Bears go out with win Chicago Bears' season game to an end yesterday at a freezing Soldier Field and I was there to witness it (right). The Bears, last season's Superbowl runners up have had a dismal season, just not delivering enough in games that last year they would have won. In fact yesterday's final opponents the New Orleans Saints have had the same problem. This game a season ago was for the Conference Championship title, yesterday it meant nothing, although the Saints may have snatched a wild card post-season place if they'd won and two other teams lost.

Bears went 10-0 up early and always led as third choice quarterback Kyle Orton threw the ball deep and frequently. The offense, the target for most groans this season from fans, was varied and they rolled in 30+ points for the 2nd consecutive week. The main event was Devin Hester who closed Soldier Field down for the season bringing home two touch-downs to warm the hearts of over 62,000 fans. One a 55-yard reception from Kyle Orton, the other on a 64-yard punt return, one of the most exciting things you can see at an American Football game, and Hester is the best at it. Bears won 33-25.

So the play-off's start next week without the Bears but after beating arch rivals and Divisional winners Green Bay last week and New Orleans yesterday they finally proved their pre-season billing but it was too late.

Wild Card games:
Washington Redskins at Seattle Seahawks
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Giants
Jackonsville Jaguars at Pittsburgh Steelers
Tennessee Titans v San Diego Chargers

Four top Seeds:
New England Patriots
Indianapolis Colts
Green Bay Packers
Dallas Cowboys  ¶ 09:53