Bears clinch 1st division title since ’10
Mitch Trubisky threw for two touchdowns, Eddie Jackson ended Aaron Rodgers’ NFL-record streak without an interception and the Bears clinched the NFC North with a 24-17 victory over the Packers on Sunday in Chicago.
The Bears (10-4) secured their first playoff appearance since the 2010 team won the division, and clinching with a rare win over their rivals made it all the more sweet.
The loss, coupled with Vikings’ victory, keeps the Packers out of the playoffs for the second year in a row.
The Bears had dropped nine of 10 against the Packers (5-8-1). But the Bears secured their first trip to the playoffs in eight years with their seventh win in eight games.
Trubisky gave them a 21-14 lead early in the fourth with a 13-yard pass to Trey Burton.
Trailing 24-14, the Packers drove to the Bears 9. But on third down, Jackson picked off Rodgers, ending his record streak at 402 passes. Steelers 17, Patriots 10: Rookie RB Jaylen Samuels ran for a careerhigh 142 yards to help the Steelers snap a three-game losing streak. Ben Roethlisberger threw for 235 yards and two TDs and two INTs for the Steelers, who beat the Patriots for the first time in six tries. The Patriots blew a chance to clinch their 10th straight AFC East title. Colts 23, Cowboys 0: Marlon Mack rushed for a career-high 139 yards and two TDs and the Colts dealt the Cowboys their first shutout since 2003. The Colts stayed in the playoff hunt with their seventh win in eight games and ended the five-game win streak of the Cowboys, who blew a chance to clinch the NFC East title.
Redskins 16, Jaguars 13: Dustin Hopkins hit a 36-yard FG on the final play to end the Redskins’ four-game skid and keep their playoff hopes alive. QB Josh Johnson threw a TD pass in his first start in more than seven years. 49ers 26, Seahawks 23: Robbie Gould kicked a 36-yard FG with 3:06 left in OT, and the 49ers snapped a 10-game skid in the series. Richie James Jr. returned a kick 97 yards for a score in the win. The Seahawks had their four-game winning streak snapped and missed a chance to clinch a playoff berth. Titans 17, Giants 0: Derrick Henry had career-best 33 carries for 170 yards and two TDs to lift the Titans to their third straight win. It was the Titans’ first shutout since 2000. Falcons 40, Cardinals 14: Deion Jones returned an INT for a score, and the Falcons ended a five-game losing streak. The Falcons had a season-high seven sacks.
Bills 14, Lions 13: Josh Allen threw a 42-yard TD early in the fourth to end the Lions’ playoff hopes. Bengals 30, Raiders 16: Joe Mixon ran for 129 yards and two TDs as the Bengals ended their five-game skid. Vikings 41, Dolphins 17: Dalvin Cook had a career-high 136 yards and two TDs in the Vikings’ first game with Kevin Stefanski as interim offensive coordinator. The Vikings can clinch a wild-card berth with a win and help next week. Ravens 20, Buccaneers 12: Rookie QB Lamar Jackson ran for 95 yards and threw for 131 and a TD and improved to 4-1 in his five starts. Eagles at Rams: Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles started in place of injured Eagles QB Carson Wentz.