Texans... 31, Bears... 24

The Chicago Bears’ playoff chances ended against a team long eliminated from postseason contention.

Andre Johnson had two touchdowns and the Houston Texans got a 31-24 win over the Bears to knock them out of the playoff picture.

The Bears (9-7) needed a win to keep postseason hopes alive. Minnesota beat the New York Giants to take the NFC North title, but Chicago could have gotten in with a wild-card spot, needing a victory combined with losses or ties by Dallas and Tampa Bay. The Cowboys and Buccaneers both lost.

The Texans, coming off an embarrassing loss to Oakland, were determined to win to earn a second straight 8-8 season record. Johnson caught touchdown passes of 43 and three yards and had 10 receptions for 148 yards, the eighth 100-yard game this season for the NFL’s leading receiver.

Quoteworthy: “Our team didn’t play well enough . . . this year to accomplish our goals. It’s kind of as simple as that.” -- Lovie Smith, Bears coach