 11:29 mark of the opening period.

Julius Peppers intercepted a Favre pass that was deflected by Henry Melton. That set the Bears up at the Vikings' 14-yard line with 6:51 left in the first period. The Bears could only advance to the 12 before settling for a 29-yard field goal by Robbie Gould to make the score 7-3.

The Bears took the lead on a 67-yard pass from Cutler to Johnny Knox. Gould's kick made it 10-7 with 1:55 left in the opening period. The play equaled Cutler's longest TD pass to a wideout this season (he and Knox also connected for a 67-yard score against Seattle on Oct.17).

Favre was sacked and thrown to the hard turf by Wootton early in the second period. It was the first career sack for the Northwestern alum. Favre lay flat on his face before the Vikings training staff rushed to his assistance. Favre went down hard on his left shoulder as his helmet hit the ground.

Webb took over at quarterback for the Vikings on their next possession, as Favre's return was called doubtful and he eventually was ruled out for the game.

The Bears then mounted an impressive drive, capped by a 15-yard TD pass to Hester with 6:54 to go until intermission. The Bears led 17-7 at the break.

Hester returned the opening kickoff of the second half 79 yards to the Vikings' 6. The Bears failed to advance the ball, so Gould came on to boot a 23-yard field goal for a 20-7 lead.

Hester set his record with a 64-yard punt return for a touchdown with 12:06 left in the third period. The TD gave the Bears a 27-7 lead.

Webb ran 13 yards for a touchdown to pull the Vikings within 27-14 with 9:47 to go in the third period. The four-play drive covered 68 yards as Webb scored his first career TD.

Rashied Davis was the recipient of Cutler's third TD pass. It was Davis' first TD catch of the season and only the second catch of the year . The score came at 5:16 of the third period to give the Bears a 34-14 lead.

Gould tacked on a 34-yard field goal late in the third period to extend the Bears lead to 37-14.

The Bears boosted their lead to 40-14 on Gould's 20-yard field goal, his fourth of the game, with 7:04 left in the fourth quarter.

The Vikings were without star running back Adrian Peterson, who has been battling a knee, ankle and thigh injuries.

For the Bears, linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa was inactive, as expected, coming off knee surgery. Nick Roach will start in his place.

Also starting for the Bears was defensive tackle Tommie Harris, who has earned his job back ahead of Matt Toeaina.

The other inactives for the Bears were Desmond Clark, Joshua Moore, Marcus Harrison, Edwin Williams, Kahlil Bell, and Herman Johnson. Caleb Hanie was the third quarterback.

Contributing: Vaughn McClure

Source: http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/12/favre-to-start-peterson-out-for-vikings-vs-bears.html

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