NEW YORK, 27 December 2005 — Rex Grossman threw for a touchdown and Lance Briggs returned one of four interceptions for another score in leading the Chicago Bears to a 24-17 NFC North-clinching road win against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
Grossman completed 11-of-23 passes for 166 yards, including a 12-yard TD strike to Mushin Muhammad to open the scoring, guiding the Bears (11-4) to their 10th win in 11 games and a first division crown since 2001.
Brett Favre’s disappointing season continued as the Packers’ quarterback failed to throw a touchdown pass for the fourth consecutive game and he was intercepted four times.
With one game remaining in the regular season, Favre has already tossed 28 interceptions, eclipsing his previous career high of 24.
Making his record 100th start at Lambeau Field, Favre nearly produced another of the miracle comeback finishes that have become his trademark.
Taking over the ball on his own nine-yard line with 1:26 to play, Favre completed a 56-yard pass to his favorite target Donald Driver to move the ball down to the Bears’ 35.
But the rally ended in another disappointment when Favre was picked off by Chris Harris to blunt the comeback, sending the Packers (3-12) to their eighth defeat in 10 games.
In Baltimore, Kyle Boller threw three touchdowns as the Ravens snuffed out the Minnesota Vikings’ slim playoff hopes with a 30-23 victory.
The Vikings entered the contest needing a win to stay in the postseason chase but failed to produce a Christmas Day wonder, the loss handing a playoff berth to the New York Giants. Boller completed 24-of-34 pass attempts for 289 yards, including touchdowns to Todd Heap, Mark Clayton and Derrick Mason.
Matter Stover booted three field goals, i cluding two late in the fourth quarter, to help clinch the victory.
