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Bears still need help to make playoffs

Dec 23, 2008 - 5:17 PM Chicago (9-6) at Houston (7-8), 1:00 pm EST

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- The Chicago Bears have a message to the New York Giants - don't lay down against the Minnesota Vikings.

After winning a second straight overtime thriller in arctic conditions at Soldier Field, the Bears leave their frozen city to face the Houston Texans in their regular-season finale on Sunday.

Chicago (9-6) must win to keep alive its playoff hopes, but the Bears also need help from the defending Super Bowl champions at the Metrodome.

A Chicago victory, coupled with a Giants' win over the Vikings (9-6), will give the Bears the NFC North title. However, if both Chicago and Minnesota win, the Vikings claim the division crown based on a better conference record.

The Bears also have an outside chance to get into the playoff as a wild card, but they need Dallas (9-6) and Tampa Bay (9-6) each to lose. The Cowboys play at Philadelphia and the Buccaneers host Oakland.

Chicago's best bet is to root for the Giants, who have nothing to play for after wrapping up home-field advantage throughout the playoffs last week. That means coach Tom Coughlin may opt to rest some of his banged-up players, although it is not in his nature to back off from going all out to win any game.

Of course, the Bears also have to take care of their own business. The two games will be played simultaneously with 1:00 p.m. kickoffs.

On Monday, the Bears overcame an early 11-point deficit and single-digit temperatures to beat the Green Bay Packers, 20-17, on Robbie Gould's 38-yard field with 11:18 remaining in overtime.

It marked the second straight week that Gould came through in overtime, as he booted a 35-yarder the week before to give Chicago a 27-24 win over New Orleans.

However, the Bears only got to the extra period against the Packers after Alex Brown blocked a 38-yard field goal attempt by Mason Crosby with 18 seconds remaining in regulation.

Chicago will be looking for a much quicker start in Houston, where the temperature is expected to be in the 60s. The Bears were outgained by the Packers, 325-210, and did not lead until the overtime.

"I'm confident, but we have to play better football," said Chicago quarterback Kyle Orton, who overcame two interceptions. "At least the offense has to go down there and play some better football. We're playing a tough team in Houston. It's a tough place to play so we have to get a big win on the road."

The Texans (7-8) are seeking their second straight .500 finish, although hopes for the franchise's first winning season were dashed with last week's 27-16 loss at Oakland.

Houston managed only three points in the second half and saw its franchise-record four-game winning streak snapped.

Rookie running back Steve Slaton was held to 66 yards, ending his streak of four straight 100 yards game. He still broke Domanick Williams' franchise mark for rushing yards in a season, raising his total to 1,190 yards.