A pair of injury-riddled NFC North foes wrap up disappointing campaigns on Sunday when the Vikings host the Bears at Mall of America Field. The Bears placed quarterback Jay Cutler and running back Matt Forte [[ for-TAY ]] on season-ending injured reserve earlier this week. Chicago has dropped five straight games on the heels of a five-game winning streak since losing Cutler to a broken right thumb in Week 11. They are coming off a 35-21 Christmas Day loss to Green Bay in Week 16 to dip to 7-and-8. Minnesota lost All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson to a season-ending knee injury in last weekend's 33-26 victory at Washington. Chicago beat Minnesota, 39-10, in Week Six.
A pair of playoff-bound teams will hook up when the Lions face the Packers at Lambeau Field Sunday. The defending Super Bowl champion Packers secured home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs with a 35-21 win over the Bears Christmas night. Sunday's season finale will serve as merely a postseason tune-up for the 14-and-1 Pack. Green Bay beat Detroit, 27-15, in the Motor City Thanksgiving Day. The Lions locked up their first playoff berth since 1999 with a 38-10 trouncing of the Chargers last week.
