The "Return King" Helps Chicago Capture First Division Title Since 2006

Before the season, knowing that Brett Favre would be in a Viking uniform, this matchup was supposed to be heavily favored in the opposite direction. Towards a Minnesota blowout.

But, instead, the now 10-4 Chicago Bears clinched the NFC North division with their 40-14 blowout of the Minnesota Vikings.

The game was played in the University of Minnesota's TCF Bank Stadium rather than Minnesota's Metrodome since the Dome had yet to be repaired after snow damaged the roof two weeks ago. Minnesota players had been complaining about the poor conditions all week long. As for Chicago? They are used to playing football in wintry conditions, and we didn't hear a peep from them all week.

The hard ground did prove to be a factor throughout the game, though, as Brett Favre left early in the second quarter with an apparent head injury after rookie defensive end Corey Wootton, out of Northwestern, slammed Favre to the turf for his first NFL sack.

He did not return and was replaced by rookie Joe Webb, the former UAB signal caller, who was named tonight's starter earlier in the week before Favre suddenly decided to tough it out despite the bad conditions. Favre was 5/7 for 63 yards, 1 TD and an INT with Minnesota trailing 10-7 when he left the game.

Minnesota was without All Pro running back Adrian Peterson, who sat out because of lagging leg injuries sustained in previous weeks. Yet another rookie, RB Toby Gerhart, got his chance to shine in the spotlight. It was his first career start, and he sure did show he can tough it out in the cold, running for 77 yards on 16 carries. It was actually Webb who got the ball in the end zone using his legs, though, as he used his speed to hit the corner of the end zone on a 13-yard run early in the second half.

Despite great efforts, Webb's two interceptions became too costly for Minnesota's offense, and Cutler's offense really showed up to play as he threw for three touchdowns.

Other than another spectacular defensive performance put up by Chicago, I think the real headline here may have to do with special teams.

Devin Hester, A.K.A. the "Return King," set an NFL record after he ran back a Minnesota punt 64 yards for a touchdown just three minutes in to the second half. The significance? It was Hester's 14th career kick/punt returned for a touchdown, setting the all-time NFL record for return touchdowns (punt/kick), breaking Brian Mitchell's record of 13. What I think is so great about this, is that Hester hasn't even completed his fifth season in the league yet, and it took Mitchell 14 years with the Eagles, Redskins and Giants to run back 13 kicks.

This truly is a spectacular feat, and although this is certainly a breakable record, I don't think it will ever be achieved as quick as Hester did this season. Funny thing is, Minnesota's fans were booing punter Chris Kluwe for continuously punting out of bounds in his previous punts. Well, Minnesota fans, you got what you want. I hope your happy now.

Congratulations, Chicago.

Photo Credit

Minnesota Fans: AP Photo/Hannah Foslien

Devin Hester: AP Photo/Andy King

Hall, Hester, or Cribbs? Take Your Pick

Far too many fans seem to take a solid special teams core for granted.

Yes, most of the scoring happens on offense. And, yes, the defense is actually the ones whose job it is to stop the opposing offense. But a great special teams unit is deadly.

Just think at how much better off the Baltimore Ravens were during the decade-plus that Matt Stover spent on the team. It was a rarity to see the guy miss a field goal. In my opinion, he was probably the most reliable kicker in history—modern history at least.

The punter is very much underrated as well, and is often taken for granted. If you can't pin the other team deep in to their own territory, they obviously have a much better chance to drive down the field.

It's common sense, people! Don't take special teams for granted.

Kicking and punting is most likely a bit too boring for those casual football fans. That's where return men like Dante Hall, Devin Hester, and Josh Cribbs come in.

Hall, ("The X-Factor"), now 31 and currently unemployed, was one of the most electrifying kick/punt returners in the game while with the Chiefs in the early 2000s. The two-time Pro Bowler returned six punts and six kicks for TDs during his nine year NFL career.

Hall was dethroned of the title "most electrifying return man" a couple years later when Hester, in his rookie campaign in '06, returned three punts and two kicks for TDs.

Hester topped that performance in his sophomore season with Chicago, returning four punts and two kicks
for TDs. Unfortunately, Hester hasn't returned a ball for a touchdown since then.

Both Hall and Hester had just two or three great seasons until they slowly faded away—most likely as a result from seeing less kicks come their way.

The two had burning speed and could change directions on a dime, making them tough to bring down. They also had very recognizable names.

Josh Cribbs, Cleveland's 27 year old WR/return specialist, is nothing like the others. Cribbs is built much larger (6'1", 215 lbs.), yet has the ability to change directions just as quickly.

His size allows him two options—he can either run through or around you. Defenders seem to underestimate his speed because of his powerful, bruising size.

In each of his five NFL seasons (all with the Browns), Cribbs has returned at least one kickoff for a touchdown, including three this past season (two in one game against Kansas City). This allowed Cribbs to set the all-time record for career KO returns for TDs with eight.

This is quite an accomplishment since Cribbs has played just five seasons so far. He set this record while returning a total of 265 kicks. It took Hall 426 kick returns to get to six career TDs.

So, while you guys may be choosing the flashy Hall or Hester (in their prime, of course), I will choose the overall more athletic—and consistent—Josh Cribbs, who very well may double his TD total by the end of his career.