CHICAGO - The playoff-bound Detroit Lions avoided an embarrassing loss to Chicago after the Bears benched Jay Cutler for Jimmy Clausen.Now, they will try to secure their first division title in more than two decades.Joique Bell scored on a neat touchdown run in the fourth quarter, and the Lions overcame two interceptions by Matthew Stafford to beat the Bears 20-14 on Sunday.Its what you play the game for, Stafford said. You play the game to play extremely meaningful games in December. Theyll be excited for it. I know everybody in our locker room will be excited as well.None will be more meaningful than next weeks game at Green Bay, where the Lions havent won since 1991 and the NFC North will be decided.Chicago (5-10) benched Cutler days earlier, having seen enough after he led the NFL with 18 interceptions and 24 turnovers in the first year of a seven-year contract he signed in the off-season. They turned to the cast-off Clausen, who hadnt started a game since 2010.Stafford outplayed Clausen, but just barely. He completed 22 of 39 passes for 243 yards and hit the 4,000-yard mark for the fourth straight year, but it was hardly an easy afternoon for him.We stood tall, Bears coach Marc Trestman said. We played hard. Were not trying to sugar-coat it. We didnt win. Were here to win. But I felt our players were in it to win for four quarters today but Ive felt that way throughout the season. That hasnt changed.Ndamukong Suh had two sacks, and Calvin Johnson caught six passes for 103 yards. The Lions (11-4) make their second trip to the post-season in four years and third in 16 years after Philadelphias loss to Washington on Saturday.They were hoping to lock up their first division championship since 1993. But with the Packers beating Tampa Bay, the North will be decided in next weeks game.Here are some things we learned from this game:OVERCOMING ERRORS: It was far from a perfect performance by the Lions.Stafford threw interceptions in the end zone and near the goal line on back-to-back possessions in the second quarter with the Lions leading 7-0.Jeremy Ross muffed a punt near the end of the first half, leading to a touchdown for Chicago, and centre Dominic Raiola stepped on Chicago defensive tackle Ego Fergusons right ankle while he was on the ground early in the third quarter.Despite all that, the Lions came away with their highest win total since they went 12-4 in 1991.GAINING GROUND: The Lions might be getting their running game in order. They finished with a season-high 138 yards rushing, the fourth time theyve hit the 100-yard mark this season.Reggie Bush, whos been injured at times, ran for a touchdown and 54 yards. He added 44 yards receiving, and Detroit handed Chicago its fourth straight loss.CLAUSEN OR CUTLER?: The big question this week for the Bears will be one they never envisioned having to answer as long as Cutler was healthy. Who will start at quarterback? Will it be Clausen again?He completed 23 of 39 passes for 181 yards in his first start since his 2010 rookie season with Carolina. He threw touchdowns to Matt Forte and Alshon Jeffery and played turnover-free ball until a late interception by Glover Quin.YOUNG PLAYERS STEP UP: Even though Johnson had more than 100 yards, this was big improvement for Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller over their meeting on Thanksgiving. Johnson had 11 catches for 146 yards in that game to lead the Lions to an easy win.Rookie Brock Vereen also had his first career interception for Chicago when he picked off Stafford in the end zone in the second quarter.THE COLD NUMBERS: The Lions cleared one obstacle on Sunday — they won in the cold. The game-time temperature was 36, but the Lions came away with the win after dropping 18 straight including the playoffs when it was below 40.The last time they did that? Dec. 26, 1993, at Chicago.___Online: http://pro32.ap.org/poll and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL Nick Solak Rangers Jersey . You can, too, Clay Buchholz, if we ignore the sixth inning of Game 2. Doug Fister and Jake Peavy, youre up next in Game 4 and theres a lot to live up to. Fergie Jenkins Jersey . Erik Cole scored on a breakaway with 4:49 to play, and the Stars rallied to defeat the Minnesota Wild 4-3 on Saturday night. https://www.cheaprangersbaseball.com/292...ey-rangers.html. -- Miami Dolphins defensive co-ordinator Kevin Coyle defended the management style of coach Joe Philbin in the wake of the teams bullying scandal. Wholesale Rangers Jerseys . He was signed to help with depth to the receiving corps because of the loss of Shamawd Chambers to the 6-game injured list. Harold Baines Rangers Jersey . While the pair of Spain internationals return, midfielder Xavi Hernandez will not be included in the squad after failing to recover from a muscle strain to his left leg. CLEVELAND -- The Indians released right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka on Tuesday at his request, giving the Japanese veteran a chance to catch on with another team after failing to secure a spot in Clevelands rotation. Matsuzaka has spent the entire season at Triple-A Columbus after failing to win a spot in Clevelands rotation during spring training. After working through early season injuries, Matsuzaka has pitched well in recent weeks, going 4-4 with a 3.56 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 10 starts for the Clippers since July 2. But with the Indians rotation currently packed with solid starters, hes hoping to find work elsewhere for the stretch run. "We didnt have an immediate major league opportunity for Daisuke," Cleveland general manager Chris Antonetti said in the dugout in Anaheim before the Indians game against the Angels. "He had been throwing well in Triple-A, and thought that he may have a better opportunity elsewhere, so he asked for his release, and we granted it." Antonetti said he isnt certain whether Matsuzaka already has a new destination lined up, but he has been speaking regularly with Matsuzakas agent, Scott Boras. The Indians signed the 32-year-old Matsuzaka to a minor league deal in February after he spent six seasons with Boston, but Matsuzaka didnt make the 40-man roster. He was released before re-signing with Cleveland. "Early in the season, there were a number of things that went wrong physically, where he got pushed back, so he was never really a candidate tto pitch," said Indians manager Terry Francona, who also was Matsuzakas manager with the World Series-winning Red Sox in 2007.dddddddddddd "I dont know if its unfortunate," Francona added. "Its good for him to log innings for his career. Just giving him a chance to maybe go somewhere is good for him." Matsuzaka made an immediate splash with the Red Sox, winning 33 games and a World Series ring during his first two seasons after Boston won a lucrative competition for his services from Japans Seibu Lions. Matsuzaka has been slowed by elbow issues since 2009, and he won only 17 games over the past four seasons for the Red Sox. He underwent elbow ligament replacement surgery in 2011, returning to go 1-7 in 11 starts with Boston last season. His velocity was noticeably down at spring training with the Indians, and veteran Scott Kazmir beat him out for the fifth spot in Clevelands rotation. Matsuzaka then struggled with a strained oblique muscle while in the minors before returning to better form. The second-place Indians rotation looks sharp while they chase Detroit in the AL Central race. Justin Masterson, Zach McAllister, Ubaldo Jimenez, rookie Danny Salazar, Kazmir and injured right-hander Corey Kluber are all in front of Matsuzaka in the majors. "I think Daisuke is in a better spot now at the end of the year than he was at the beginning of the year," Antonetti said. "Hopefully he can get that major league opportunity and go help someone." ' ' '