That means the Vikings' stout run defense will be intact for meetings with two teams that run the ball well -- the Atlanta Falcons and New York Giants -- in the final two weeks. That's not good for the Bears, right?

''You want people to be at full strength,'' center Olin Kreutz said. ''And if they were only taking a diuretic, then they probably shouldn't be suspended. They have a tough-enough schedule as it is, and if they win out, they deserve to win the division. Whatever happens with that case, I can't worry about that.''

Most of the Bears believe they are where they are -- needing to make up two games on the Vikings -- because they didn't take care of business against them. The only thing they can control is their own work at this point.

''I don't make a lot into it,'' coach Lovie Smith said. ''Just don't see how it affects us much right now. We say we still control our own destiny. We're just trying to get a win each week. That's occupying all of our time.''

It's evident the players have a different code when it comes to matters of their livelihoods and the livelihoods of others.

''I'm always for the players,'' cornerback Charles Tillman said.

FREEZE PLAY

Kicker Robbie Gould's 35-yard field goal in overtime Thursday was his sixth career game-winner. He didn't mind New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton burning a timeout just before he tried his first kick from that distance.

''I like it,'' Gould said. ''I get an opportunity to get a warmup kick in, but also see and judge exactly how the wind is blowing. For me, I wish every coach would do that and give me the opportunity. They say 'ice,' but I don't think it really works.''

Gould's nine points gave him 105 for the season, making him the first player in Bears history to top 100 points in three consecutive seasons.

OH, SNAP

Kreutz said he mixed up the snap count on the fumble at the 1-yard line that led to the Saints' first touchdown. Kreutz thought the play was on one but it was on two, as evidenced by the fact he was the only player who moved.

SIGN HERE

Running back Garrett Wolfe was placed on injured reserve Friday, five days after a pulled hamstring sidelined him. The move made room for linebacker Gilbert Gardner, who finished second on the Tennessee Titans in special-teams tackles last year. Gardner was placed on injured reserve in October by the Detroit Lions but had only tweaked his knee and didn't receive an injury settlement.