• Bears teammates are pushing hard for Charles Tillman to make his first Pro Bowl in his ninth season. The 30-year-old cornerback has 28 career interceptions and 26 forced fumbles. Last week, he tied the franchise career record with his fourth interception return for a touchdown. Said linebacker Brian Urlacher: "[He] never has gotten the recognition he deserves."
• You know what they say about needing a running game to make the playoffs? Or at least that's what they used to say. The Lions aren't buying it either way. Detroit has the fourth-fewest rushes (206), ranks 27th in rushing and, well, doesn't care so long as a few efficiently placed runs take place here and there. "For what we do, we've done a decent job of running the ball," offensive guard Rob Sims told reporters.
• Lest we forget just how good Brett Favre really was when he was winning three straight league MVPs, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reminded us by comparing Aaron Rodgers' past 16 games to a 16-game stretch Favre had at a similar age during the 1995-96 seasons. Rodgers: 42 TDs, seven interceptions, 121.5 passer rating, 15-1 record (4-0 postseason). Favre: 49 TDs, seven interceptions, 119.1 rating, 14-2 record (2-1 postseason).
