NFL: Bears cruise by Seahawks

The Chicago Bears are just one win away from the Super Bowl after easing by the Seattle Seahawks 35-24 in their NFC divisional playoff game today.

A Chicago win was never in doubt after they went out to a 28-0 lead midway through the second quarter, led by quarterback Jay Cutler who threw for two touchdowns and ran in two more in the victory.

The Bears will now host old rivals the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship game next Monday (NZT) for a spot in the Super Bowl.

The game will mark the 182nd match between the two rivals. The Bears last played in the Super Bowl in 2007 going down to the Indianapolis Colts.

Their last Super Bowl victory came in 1986, while the Packers won the NFL's biggest prize in their last visit to the Super Bowl in 1997.

The Packers booked their spot in the NFC title game with a convincing 48-21 win over top seeds the Atlanta Falcons yesterday.

- Herald online