Going into Monday night's game between the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears, gamblers knew for sure of only three teams they would have betting options on going into the playoffs. The New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons, and Pittsburgh Steelers were the only teams having clinched a playoff berth.

That changed late Monday when Devin Hester helped the Bears clinch the NFC North. Chicago dominated the Vikings in all phases of the game, and now Chicago has become a division champion for the third time in the past six season's.

Hester has been much maligned as a wide receiver, as has his quarterback Jay Cutler. On Monday, the two players dazzled football fans across the country while serving notice that the Bears may be a team to watch when the playoffs start. All year, Chicago has had to listen to critics say they would fall apart, yet the team never crumbled.

Hester made his mark on the game Monday when he returned a punt sixty-four yards for a touchdown in the third quarter, The return touchdown was the fourteenth of Hester's career, a new NFL record. The former Miami Hurricanes star has been the premiere returner in the game since he entered the NFL.

Cutler is a player that has driven gamblers crazy over the years. When he is on, Cutler looks as good as any quarterback in the league, and that leads bettors to jump on his bandwagon. Those same gamblers, however, have had to endure some of the most frustrating losses as well.

Having a wild card like Cutler and the Bears in the playoffs will make it difficult on odds makers. When the Bears have looked good this season, they have appeared strong enough to beat any team in the league. Blowout losses at the hands of the Giants and Patriots have showed how bad Chicago can look.

The upcoming week should go a long way in revealing what other teams join the Patriots, Steelers, Bears, and Falcons in the playoffs. The Jets, Ravens, Eagles, Giants, and Saints all could clinch playoff spots with wins this week. The Chiefs can clinch the AFC West with a win and a Chargers loss.