The Chicago Bears desperately needed a spark, and it figured that Devin Hester would be the one to deliver.

Sure, Robbie Gould kicked a 39-yard field goal in overtime and the defending NFC champions gave their flickering playoff hopes a boost with a 37-34 victory over the visiting Denver Broncos yesterday.

True, Bernard Berrian made a spectacular touchdown catch at the end of regulation. But Hester's two touchdown returns in the second half — a 75-yard punt return and 88-yard kickoff return — woke up a team that seemed to be asleep on the field.

That's why Denver's Dre Bly said, "I feel like we single-handedly got beat by one guy."

Of course, there was more to it than Hester.

After scoring two touchdowns in the final 5:17 of regulation, the Bears (5-6) won the coin toss to start overtime. They drove from their 24 to the Denver 18, where Rex Grossman took a knee. Gould then came in and delivered the game-winner, 3:41 into OT, bringing a dramatic game to a finish.

Denver (5-6) was up 34-20 early in the fourth quarter after an acrobatic 14-yard touchdown catch by Tony Scheffler, but the Bears weren't finished.

Charles Tillman blocked a punt and Brandon McGowan recovered, giving Chicago the ball on the Broncos' 18. That led to a 4-yard touchdown run by Adrian Peterson, who was pushed in by his teammates in a scrum.

More drama followed.

With their playoff hopes perhaps hanging by a thread, the Bears tied it with 28 seconds left in regulation on a 3-yard catch by Berrian that figures to show up on highlight reels. Berrian spun away from Champ Bailey and lunged to catch the pass from Grossman on the right side of the end zone, his right foot dragging as his left knee hit the ground in bounds. The play was reviewed and the call on the field upheld.

The TD capped a 65-yard drive that Denver's Bly kept alive with an illegal contact on fourth down at the Chicago 36. Grossman connected with Rashied Davis and Muhsin Muhammad for 21- and 13-yard completions that helped set up the touchdown.

VIKINGS 41, GIANTS 17

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — With older brother Peyton watching in the stands, Darren Sharper, Dwight Smith and Chad Greenway picked off passes by Eli Manning and returned them for touchdowns.

Sharper scored on a 20-yard return, Smith rumbled 93 yards and Greenway followed from 37 yards just a few plays later. The Vikings set a team single-game record for interception returns for touchdowns.

The Vikings (5-6) nearly had a fourth return in handing the Giants (7-4) their second loss in the last three games. Smith returned a second-quarter interception 19 yards to the Giants' 8, setting up a touchdown run by Chester Taylor.

SEAHAWKS 24, RAMS 19

ST. LOUIS — Rams backup quarterback Gus Frerotte fumbled the snap on fourth-and-goal from the Seattle 1 with 27 seconds left, allowing the Seahawks to hold on.

Frerotte picked up the loose ball but was tackled at the 5, ending a last-ditch drive and the Rams' modest two-game winning streak after an 0-8 start.

Seattle (7-4) won its third straight by rallying for 17 unanswered second-half points.

CHARGERS 32, RAVENS 14

SAN DIEGO — LaDainian Tomlinson reached another milestone and the Chargers got a much-needed win. Tomlinson had a quiet day until his 36-yard run early in the third quarter pushed the reigning league MVP past 10,000 career yards rushing, making him the 23rd player in NFL history to reach the milestone and the third in less than a month.

The Chargers (6-5) won for the fifth time in seven games following their shocking 1-3 start.

The Ravens (4-7) lost their franchise-record fifth straight.

BUCS 19, REDSKINS 13

TAMPA, Fla. — Ronde Barber became Tampa Bay's all-time interceptions leader (32) with 3:40 remaining and Brian Kelly picked off Jason Campbell's throw in the end zone with 17 seconds left.

The turnovers were the fifth and sixth forced by Tampa Bay's defense, which also recovered four fumbles to set up a touchdown and three field goals in the first half.

Tampa Bay (7-4) played most of the day without quarterback Jeff Garcia, who injured his back on the first play and remained on the sideline until Washington (5-6) pulled within a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

JAGUARS 36, BILLS 14

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Fred Taylor ran for a season-high 104 yards and a touchdown, and Josh Scobee kicked five field goals. It was the Jaguars' third consecutive win and kept them in the thick of the AFC playoff picture.

The Jaguars (8-3) probably need to beat Indianapolis next week to have a shot at the AFC South title.

The Bills (5-6) were hoping to rebound from a 56-10 drubbing against New England.

BROWNS 27, TEXANS 17

CLEVELAND — Derek Anderson threw two touchdown passes, Jamal Lewis rushed for 134 yards and a TD, and Kellen Winslow had 10 catches as the Browns improved their playoff profile.

With their fifth straight victory at home and fifth in six games overall, the Browns (7-4) stayed within striking distance of first-place Pittsburgh in the AFC North and among the wild-card contenders. The Texans are 5-6.

RAIDERS 20, CHIEFS 17

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Justin Fargas and LaMont Jordan each rushed for a touchdown and the defense came up with a big stop on fourth down, snapping a 17-game losing streak in the division for Oakland (3-9).

Oakland hadn't beaten anybody in its division since a 25-24 squeaker over Denver on Nov. 28, 2004, the longest ongoing streak of divisional futility in the NFL.

Kansas City (4-7) got a huge day from rookie Kolby Smith, who rushed for 150 yards and two touchdowns.

BENGALS 35, TITANS 6

CINCINNATI — Chad Johnson had a career-high 12 catches, set the Cincinnati record for career receptions (537), and scored three touchdowns against the fast-fading Titans (6-5). The Bengals are 4-7.

SAINTS 31, PANTHERS 6

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Drew Brees shook off a slow start to throw for 260 yards and three touchdowns and ran for another score as the Saints (5-6) stayed competitive in the NFC South race. The Panthers (4-7) lost their fourth straight game.