The Green Bay Packers scored a late touchdown to seal a 33-28 win over the Chicago Bears and book their place in the post-season playoffs.
The result ensures that the Packers finish top the NFC North, and will face the San Francisco 49ers in the wildcard round of the playoffs next weekend.
Wide receiver Randall Cobb scored two touchdowns on his return from a broken leg, including the game-winning score inside the final minute.
Read how all the action unfolded below:
Good evening! It's around half an hour until the Green Bay Packers take on the Chicago Bears for a place in the post-season. Let's take a look at the inactives for both teams...
BEARS INACTIVES! Palmer, Long, Brown, Scott, Bennett, Williams, Washington
PACKERS ACTIVES! Harper, Rolle, Matthews, Jones, Taylor, Tretter, Wilson
The big loss for the Packers this week has been linebacker Clay Matthews. He's an integral part of their defense, but broke his thumb for the second time this season while sacking Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger last Sunday, and underwent surgery earlier this week, so he's on the sidelines. They could have him healthy in time to play in the Super Bowl, should they get that far.
Probably the most notable absence for the Bears is wide receiver Earl Bennett, who has four touchdowns this season. However, with Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery both in strong form this season, the home side should be able to cope without him.
The Packers have been hit badly with injuries this season, but welcome back two of their key offensive players for this game. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the highest paid player in the league, returns after breaking his collarbone against the Bears earlier in the season, while wide receiver Randall Cobb also plays after recovering from a fracture leg.
While the Packers are looking to reach the playoffs for their fifth season in a row, the Bears have made the post-season just once in their last five attempts.
Welcome back 18! Randall Cobb running out for warmups. #GBvsCHI pic.twitter.com/9waP3jQryL
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) December 29, 2013
The Bears had looked like the early favourites in the NFC North, but they've had injury problems of their own. Starting quarterback Jay Cutler has been sidelined with groin and ankle injuries while Pro Bowl cornerback Charles Tillman struggled with a tripceps injury early in the season before eventually being placed in injured reserve.
Offensively, the teams have been pretty evenly matched this season. The Packers has averaged just 11 more yards per game. Aaron Rodgers has 2218 passing yards and 15 touchdowns from eight games, while Cutler has 2395 yards and 17 touchdowns with two more appearances.
PREDICTION! With just a few minutes until the game is due to get underway, let's go for a prediction. The Bears have already beaten the Packers once this season, but that was with Aaron Rodgers sidelined for much of the game. Assuming the quarterback has fully recovered, he should make a big difference for the visitors. I'm going for a Green Bay win by five points.
WEATHER! The weather conditions should have a role to play in this fixture. A mix of rain and snow are forecast in Chicago. It's something both teams should be used to at this time of year though.
The Packers won the toss and chose to defer, to the Bears will receive the opening kickoff.
KICKOFF! Mason Crosby gets the game underway by kicking the ball downfield to Devin Hester.
It's a good kick return from Hester, bringing it out just short of midfield. However, Cutler needs three yards on third down, but his pass intended for Jeffrey is incomplete, so they bring on the punt team.
Rodgers will have to wait to take his first snap in almost two months as the Bears have challenged the call following the punt. The officials call it a touchback, but Bears head coach Marc Trestman believes that his team got it down at the one-yard line.
Rodgers starts with a toss out wide for rookie running back Eddie Lacy brings past the Green Bay 40-yard line, before carrying it over midfield. Thus is looking like a strong opening drive for the Packers.
Lacy is held up by Corey Wootton, leaving the Packers facing third down on the Bears' 45-yard line, but Rodgers manages to find Jordy Nelson to keep the drive alive.
The Bears think that they've managed to stop Nelson on the next play, but Frey is penalised for holding, moving the Packers to the edge of the red zone. This has been a very tidy start to the game by Rodgers and the Green Bay offense.
INTERCEPTION! Rodgers looks for Boykin in the end zone, but his pass goes astray, and ends up in the hands of Chris Conte for the first interception of the game.
