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NFC North Notebook: Packers clinch playoff berth, Bell benched in 1st quarter

Every Monday and Friday, theScore's NFL editors will bring you a roundup of everything you need to know from around the division with the NFC North Notebook.

Detroit Lions

Bell benched in first quarter. Running back Joique Bell was glued to the bench during the first quarter of Sunday's victory over the Chicago Bears for violating team rules.

Bell made the most of his time on the field, amassing a team-leading 74 rushing yards and scoring the game winning touchdown.

NFL could discipline Raiola for stomp. The NFL may punish Lions center Dominic Raiola for stomping on the ankle of Bears defensive tackle Ego Ferguson.

Raiola, for his part, claims the stomp was unintentional.

Lions/Packers flexed. Next week's game between the Lions and Packers has been shifted from 1 p.m. ET to 4:25 p.m. ET.

Green Bay Packers

Packers clinch a playoff berth. The Packers stamped their ticket to the postseason with an easy 20-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Packers can capture the NFC North title with a win against the Lions next week.

Rodgers suffers calf injury. MVP candidate Aaron Rodgers strained his calf during Sunday's game. He also apparently played with the flu.

"I'll be OK for next week," Rodgers said.

Matthews, Peppers throw a sack party. Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers were a nightmarish one-two punch of pain Sunday, combining for 4.5 of the Packers seven sacks of Bucs' quarterback Josh McCown.

Minnesota Vikings

Greenway heard pop in knee. Uh oh. Minnesota Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway said he heard a pop in his knee during Sunday's loss to the Dolphins.

Pass rush quiet vs. Dolphins. The Vikings' pass rush, looking to feast on a Dolphins line that allowed 10 sacks in their previous two games, was only able to sack Ryan Tannehill twice, and pressured him on just 13 of 49 dropbacks.

Bridgewater shining in final weeks. Teddy Bridgewater continued his strong finish to the season Sunday, completing 19-of-26 passes for 259 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. The rookie quarterback has completed 73 percent of his passes in his last four games. 

Chicago Bears

Young reportedly tears Achilles. Bears defensive end Willie Young reportedly tore his Achilles tendon during Sunday's loss to the Detroit Lions.

Harbaugh headed to Bears? According to Fox Sports' Jay Glazer, Chicago is a possible landing spot for Jim Harbaugh next season.

Gould calls Cutler a 'scapegoat'. Bears kicker Robbie Gould doesn't agree with head coach Marc Trestman's decision to bench Jay Cutler.

"To be honest with you, I feel really bad for Jay," Gould said. "When you're having a tough season like this, he's not the guy to be the scapegoat or the guy to blame." 

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