Morning Box Score: Hester, Bears Run Past Vikings
By Chuck Sudo in News on Dec 21, 2010 4:00PM
One of the keys to this unlikely of Bears seasons has been the re-emergence of Devin Hester as a return threat. It's no coincidence that Hester's return to form kickoff and punt returns has coincided with the emergence of Earl Bennett and Johnny Knox at wide receiver, and teaming Hester with Danieal Manning on kickoff returns has given the bears a "pick your poison" decision for opposing kickers.
Hester's performance last night in the Bears' 40-14 win over Minnesota was one for the record books. Hester returned the second-half kickoff 79 yards, leading to a Robbie Gould field goal, and later added a 64-yard punt return for a touchdown. The latter was Hester's 14th punt or kickoff return for a score in his young career, making him the all-time NFL leader in that category.
Hester's performance highlighted a total team effort. the Bears defense stiffened up after an efficient opening touchdown drive engineered by Brett Favre, who was named the Vikings' starter a few hours before the game. That drive, capped by a 23-yard TD pass to Percy Harvin, was the highlight of Favre's night. He was later knocked out of the game by a Corey Wootton sack in the second quarter that was reminiscent of the sack that led to a Jay Cutler concussion against the Bears. After effusive praise from the "Monday Night Football" broadcast team about Favre's exuberance — analyst Jon Gruden said Favre "looked like he was 23 out there" — Wooton's sack made Favre look every bit of his 42 years. Julius Peppers once again showed why he's been the best free agent signing of the offseason, pressuring Favre and backup Joe West all night and intercepting Favre in the first quarter.
As for Cutler, the Bears QB again managed the game wonderfully. Cutler was 14 of 24 passing for 194 yards, three touchdown passes and an interception, for a 106.0 QB rating. Two of Cutler's scoring strikes were a beautiful 67-yard bomb to a streaking Johnny Knox in the first quarter to give the Bears the lead for keeps, and a 15-yard laser strike to Hester in the second quarter.
With last night's win, the Bears clinched the NFC North with a 10-4 record; they're undefeated in the division. It also marks the first playoff team Cutler will play for as a professional and makes the Bears the first NFL team to clinch a division on a Monday night.