So no score for either side from their first drives of the game. So far, the Packers have looked the sharper of the two teams, but the Bears defense managed to hurry Rodgers and force the mistake and interception to get the ball back. Incidentally, it is now snowing a little bit at Soldier Field, so that might start to make the ball a little slippy.
Cutler connects with Brandon Marshall for the team's first first down of the game. It'll be a long drive though, as that only gets them to their own 32.
Matt Forte breaks loose for a big gain on the run, before Marshall hauls in a 37-yard catch at the Green Bay 8.
INJURY UPDATE! The Bears will be without tackle Jordan Mills after he picked up a foot injury on the Bears first drive.
TOUCHDOWN! Packers 0-7 Bears (Forte)
Cutler spots the running back open out wide, getting the ball to him with a lateral pass, before Forte took it over in the corner. Robbie Gould, who this week became the NFL's highest paid kicker ever, adds the extra point.
The Packers offense comes back on the field ready to put the interception that ended their previous drive behind them. James Starks come into the game, and has carries from the first two plays, but comes up short of the first down. Needing one yard on third down, the running back smashes his way through the Bears defense to get the first down.
END OF FIRST QUARTER! Green Bay Packers 0-7 Chicago Bears
Rodgers makes a big play to get the Packers into a strong field position, picking out on open Jordy Nelson for a 53-yard gain. It's a stunning catch by the wide receiver too.
INTERCEPTION! Rodgers looks for Nelson again, but the pass is too high, and he tips it into the hands of Tim Jennings for the Bears' second interception of the game.
The Bears can't capitalise on their defense's big play, as it's a quick three and out for the NFC North leaders. This is just the 10th game that Rodgers has thrown multiple interceptions in, and the second time that it's happened against the Bears.
The Packers do seem insistent on making things difficult for themselves this evening as Hyde muffs the punt return, but his teammates manage to recover it at their own 36-yard line.
The Packers stick with the running game for the start of their drive, but needing five yards on three down, Nelson darts out wide to haul in a pass near the sideline and secures the first down.
SACK! Aaron Rodgers is brought down for the first time today, but Shea McClellin, who provided the hit that broke the quarterback's collarbone last month, is flagged for unnecessary roughness, giving the Packers a fresh set of downs.
Rodgers tries to find Nelson on the edge of the end zone, but it's incomplete, so Mason Crosby will come on for a field goal attempt.
FIELD GOAL! Packers 3-7 Bears (Crosby)
Crosby's effort from 33 yards is good, getting the Packers on the board. The kicker has been impressive this season after coming under fire last year. Assuming his doesn't miss two field goal attempts in this game, he'll trigger a clause in his contract earning him an $800,000 bonus for accuracy.
Devin Hester fumbles on the kickoff return but Jennings manages to recover it. However, a penalty means the Bears will have to start at their own 10-yard line.
SACK! Cutler is brought down for a loss of two after tight end Martellus Bennett is bundled out of the way. The Bears can't recover, resulting in another three and out.
The Packers will start their next drive from a strong field position after Podlesh's punt only goes for 31 yards, leaving the Packers inside Bears territory.
Lacy tries to leadfrog over Jenning to keep him run alive, but his trailling leg strikes the cornerback in the side of the helmet, so there'll be a pause while the 30-year-old is tended to. He's already made a couple of big plays today, including an interception, so the Bears will be hoping that he isn't concussed.
TOUCHDOWN! Packers 10-7 Bears (Boykin)
It's a touchdown that had the officials double checking their rule books! Rodgers is hit from behind by Peppers while waiting to make the pass, resulting in the ball coming loose. The coaches shout to Jarrett Boykin to pick it up and take it onto the end zone, and after a lengthy review, the officials rule that Rodgers fumbled, so Boykin was allowed to make the recovery and take it in for the score. Crosby adds the extra point.
TWO MINUTE WARNING! The Bears offense comes back onto the field as they looks to regain the lead. Cutler hands the ball off to Forte and Bush to take the clock down to the two minute warning.
FUMBLE! Cutler gets the ball to Jeffrey for the first down, but a big hit from Hawk shakes the ball loose. Burnett picks it up before passing it laterally to Shields, who brings it out to the Chicago 28. That's a huge play for the Packers! Their offense will come back on with a great field position and enough time to increase their lead before half time.
