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Bears can clinch second straight division title on Sunday

Nov 28, 2006 - 11:19 PM Minnesota (5-6) at Chicago (9-2) Sunday 1:00 pm EST

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Chicago Bears return to Soldier Field for the first time in nearly a month with a chance to clinch their second straight division title.

After winning two of three road games against teams from the East, the Bears host the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday in a battle of NFC North rivals.

The Vikings have lost their last five visits here. But in the first meeting between the teams this season, the Bears barely escaped with a 19-16 win at Minnesota on September 24.

Rex Grossman threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Rashied Davis with under two minutes remaining and Robbie Gould kicked four field goals for the Bears.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, Grossman made a critical mistake when he threw an ill-advised pass under pressure that was returned seven yards for a touchdown by cornerback Antoine Winfield, allowing the Vikings to grab a 13-9 lead.

However, Grossman received an opportunity to atone for the mistake thanks to his defense.

With the Bears trailing, 16-12, defensive tackle Tommie Harris pressured quarterback Brad Johnson before he could hand off to Chester Taylor. Defensive end Adewale Ogunleye recovered the fumble at the Minnesota 38 with 3:25 remaining.

Five plays later, Grossman connected with Davis, a converted cornerback, over the middle with 1:53 left.

Grossman was 23-of-41 for 278 yards with two interceptions. Muhsin Muhammad had nine receptions for 118 yards.

Grossman has caused some angst in Chicago. He committed four turnovers in each of the Bears' losses - against Miami in their last home game on November 5 and at New England last Sunday.

After Chicago won back-to-back games at the Meadowlands against the New York Giants and New York Jets, Grossman was intercepted three times and fumbled a snap in a 17-13 loss to the Patriots.

The Bears ran the ball effectively, totaling 153 yards on the ground. Thomas Jones led the way with 99 yards on 23 carries.

However, the Vikings rank first in the league against the run. Minnesota's defensive tackle tandem of Kevin Williams and Pat Williams may be the best one in the NFL.

But the Bears have the league's stingiest defense, yielding under 12.5 points a game. They have also forced a league-high 34 turnovers.

Five of the turnovers came in the loss to the Patriots as cornerback Charles Tillman intercepted Tom Brady twice.

Minnesota will try to establish the run with Taylor, who is third in the NFC with 999 rushing yards. In the first meeting, the Bears held Taylor to 74 yards on 20 carries.

The Vikings also forced five turnovers, including two interceptions by safety Dwight Smith, in a 31-26 loss over Arizona last week.