Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Chicago Bears ravage Brett Favre and Vikings to clinch NFC North

? Favre forced off with head injury in possibly his final game
? Win for Chicago secures their place in the play-offs

The Chicago Bears roughed up the Minnesota quarterback Brett Favre before clinching the NFC North Division with a 40-14 rout of the Vikings in a chilly Monday Night Football clash. The Bears (10-4) ignored the steady snowfall to dominate every phase of the game at the University of Minnesota's TCF Bank Stadium to book their ticket into the play-offs.

Favre, who made a surprise start one week after his NFL record of 297 consecutive starts was snapped, was knocked out of the game in the second quarter after being slammed head-first into the frozen turf. He did not return to the contest but was healthy enough to address reporters after the game.

"That was one of the few times in my career I kind of went blank," Favre said after completing five of seven passes with one touchdown and one interception. "I knew it would be my last home game. I don't regret the decision [to play]."

Chicago's Jay Cutler threw two of his three touchdown passes in the first half and Devin Hester scored on a 64-yard punt return that gave him an NFL record 14 career kick-off or punt return touchdowns. Hester's big play gave Chicago a 27-7 advantage in the third quarter en route to their sixth win in seven games.

"It feels great. It's a big load off my back and my team-mates," said an emotional Hester of his record. "They want it as bad as I do. I really love those guys. All the glory goes [to them]."

Already eliminated from the play-offs, Minnesota (5-9) played without their leading rusher Adrian Peterson, who missed the game with a thigh injury. The Vikings had to turn to the rookie third-string quarterback Joe Webb, who ran for one score but tossed two interceptions in the loss.

The game was played at the TCF Bank Stadium after the inflatable roof at the Vikings' regular home, the Metrodome, collapsed during a snowstorm.


guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2011 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

Rose Byrne Willa Ford Desiree Dymond Teri Polo Summer Altice

No comments:

Post a Comment