US Sport story by Dominic Taylor, Mon, 26 Dec 2005 13:04:00 GMT


GREEN BAY, Wisconsin - Chicago Bears swept away the NFC North Division title with a splendid 24-17 win over the Green Bay Packers. Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs and quarterback Rex Grossman were the stars for the Bears, who seemed determined to seal the win.

In the process the Bears (11-4) also ensured a playoff bye. For Grossman, it was a first start since September 26 last year and he made most of the opportunity as he finished 11-of-23 passes for 166 yards. Grossman had been nursing a fractured ankle and was hence out of the first 13 games that the Bears played this season.

The Packers' disappointing performance was compounded by Brett Favre's continuing horror season as he failed to get going once again. Commenting on his showing, Grossman said, “We mixed it up a little bit. We saw a lot of tape where we could do some things down the field, and we made a few plays there. We got a lead and came back to our running game and great defense.”

This was the bears' first win over the Packers since 1991 and linebacker Lance Briggs played a pivotal part in it with a touchdown, “I don't think you can change the magnitude of winning in Green Bay or clinching the division in Green Bay," Briggs reflected. “It's the Packers. They're our biggest rival.”

For the Packers (3-12), this has been the worst season that Brett Favre has had and it is being speculated that Coach Mike Sherman and Favre are in danger of losing their spots. However, Sherman defended the performance of his star quarterback, “Anytime a quarterback gets four interceptions, you have to look at that. I do know this: He gave us a chance to win there at the end,” he said.

The Bears for now are cautious despite the celebrations, Alex Brown is clear on what the goal is, "We want to win the Super Bowl. Everything else is second. And nobody wants to finish second."

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