CHICAGO — Brett Favre cranked up and zinged a touchdown pass in the fading seconds. Too bad for the Minnesota Vikings, that merely put them into overtime.
The Vikings lost again Monday night, beaten by the Chicago Bears 36-30 when Jay Cutler tossed a 39-yard pass to Devin Aromashodu. Minnesota fell for the third time in four games, and the loss gave the New Orleans Saints home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.
Playing for the first time since the dustup between Favre and Coach Brad Childress became public, the Vikings’ late rally wasn’t enough.
Despite Favre’s fourth-down pass to Sidney Rice with 16 seconds left in regulation, Cutler threw the game-winner with just over nine minutes left in overtime to prevent the Vikings (11-4) from locking up a first-round playoff bye.
Nick Roach recovered a fumble by Adrian Peterson following a catch, setting up Cutler’s fourth touchdown pass of the game.
Favre’s pass to a leaping Rice capped a 68-yard touchdown drive and tied the game at 30.
Chicago’s Robbie Gouldhad a chance to win it on the first possession of the overtime but missed a 45-yard field goal wide right.
The Bears (5-10) took advantage a few minutes later, though, when Hunter Hillenmeyer knocked the ball away from Peterson and Roach recovered. Cutler found an open Aromashodu, who had beaten Antoine Winfield, and the Bears won for just the third time in 11 games.
“D.A., he’s been coming along,” Cutler said. “He had some injuries early on. ... I’m happy for him.”
Favre has never led a team to a victory after trailing by 17or more points, falling to 0-43 in such situations. The Bears were up 23-6 in the third quarter and the Vikings were able to tie it twice.
Minnesota can lock up a first-round bye with a victory next week and loss or tie by Philadelphia or with a tie and an Eagles loss. But after running away with the NFC North, the Vikings didn’t expect to be in this situation.
They started 10-1 behind a resurgent Favre, but have tailed off since. Favre had a good game after three mediocre performances, completing 26 of 40 passes for 321 yards and 2 touchdowns. Peterson ran for 94 yards and two scores, but the Vikings simply couldn’t pull this one out.
Cutler looked more like the player the Bears thought they were getting in a trade with Denver than the one who’s been racking up interceptions at an alarming rate. He was 20 of 35 for 273 yards, although he did throw his league-leading 26th interception.
Aromashodu had seven catches for 150 yards, and Danieal Manning set up two touchdowns with kickoff returns of 57 and 59 yards.
The Bears led 16-0 at halftime and 23-6 midway through the third before Minnesota rallied. The Vikings tied it at 23 on Peterson’s 1-yard run with 5:49 left, then Manning ran the kickoff back 59 yards beforetripping at the 21. Two plays later, Cutler hit Earl Bennett with a 20-yard touchdown to give the Bears a 30-23 lead with 4:55 remaining, and the Bears appeared to be in good shape.
Favre and Rice had other ideas, though, tying it with that leaping catch at the end of regulation.
Minnesota ........ 0 0 13 17 0 - 30 Chicago ........... 3 13 7 7 6 - 36 First Quarter Chi-FG Gould 22, 7:24.
Second Quarter Chi-FG Gould 42, 13:23.
Chi-Olsen 7 pass from Cutler (Gould kick), 5:56.
Chi-FG Gould 41, :00.
Third Quarter Min-Peterson 1 run (kick blocked), 8:17.
Chi-Clark 2 pass from Cutler (Gould kick), 6:30.
Min-Shiancoe 6 pass from Favre (Longwell kick), 1:18.
Fourth Quarter Min-FG Longwell 41, 12:10.
Min-Peterson 1 run (Longwell kick), 5:49.
Chi-Bennett 20 pass from Cutler (Gould kick), 4:55.
Min-Rice 6 pass from Favre (Longwell kick), :16.
Overtime Chi-Aromashodu 39 pass from Cutler, 9:15.
Sports, Pages 21 on 12/29/2009