MINNEAPOLIS: Brett Favre made a surprising start only to suffer what could be another potentially career-ending injury as his Minnesota Vikings were beaten 40-14 by the Chicago Bears in the NFL Monday. Chicago clinched the NFC North title, with Devin Hester setting the NFL record with his 14th kick return touchdown, running back a punt 64 yards for a score shortly after halftime on a frosty, hard-hitting night. Jay Cutler threw three touchdown passes for the Bears (10-4), who last won this division during their 2006 Super Bowl season. Hester caught one of those scoring passes and also took back the second-half kickoff 79 yards to set up a field goal a few minutes before his game-breaking punt return made it 27-7. That was Hester's 14th career return touchdown, kickoff or punt, breaking Brian Mitchell's previous mark. Favre's record streak of starts ended when he sat out last weekend's game, but again showed his remarkable recuperative powers by starting this contest. The 41-year-old finished 5 for 7 for 63 yards. He passed his pregame throwing test and trotted out in front of the Minnesota fans one last time. In the second quarter, the Vikings lost Favre – perhaps for good. Chicago's Corey Wootton got in the backfield and grabbed Favre by his non-throwing shoulder, slamming him toward the cold turf. Favre lay motionless for a few seconds before climbing to his feet and walking off with his head down, and did not return. Favre repeatedly has said this will be his final season.
