By Barry wilner
Associated Press
CHICAGO ó Footballís oldest rivalry has a grand new prize: a spot in the Super Bowl.
Maybe even with an anniversary reprise of the ěSuper Bowl Shuffleî if the Chicago Bears can get past the Green Bay Packers.
ěItís a big deal. We have a lot of history with them,î Bears star linebacker Brian Urlacher said after a 35-24 victory over Seattle set up an NFC championship game matchup with Green Bay. ěWe donít like them, they donít like us.î
Jay Cutler ran for two touchdowns and threw for two as Chicago (12-5) pounded the Seahawks from the outset. The Bearsí built a 28-0 lead, but it was against the first division winner with a losing record, making it difficult to measure how good they are. The NFL will find out next week against the Packers (12-6), who have beaten third-seeded Philadelphia and top-seeded Atlanta on the road this month.
The last time Chicago won the NFL title, Walter Payton, Jim McMahon and Mike Singletary did the ěSuper Bowl Shuffleî all over their opponents. That was 25 years ago, and to compare these Bears with the wild bunch that won Chicagoís only Super Bowl 25 years ago is a stretch.
But next Sundayís matchup is fitting if only for the history: It will be the biggest game in Chicagoís 90-year series with the Packers. They will play for the 182nd time next Sunday, but itís their first meeting for the NFC title.
ěNow that we have beaten the Seahawks, it just doesnít get any better, as I see it, than for the NFC championship coming down to the Packers coming down on our turf this time,î Bears coach Lovie Smith said. ěThe Packers and Bears to finish it up.î
Cutler made it possible as much as anybody. And he did it with nimble feet as well as precise throws, running for 6- and 9-yard TDs.
ěIt was fun,î he said with a smile. ěThat first one was called. Second one was kind of improv.î
There was nothing improvisational about the way the Bearsí defense shut down an offense that scored 41 points against New Orleans last week, but that gained only 111 through three periods at Soldier Field, where Seattle managed a 23-20 victory in October. The Seahawksí points all came with the outcome decided.
ěNow weíre back, playing together, hopefully peaking at the right time,î Urlacher said.
Cutler, in his first postseason game, showed none of the wild swings that often have marked his five-year career. His shifty moves on a 6-yard run made it 21-0, essentially turning everyoneís attention to next weekend.
ěWeíre both familiar with each other, so nothingís going to be new,î Cutler said. ěWe have our hands full.î
Not much was expected of the Bears when the season began, but theyíve improved mightily since falling to 4-3 heading into their bye week. They clinched a playoff berth with two games remaining, grabbing their first NFC North championship since 2006 ó when they lost to Indianapolis in the Super Bowl.
Unlike Atlanta and Pittsburgh on Saturday, they showed no rust from having a bye in dominating Seattle. Then again, the Seahawks showed none of the surging emotions or big-play abilities they sprung on the Saints at home. It was merely a one-week reprieve, and they went even flatter after tight end John Carlson was carted off with a head injury in the first quarter following a nasty spill; Carlson landed on the side of his helmet and his shoulder, but had movement in his extremities.
Seattle lost corner Marcus Trufant to a head injury in the third quarter when he collided with Kellen Davisí knee while trying to make a tackle. Trufant also was carted off.
Coach Pete Carroll said both players were hospitalized and were expected to stay overnight for observation.