Bears are in; Vikings need win to stay alive



Chicago clinched its first division title since 2001 beating Green Bay.
Associated Press
Chicago clinched the NFC North and a first-round bye Sunday by holding on to beat Green Bay 24-17 in the first start of the season for Rex Grossman.
The quarterback, who broke his ankle in a preseason game Aug. 12, came on in relief last week against Atlanta. On Sunday, he threw one touchdown pass and guided a resurgent offense as the Bears (11-4) won their first division title since 2001 and their second since 1990.
They held their breath at the end as Brett Favre tried to rally the Packers, but came up just short.
Seattle (13-2) already has home-field advantage throughout the playoffs in the NFC.
In Sunday night's late game, a Minnesota loss at Baltimore would mean the New York Giants would clinch a playoff berth and the Vikings would be eliminated.
The rest of the playoff picture:
In the AFC, Indianapolis (13-2) has the AFC South title and home-field advantage, while Denver (12-3) has clinched the AFC West and a first-round bye.
Steelers need a win
Jacksonville (11-4) is in the playoffs as a wild card, and Pittsburgh (10-5) can clinch the final wild-card spot with a win over Detroit at Heinz Field on Sunday.
Kansas City (9-6) is still alive but needs help. Tonight, the Patriots (9-5), in as the AFC East champions, play the New York Jets.
In the NFC, the Giants (10-5) can win the NFC East with a victory Saturday at Oakland. The Redskins (9-6) can make the playoffs as a wild card if they win their finale in Philadelphia. They can win the East if they win and the Giants lose.
Tampa Bay (10-5) can win the NFC South with a victory over New Orleans next week. Carolina (10-5) would clinch a playoff berth with a win in Atlanta. The Panthers would win the division with a victory and a Bucs loss. Dallas (9-6) is still alive but needs help.
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