With their 23-13 victory over the Vikings, the Bears won their ninth division title since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970. A recap of all the division clinchers:
DATE, RESULT, GM, SKINNY
Dec. 3, 2006 W 23-13 vs. Minnesota 12 Special-teams and defensive TDs help offset Rex Grossman’s 1.3 passer rating at frigid Soldier Field
Dec. 25, 2005 W 24-17 at Green Bay 15 Holiday cheer as team ends 4-year playoff drought; Lance Briggs’ 10-yd INT-return TD is insurance
Jan. 6, 2002 W 33-13 vs. Jacksonville 16 Defense sacks Jaguars’ Mark Brunell 4 times, picks him off 3 times in rout; Keith Traylor has INT
Dec. 2,
1990 W 23-17 (OT) vs. Detroit 12 Jim Harbaugh lofts 50-yard TD pass to RB Neal Anderson; Packers’ loss to Vikings helps cause
Dec. 11, 1988 W 13-12 vs. Detroit 15 Kevin Butler’s 32-yard FG with :04 left wins it after Al Harris blocks Eddie Murray’s extra point
Dec. 6, 1987 W 30-24 at Minnesota 13 Mike Tomczak hits Dennis Gentry with 28-yard scoring pass with :40 left in Sunday night victory
Nov. 30, 1986 W 13-10 (OT) vs. Pittsburgh 13 After missing 28-yard FG late in regulation, Butler kicks 42-yarder 3:55 into OT to give Bears title
Nov. 17, 1985 W 44-0 at Dallas 11 Richard Dent and Mike Richardson score defensive TDs as Cowboys suffer worst defeat in history
Nov. 25, 1984 W 34-3 at Minnesota 12 With Jim McMahon out with lacerated kidney, Steve Fuller guides Bears to 1st NFC Central title
Sources: Bears, Tribune archives
———-
Compiled by Mike Pankow
