NFL report: Bears knock out Farve, Vikes

Brett Favre's surprise start in Minneapolis ended with another injury, perhaps putting him out for good, and the game ended with an NFC North title for the Chicago Bears. Devin Hester set the NFL career record with his 14th kick return touchdown, running back a punt 64 yards for a score shortly after halftime last night to help the Bears fly past the host Vikings, 40-14, in a snowy, hard-hitting game.

Favre shrugged off a sprained right shoulder to start the game, receiving a thunderous ovation when he was introduced. But Bears defensive end Corey Wootton slammed Minnesota's 41-year-old quarterback to the ground in the second quarter, and Favre watched the rest from the bench.

Favre's helmet bounced against the frigid turf, and he stayed motionless for a few seconds before slowly rising and walking off with his head hung down. There was no immediate word on his condition.

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 tosses 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 finished 5-for-7 passing for 63 yards, and the Vikings (5-9) fell apart in front of their proud alumni in town for the franchise's 50th-anniversary celebration featuring all kinds of blasts from the past.

With the Metrodome unusable because of a roof collapse, the game was moved to the University of Minnesota's TCF Bank Stadium and was about 80 percent full. Former Vikings coach Bud Grant jogged around the field at halftime in a short-sleeve purple shirt, getting carried off by some of his former players after an inspired ceremony.

Favre wasn't even supposed to play. But after feeling better when he woke up on Monday, he wanted to try. He passed his pregame throwing test and trotted out in front of the Minnesota fans one last time, finding Percy Harvin for a 23-yard TD to give the Vikings a 7-0 lead after the opening drive.

But the vibe didn't last very long.

Romo return not rushed

Since Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo broke his left collarbone Oct. 25, the Dallas braintrust has pointed toward having him back in the lineup this week. However, team owner Jerry Jones said Sunday he was not optimistic and interim coach Jason Garrett was noncommittal. "We'll just see how he does [today], see how he feels," Garrett said.

Alexander arrested, released

The Denver Broncos have waived rookie linebacker Kevin Alexander, 23, hours after he was arrested on a domestic violence allegation. Team spokesman Patrick Smyth said that although the team was aware of his arrest, Alexander's release was a football decision to clear a roster spot for cornerback Chevis Jackson.

T.O. has season-ending surgery

Terrell Owens, 37, decided to have knee surgery Monday, ending his revival season with the Bengals. The receiver tore cartilage in his left knee two weeks ago, but kept playing. He aggravated the injury while making a cut on the opening series of a 19-17 win over Cleveland on Sunday. - AP