Clinching North title with style

Monday night, bizarre was the primary word that came to mind for the NFL game played in a Big Ten stadium that was unprepared for December football.

Give the Bears credit for overcoming the elements, beating the Vikings 40-14 and securing the NFC North title.

Not many teams in NFL history clinched a championship under odder, or more satisfying, circumstances.

For starters, in the morning Minnesota quarterback Brett Favre was considered out of the game, at night he was in it, and in the second quarter he was out again.

Beyond that the windchill hovered between below zero and above wicked. The precipitation was snow early in the evening and freezing rain later. Descriptions of TCF Bank Stadium's field ranged from worse than unplayable, better than the Vikings' customary Metrodome home and ultimately slicker than a hockey rink.

“There were a lot of issues weighing on us,” quarterback Jay Cutler said.

Bears head coach Lovie Smith preached to his players that focus was necessary, Why? Because if these conditions were suitable for the NFL the Chicago Symphony Orchestra might as well perform deep beneath Lake Michigan.

As much of a concern as which team would win the game was which players' bodies would survive the field conditions. This game was worth watching if only to see whether the icy turf cracked and a player plunged into one of Minnesota's 10,000 lakes below the surface.

Favre avoided that but couldn't avoid the rush of Bears rookie defensive end Corey Wootton. The 41-year-old grandfather who came in with lower-body and upper-body injuries — which ended his record consecutive starts streak just last week — left again after banging his head on the frozen ground.

All sorts of storylines dominated the evening and then, oh, yeah, almost secondarily the Bears were playing to clinch the NFC North.

Not only did the Bears succeed, they did it with style. Like, it's a joy to knock out Favre from a game because it has happened so infrequently.

Then there was Devin Hester's punt return for a touchdown, giving him a career NFL record of 14 TDs on kick returns, to complement solid performances on offense and defense.

“It's a big load off my back,” said Hester of the record. “Not just mine but my teammates' (backs).”

So now the Bears are in the playoffs after beating both Minnesota and the elements to elevate their record to 10-4 with two regular-season games remaining.

Think about that: The season started with the Bears considered non-contenders; it evolved into them expected to play at Green Bay for the division title in the season's final week; instead they'll celebrate Christmas as champions.

Seven weeks in, Smith's job was in jeopardy. Seven weeks later, he's pondering whether to rest his best players for the playoffs.

A week after the Bears' worst loss, in the Soldier Field snow, they responded with one of their best victories, in the Minnesota ice.

“They're a special group of guys,” Smith said.

After whining for most of last week about the TCF Bank Stadium conditions, the Bears set aside their concerns for three hours and played championship football.

Prevailing over the nasty elements is a good omen because the opposition will be more formidable in the playoffs and the weather possibly more inclement.

The combination could make for a bizarre January.

mimrem@dailyherald.com