Grossman struggles again, Bears still clinch division title

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Even in a time of celebration, Rex Grossman 
caused some more angst in the Windy City

Grossman completed just six passes and was intercepted three
times, but another strong defensive performance and another
touchdown on a punt return by rookie Devin Hester carried the
Chicago Bears to a 23-13 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in a
sloppy affair that featured 10 turnovers.

The win enabled the Bears (10-2) to clinch their second straight
NFC North title under coach Lovie Smith.

The sellout crowd at frigid Soldier Field cheered heartily for
the defense, but is clearly losing patience with Grossman, who
has started every game and appears to be regressing.

Grossman completed just 6-of-19 passes for 34 yards and his
three interceptions raised his total to 14 in Chicago's last
seven games.

"I know the fans' frustration, but I have pretty thick skin,"
Grossman said.  "I am just thinking too much.  I am analyzing
too much, rather than just going out there and playing."

Smith continues to stand behind Grossman, who was booed for most
of the second half.

"Rex Grossman is our quarterback," Smith said.  "We're 10-2 and
we won the division with Rex at quarterback.  But we still have
a lot to do as a team."

Fortunately for Grossman, the Bears intercepted Brad Johnson
four times and recorded five turnovers for the second straight
week.  Five turnovers forced by the defense last Sunday was not
good enough in a 17-13 loss at New England since Grossman
committed four turnovers - three interceptions and a fumbled
snap.

Chicago managed a total of six first downs and 107 yards against
the Vikings (5-7).  Hester topped that on his own with 138
yards on kick returns.

The big one came when Hester fielded a bouncing punt and somehow
eluded four Vikings who appeared to be on top of him, reversed
to the left side and raced 45 yards for a touchdown with 12:20
left in the second quarter, giving the Bears a 7-0 lead.

"The return was set up to the left," Hester said.  "The wind
held the ball up.  I hesitated to the right, then cut back to
the left. The team set up a wall in the middle and I ran for
it."

It was the fourth touchdown return for Hester, tying an NFL
record.  He set a club record with his third score on a punt
return and his other touchdown came when he ran back a missed
field goal 108 yards for a score in a November 12 game against
the New York Giants.

The Bears' defense accounted for a touchdown and a safety. It
also set up the only touchdown by the offense.

Nickel back Ricky Manning Jr. returned an interception 54 yards
for a score with 4:33 left in the third quarter and safety Chris
Harris and defensive tackle Tank Johnson tackled running back
Ciatrick Fason for a safety 1:01 into the fourth quarter.

Chicago's only score on offense came after linebacker Brian
Urlacher intercepted a pass by Brad Johnson and returned it two
yards to the Minnesota 33.  Four plays later, Cedric Benson
scored on a 24-yard run with 3:04 remaining in the third
quarter.

The pass to Urlacher was the last one by Brad Johnson, who was
yanked by coach Brad Childress after completing just 11-of-26
for 73 yards with four interceptions.

"You'd have to ask him if he (Johnson) was bothered by the cold
weather," Childress said when asked if the 19 degree weather
with a wind chill in single digits affected the quarterbacks.
"I just felt like we were making too many mistakes and needed to
make a change to turn the momentum."

Brooks Bollinger replaced Johnson and directed an 11-play,
89-yard drive which Fason capped with a four-yard touchdown run
with 5:40 left in the game.

Bollinger was 7-of-9 for 70 yards, but left on Minnesota's next
possession after being sacked by defensive end Adewale Ogunleye.

Rookie Tarvaris Jackson finished up for the Vikings, completing
3-of-4 passes for 35 yards.

Chester Taylor rushed for 99 yards on 17 carries for the Vikings
before leaving with a rib injury.  Signed as a free agent in
the offseason, Taylor has rushed for 1,098 yards.

A 42-yard run by Taylor set up a 23-yard field goal by Ryan
Longwell with 8:54 left in the second quarter.  Longwell added a
30-yarder with 10:07 remaining in the third quarter to pull
Minnesota within 7-6. 

Grossman was picked off twice in the first half and his first 
attempt of the third quarter was intercepted by linebacker Ben 
Leber at the Chicago 36.

But the Vikings didn't take advantage.  Johnson threw a pass
that went off the hands of tight end Jeff Dugan and into the
arms of linebacker Lance Briggs.

"We had chances and left points on the field," Childress said.
"You don't get those back.  We just made too many mistakes."

Manning, who had served a one-game suspension for violating the
league's personal conduct policy, turned his team-leading fifth
interception of the season into a 54-yard touchdown.

After the ensuing kickoff, Urlacher recorded his interception.

Rookie Danieal Manning had the other interception for the Bears
and linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer recovered a fumble.

"Our defense took over the game," Smith said.  "We lead the
league in turnovers forced (39) and we have been consistent from
day one."

Leber, cornerback Antoine Winfield and linebacker Napolean
Harris had interceptions for the Vikings.