MINNEAPOLIS — Brett Favre’s surprise start ended with another injury, perhaps putting him out for good, and the game ended with an NFC North title for the Chicago Bears.
Jay Cutler threw three touchdown passes to help the Bears beat the Minnesota Vikings 40-14 on a frosty, hard-hitting Monday night.
Favre finished 5-for-7 for 63 yards, and the Vikings (5-9) fell apart in front of their proud alumni in town for the franchise’s 50th anniversary celebration.
With the Metrodome unusable because of a roof collapse, the game was moved to the University of Minnesota. TCF Bank Stadium was about 80 percent full, with snowballs flying from the seats.
Favre wasn’t even supposed to play. His sprained throwing shoulder hurt too much for him to practice this week.
But after feeling better when he woke up Monday, according to the Vikings, Favre wanted to try. He passed his pregame throwing test and trotted out in front of the Minnesota fans one last time, finding Percy Harvin for a 23-yard TD to give the Vikings a 7-0 lead after the opening drive.
“It was a great opening drive,” Favre said. “I probably should’ve went straight up the tunnel after that. But again — you’ve got to try sometimes.”
Henry Melton tipped Favre’s pass on the next Minnesota possession, Julius Peppers intercepted it at the 14 and Robbie Gould kicked a field goal. The next drive was a three-and-out, and Favre had to hustle back and smother the ball after a high snap slipped through his hands. Cutler zipped a 67-yard pass up the sideline to a streaking Johnny Knox, and the Bears built a 10-7 lead they never lost.
