Grossman, Bears Take Long Route

Most playoff teams would expect to get more than 166 yards passing from their starting quarterback.

For the Chicago Bears, however, it represents a giant leap forward.

Rex Grossman didn’t have gaudy statistics in his first regular-season start in nearly 15 months. But his ability to throw accurate deep passes helped the Bears clinch the NFC North and a first-round bye with a 24-17 victory over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

“We mixed it up a little bit,” Grossman said. “We saw a lot of tape where we could do some things down the field, and we made a few plays there. We got a lead and came back to our running game and great defense.”

The Bears (11-4) also swept the Packers for the first time since 1991.

“I don’t think you can change the magnitude of winning in Green Bay or clinching the division in Green Bay,” said linebacker Lance Briggs, who returned an interception for a touchdown in the third quarter. “It’s the Packers. They’re our biggest rival.”

The Packers (3-12) are on their way toward their first losing season in the Brett Favre era. With one game left, the futures of Favre and Coach Mike Sherman remain in doubt.

The season has been a nightmare for Favre, who tried to rally the Packers in the final minute but came up short. A potential tying drive ended with another Favre interception.

Four of Favre’s passes were picked off Sunday, bringing his total to 28 for the season and surpassing his previous career high of 24 in 1993.

Favre has gone four straight games without a touchdown pass, the first time in his career he has gone more than two games without throwing for a score.

Favre, who has yet to decide if he will return to play next season, didn’t speak to reporters after the game.

Favre had 317 yards on 30-of-51 passing, including six passes to Donald Driver for 106 yards.

But Grossman threw more effective deep passes, opening space for running back Thomas Jones, who had 25 carries for 105 yards and a touchdown.

Grossman sat out most of last season with a knee injury, then broke his ankle in an exhibition game in August. He was replaced by rookie Kyle Orton, who played mostly mistake-free but didn’t make spectacular plays.