Bears Execute Simple Plan

PONTIAC, Mich. â€”  Jim Miller gathered his teammates in the Silverdome tunnel before the game and told them it was time to dominate.

They did exactly that. And quickly.

Miller threw two first-quarter touchdown passes as the Bears rolled to a 24-0 victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

“We followed our plan,� said Miller, who was 17 for 30 for 252 yards, with two touchdowns and no interceptions. “On offense, defense and special teams, we can dominate like that. We’re just unhappy that we made a few mistakes because we could’ve put more points on the board.�

Chicago (12-3) has already locked up a playoff berth for the first time since 1994.

But the Bears still need either a victory over Jacksonville next week or a Green Bay loss at the New York Giants to win the NFC Central for the first time in 11 years and earn a first-round bye.

If Chicago and the Packers (11-4) tie, the Bears would play at home as a wild card in the first round because of their two losses to Green Bay.

Rosevelt Colvin, who had one of Chicago’s six sacks, said he’s not counting on the Packers losing.

“We’ve gotten what we wanted--we’re in control,� Colvin said. “We know that if we beat Jacksonville, we clinch the division and we’ll get to play someone in our house. That’s what we’ve wanted, and we can get it for ourselves.�

The Lions (1-14) are playing as if they want the season to end after winning two weeks ago, ensuring that they wouldn’t be the NFL’s first 0-16 team.

Detroit was shut out for the second time at home, the first time that’s happened since 1942, and could join a list of only six teams to finish 1-15.

Chicago was due for a methodical effort after its list of wild wins, which have featured fake field goals and two overtime victories after unlikely comebacks.

The Bears got off to a great start after being limited to only one offensive touchdown in four of the last five games.

Miller threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to a lunging D’Wayne Bates on the game’s first possession. Then Miller lobbed a 20-yard touchdown pass to David Terrell.

“We wanted to get it over quick, and we did,� Terrell said.

Paul Edinger’s 38-yard field goal gave the Bears a 17-0 lead with 5:47 left in the half. Walt Harris’ 39-yard interception return padded the lead to 24-0 with 2:12 to go.