Plan on NFC playoffs going through Windy City

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- So that settles it.

The only team in the NFC that's a threat to the Chicago Bears is the Chicago Bears, but even then they should have enough ammunition -- OK, enough defense and special-teams play -- to overcome themselves.

Rex Grossman has the support of Lovie Smith through rain or shine. (US PRESSWIRE)

They did Sunday, recovering from a 13-3 hole to defeat the New York Giants and take another step toward nailing down the home-field advantage for the playoffs. That's right, I said the home-field advantage.

I know it's mid-November, but tell me how Chicago doesn't reach the postseason. There's a better chance of Vin Diesel winning an Oscar.

Take a look at the schedule. There's not a team within their division that's a threat to the Bears, and there are only two opponents -- the New York Jets and New England -- with winning records. More important, the combined record of their last five opponents is 16-28.

Now, that's how I want to reach the playoffs. On a roll.

And that's where the Bears are after Sunday's improbable 38-20 defeat of the New York Giants, made possible when rookie Devin Hester returned a missed field goal 108 yards for a touchdown.

If that sounds familiar, it should. It was the Bears' Nathan Vasher who returned a botched field goal for 108 yards a year ago.

"I probably would've stayed if (the Giants) had come at me," said Hester, who hesitated before running out of the end zone. "But it seemed kind of like they were walking off the field ... like it was over."

It was over all right, with Hester pulling an instant replay of a Vasher's TD -- a return the Bears call a "bench alert" -- to bury the Giants. The only difference is that this time his special teams coach was yelling from the sidelines to stay in the end zone. Fortunately, Hester didn't pay attention.

"It's a great chance to make the Hall of Fame," he said of tying Vasher. "Hopefully, they'll put both of us up there in the same picture."

Hester ... Vasher ... what's the difference? The Bears gain points from unexpected areas, which is why they're alone at the top of the NFC. Face it, they should've lost to Arizona. But they didn't, thanks to two scores by their defense and a game-winning TD by Hester.

They could've lost Sunday, too, but they didn't. They overcame three early turnovers -- two of which led to Giants scores -- to go two up over their NFC competition. OK, so it's two up over New Orleans. They're three ahead of Seattle and the Giants, both of whom they defeated.