Rodgers throws an incompletion for Nelson, but the wide receiver manages to haul it in inside the 10-yard line on the next play to leave the Packers bearing down on the end zone.
Rodgers has another couple of goes at finding the end zone for the Packers' second touchdown of the game, but he can't find his target on third down, so Crosby will come on for another go at the posts.
FIELD GOAL! Packers 13-7 Bears (Crosby)
Crosby's good form continues as he easily splits the uprights with the 27-yard effort.
END OF SECOND QUARTER: Green Bay Packers 13-7 Chicago Bears
So the Packers head into the break six points ahead thanks to a couple of Mason Crosby field goals and a bizarre offensive fumble recovered for a touchdown by Jarrett Boykin.
Let's take a look at some of the half-time stats. Aaron Rodgers had 14 completed passes from 22 attempts for 145 yards, as well as two interception. Meanwhile, Jay Cutler had just six completed passes for 70 yards, including a touchdown to Matt Forte.
Mason Crosby's second field goal has taken him over 900 points in his NFL career. With the extra point kick, he has seven of the Packers' 13 points so far today.
Don't forget, you can read half time reports from all of the games currently underway as they reach the end of their second quarters, and also see reports from the earlier games on our dedicated NFL page.
KICKOFF! Robbie Gould gets the third quarter underway.
The Bears' defense makes a solid start to the second half, holding the Packers up short on third down to force a quick three and out.
Hester receives the punt at the Chicago 21, but shows his phenomenal pace down the sideline to move the ball to the Green Bay 30.
Matt Forte carries the ball for a first down to move the Bears into the red zone. This is the first time that the Bears have really tested the Packers since the opening touchdown.
TOUCHDOWN! Packers 13-14 Bears (Forte)
Cutler hands the ball off to Forte again, and the running back darts into the end zone from five yards out for his second touchdown of the game.
Lacy gets the Packers off to a quick start with a 17-yard dash. Starks takes over at running back and manages to slip past the Bears' guard to pick up 41 yards, moving the Packers to the Chicago 13. This has been quick progress for the Packers.
TOUCHDOWN! Packers 20-14 Bears (Cobb)
After a short gain by James Jones, Rodgers finds Randall Cobb for the first time today, with the wide receiver leaping high to bring the ball in for the score. It doesn't look like that broken leg from earlier in the season is causing him any problems. Crosby swiftly adds the extra.
INJURY UPDATE: The Bears have confirmed that safety Major Wright is being assessed for a concussion.
Cutler finds Alshon Jeffrey with a superb 67-yard pass. The wide receiver looks for the end zone and is tackles by Sam Shields just short, but it looks like his momentum may have carried him over. However, the officials rule that he was short, so the Bears have taken a timeout to decide whether to challenge.
TOUCHDOWN! Packers 20-21 Bears (Forte)
The Bears decide against challenges, but is doesn't matter, as Forte manages to force his way over from one yard out for his third touchdown of the game. It's the fifth time that the lead has changed hands today.
As the Packers looks to regain the lead, Rodgers quickly picks up the first down by tossing it to Nelson for an 18-yard gain, which also takes the wide receiver over 100 receiving yards for the day.
INJURY UPDATE! After undergoing a concussion evaluation, Major Wright has been able to return to the game for the Bears.
After a couple of incompletions and a carry for no gain from Lacy, the Packers' drive stalls, so the visitors punt the ball back to Chicago, who have a chance to leave the Packers needing a two-point conversion if they can get a touchdown on this drive.
Forte has been just outstanding in this game. He carries the ball across midfield for the first down, before a 33-yard sprint moves them to the Green Bay 8. The Packers are ready for him on the next play though, holding him up short of the end zone.
While Forte was looking for the end zone, Packers linebacker Boyd was injured while forcing the running back out of bounds.
END OF THIRD QUARTER: Green Bay Packers 20-21 Chicago Bears
So after three quarter, there is very little between the two sides. Neither have been able to open up a lead of more than a score, but the Bears will resume bearing down on the Packers end zone for a chance to do just that.
