Packers top Bears to earn NFC's top seed

Aaron Rodgers threw five touchdown passes for the first time, helping the host Packers nail down the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a 35-21 win over the Bears Sunday night. Rodgers threw a pair of touchdowns to Jordy Nelson, another two to James Jones and found tight end Jermichael Finley for a score.

"To be able to be a part of something special like this has been incredible," Rodgers said in a television interview. "Great night tonight for us, securing that No. 1 seed."

Clay Matthews made a key first-half interception for the Packers (14-1), who needed the win to lock up home-field advantage in the NFC. The loss eliminated the Bears (7-8) from playoff contention and put the Falcons in the playoffs as at least a wild card.

Third-stringer Kahlil Bell rushed for 121 yards for the Bears, who trailed by only four early in the third quarter. But Rodgers drove the Packers for touchdowns on their next three possessions to put the game out of reach.

Lions earn first playoff spot since 1999

The Lions and Falcons are in; the Eagles are out. The Bengals are closing in on a playoff berth, while the Jets, Titans and Raiders need some help. All part of a wild closing act to the NFL season.

The last time the Lions were a force, Barry Sanders was in their backfield. The Hall of Fame running back retired after the 1998 season, and Detroit made the postseason the next year before it plummeted to the bottom of the league. In 2008, the Lions had the only 0-16 record in NFL history. Now, they're in the chase for the championship. Their 38-10 rout of San Diego on Saturday secured an NFC wild card.

"Once you get to the playoffs, it's anybody's ballgame," defensive end Cliff Avril said. "The city of Detroit needs it. They've been waiting on us to win for a while. It's such a football town and we haven't been winning, so it's huge."

Around the league

The Vikings endured a crushing loss when star running back Adrian Peterson suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during a 33-26 victory over the Redskins . . . The Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch scored the first rushing touchdown of the season against the 49ers, a 4-yarder . . . The 49ers' David Akers set a record with 42 field goals in a season, including four in a 19-17 win at Seattle . . . Cam Newton broke Peyton Manning's 1998 rookie record for yards passing with 3,893 as the Panthers routed Tampa Bay, 48-16. -- AP