Bears set up historic game with victory

CHICAGO - Football's oldest rivalry has a grand new prize: a spot in the Super Bowl.

The Bears' 35-24 dismantling of overmatched Seattle on Sunday sets up the biggest game in their 90-year series with the Packers.

Chicago and Green Bay will play for the 182d time next Sunday, but it's their first meeting for the NFC title.

Jay Cutler ran for two touchdowns and threw for two as Chicago (12-5) pounded the Seahawks (8-10) from the outset, gliding through the snowflakes to score 21 first-half points.

The defense was monstrous enough when it mattered, shutting 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.

"Now that we have beaten the Seahawks, it just doesn't get any better, as I see it, than for the NFC championship coming down to the Packers coming down on our turf this time," Bears coach Lovie Smith said. "The Packers and Bears to finish it up."

Cutler, in his first postseason game, showed none of the wild swings that often have marked his five-year career. He did show some shifty moves on a 6-yard run that made it 21-0, essentially turning everyone's attention to next weekend.

"We're both familiar with each other, so nothing's going to be new," Cutler said. "We have our hands full."

Not much was expected of the Bears when the season began, but they've 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 - when they lost to Indianapolis in the Super Bowl.

Unlike Atlanta and Pittsburgh the day before, they showed no rust from having a bye. Then again, Seattle showed none of the surging emotions or big-play abilities it had sprung on the Saints.

Chicago put away the game with touchdowns on three of its first four possessions, by which time Brian Urlacher, Julius Peppers and the rest of the defense had taken charge.

"Now we're back, playing together, hopefully peaking at the right time," Urlacher said.

Tight end Greg Olsen streaked past safety Lawyer Milloy for a 58-yard TD reception on Chicago's third offensive play. Chester Taylor added a 1-yard TD run and Cutler's 6-yarder built an insurmountable lead.