NFL: Bears top Vikings in overtime

Brett Favre cranked up and made one more impossible throw, zinging 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 host Chicago Bears 36-30 when Jay Cutler tossed a 39-yard strike to Devin Aromashodu. Minnesota fell for the third time in four games, and the defeat gave the New Orleans Saints homefield advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.
Favre's stunning, fourth-down pass to Sidney Rice with 16 seconds left in regulation forced overtime, but Cutler threw the game-winner 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 score at 30.
Chicago's Robbie Gould had a chance to win it on the first possession of the overtime but missed a 45-yard field-goal try 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.
Minnesota can lock up a first-round bye with a win next week and loss or tie by Philadelphia or with a tie and an Eagles loss.
Running back Steven Jackson, who was a surprise scratch Sunday for St. Louis in a 31-10 loss at Arizona, said he expects to play against the 49ers in the season finale.
Jackson said he has been playing with a herniated disk that will not require surgery.
Guard Mark Setterstrom has a torn left triceps that will keep him out of Sunday's game. Defensive end Leonard Little has missed the past two games because of a knee infection, but coach Steve Spagnuolo said he was hopeful Little could return Sunday.
Eagles: Center Jamaal Jackson's season is over after he tore a knee ligament Sunday against Denver.
Jackson made his 71st consecutive start against the Broncos and was Philadelphia's only offensive player to play every snap until he got hurt in the first half.
Dolphins: A person familiar with Channing Crowder's foot injury said the Miami linebacker is out for the season. The person said Crowder underwent an MRI exam Monday, but a decision had not yet been made whether he needs surgery.
Crowder hurt his right foot on the second play of Sunday's game against Houston and missed the rest of the game.
Broncos: Denver will be without starting left guard Russ Hochstein and returner Kenny McKinley for the season finale against Kansas City after both suffered knee injuries at Philadelphia.
Buccaneers: Running back Earnest Graham and defensive end Jimmy Wilkerson will miss Tampa Bay's season finale against Atlanta after being injured during an upset victory over New Orleans on Sunday.
Graham tore a ligament in the big toe on his right foot. Wilkerson tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
Source:http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_14084814