In a microcosm of the 2006 season, the Bears clinched home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, but it wasn't pretty.

Chicago led most of the way against Tampa Bay, but gave up two long TD passes by Tim Rattay that erased a 14-point fourth quarter deficit and sent the game into overtime. When the Bucs tried to gift wrap a victory with a turnover in the extra session, Robbie Gould missed a 37-yard field goal. In the end, Gould got another chance and converted a glorified extra point for the win.

The Bears were able to clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC because the Saints lost at home to the Redskins. New Orleans survived just one week as the latest "team to beat" in the conference. Still, the NFC South title is theirs after the Panthers and Falcons both lost.

Thanks in large part to the play of Jeff Garcia, the Eagles have emerged as a Wild-Card frontrunner after their victory over the Giants. Shockingly, Philly would win the NFC East if they win out.

However, the other Wild-Card slot is wide open. There are seven teams at 7-7 or 6-8, all of which are still mathematically alive.

The Packers were just good enough against the pitiful Lions. Brett Favre broke Dan Marino's career completions record, but Green Bay had to overcome three interceptions by the three-time MVP.

In the AFC, some teams rose while others fell.

The Ravens were able to clinch a playoff spot with Steve McNair on the bench for the bulk of the game with a hand injury. A lot of Jamal Lewis mixed with some Kyle Boller allowed Baltimore to beat Cleveland.

Aside from the Chargers, the Titans are the hottest team in the league. While Tennessee needs a lot of help to make the playoffs, at 7-7 and winners of five straight, the Titans have given new meaning to the role of spoiler.

On the flipside, the Jaguars continue to be consistently inconsistent. After impressive wins over the Miami and Indy, Jacksonville lost despite not giving up an offensive touchdown to Tennessee. The Titans returned turnovers 83, 92 and 61 yards for TDs.

Even if the Texans had incorporated the same scouting technique the Dolphins used to blank the Patriots a week ago, it probably wouldn't have mattered. David Carr spent as much time on his back as he did completing passes to New England defenders. Everything is once again well in Belichickland.

Chad Pennington and the Jets bounced back after a bad loss with an impressive performance on the road in Minnesota. With the Dolphins and Raiders left on the schedule, a playoff run is still very much in play. Meanwhile, the Vikings blew an opportunity to move up the NFC ladder.

Jay Cutler earned his first NFL win and helped the Broncos end a four-game losing streak in the process. Denver's victory over Arizona makes a postseason run a possibility.

Somehow, someway the Steelers are still fighting to play into January. Pittsburgh dismantled Carolina, who looks like the end of the year can't come soon enough.

After shutting out New England 21-0 in controversial fashion, Miami got blanked by Buffalo.

Oakland's offense is so bad, the Rams were able to keep the Raiders off the scoreboard.

We know the Bears can still clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with a tie, but that doesn't mean they have to do it, right?

Devin Hester's returns have been exciting today ... but not for the reason you'd expect, given his record-setting six returns for TDs this season. He's lost one already ... and just fumbled another one in OT. Fortunately for the Bears, it went out of bounds.

Another week, another concern for the Bears.

This time Rex Grossman isn't the problem. The problem is a defense that's supposed to be the cornerstone of the team's success, but has given up 21 second-half points to a Tim Rattay-led offense.

That was a pretty impressive display by Chicago's offense.

One series after the Bucs pulled within a TD, it wouldn't have been surprising to see a jittery Rex Grossman direct a three-and-out (or worse).

Instead, he calmly led the Bears 77 yards down the field and Cedric Benson would simply not be denied on a four-yard TD run.

So Bears fans got all excited because the Bucs actually kicked the ball to Devin Hester on a kickoff.

Do you think they'd have been quite so pumped if they'd known Hester was going to cough the ball up on the play?

Suddenly, Chicago's lead is down to 14 points and the Bucs are threatening.