TOUCHDOWN! Packers 20-28 Bears (Marshall)
With the first play of the fourth quarter, Cutler finds Brandon Marshall with a five-yard pass into the end zone. The wide receiver, who has had a quiet day by his standards, has to be at full stretch to take the ball and get his feet in bounds, but he does it well to give Chicago an eight-point advantage.
Jordy Nelson continued to be Aaron Rodgers' favourite target, as the quarterback picks him out with a 34-yard pass.
Tight end Andrew Quareless hauls in a crazy catch, taking a 22-yard toss from Rodgers while falling down to put the visitors in the red zone.
TOUCHDOWN! Packers 27-28 Bears (Lacy)
Eddie Lacy tricks the Bears defense with a quick change of direction to run the ball in from six yards out. With plenty of time still on the clock, the Packers decide to take a extra point kick rather than go for two, so they'll need to make sure the defense gets a stop on the next drive.
Forte continued to get the better of the Packers' defense, picking up 15 yards on the run before Marquess Wilson gets another first down to move Chicago to the Green Bay 38.
The Packers get their defensive line organised to bring up third down, but then take a timeout to give themselves longer to plan their. play. Cutler tries to get the Bears out of trouble with a deep pass to Jeffrey, but solid coverage from Shield forces the wide receiver to spill the catch.
Lacy picks up a few yards, but is short of the first down, but fullback Kuhn manages to add the extra inches needed for a fresh set. Green Bay are still deep inside their own territory though.
TWO MINUTE WARNING! Rodgers keeps the ball and scrambles for another first down, before picking out Nelson as the Packers close in on midfield. Green Bay won't want to go too quickly though, they need to make sure that the Bears don't have time to come back if they do manage to regain the lead on this drive.
The Bears defense make it tricky for Rodgers to find his open receivers. Quarless is short while trying to haul in a deep pass, while Nelson it being too well covered, bringing up forth down. The Packers leave their offense on the field on looks for Nelson again, but the play is flagged, so he'll have another chance.
TOUCHDOWN! Packers 33-28 Bears (Cobb)
Rodgers goes all-or-nothing on fourth down and just manages to escape the sack to send a deep ball towards the end zone, where Randall Cobb is in bags of space to take his second touchdown reception of the day. The Packers try for a two-point conversion, but the pass is batted down, but that should be enough for the Packers to seal a place in the playoffs, barring a last-gasp Hail Mary play from the Bears.
Hester gets the Bears off to a good start, bringing the ball out to the Chicago 40. The Bears still have two timeouts, so should be able to get themselves in a position to have a shot at the end zone.
Cutler looks deep for Jeffrey, who was rapidly closing on the end zone, but Burnett was able to hit it away. Marshall tries a similar move on the next play, but he can't hold on, bringing up third down.
INTERCEPTED! Cutler launches it deep yet again with his last chance, looking for Marshall, but Shields gets his hands to it first, sealing the win for the Packers and sending them to the playoffs.
END OF FOURTH QUARTER! Green Bay Packers 33-28 Chicago Bears
GREEN BAY PACKERS SEAL NFC NORTH TITLE!
The returns of Aaron Rodgers and Randall Cobb see the Packers into the post-season for the fifth year in the row. Rodgers showed little sign of the collarbone injury which sidelined him for seven games, making a series of impressive deep passes, while Cobb remains a constant red zone threat.
It's a bitter disappointment for the Bears. They've been near the lead in the division all season, but have fallen at the last hurdle. With quarterback Jay Cutler out of contract at the end of the season, he may very well have played his final game in Chicago colours.
The Packers won't get a bye week, but they will be at home against either the San Francisco 49ers or the New Orleans Saints next week, depending on the outcome of San Francisco's game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Well, the 49ers have sealed the win, so they will travel to Lambeau Field to face the Packers in the wildcard round of the playoffs. That's all from this game, but stick around for reports from all of today's game, and join us again shortly for coverage of the NFC East showdown between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys. Until then, thanks for joining me this evening, goodbye.
