NFL: Chicago at Minnesota (8:15 PM ET, NBC)
The winner of the Chicago and Minnesota game on Sunday night goes a game up on the other in the division standings. However, the contest is probably bigger for the Vikings
2008-11-28
The winner of the Chicago and Minnesota game on Sunday night goes a game up on the other in the division standings. However, the contest is probably bigger for the Vikings, as the Bears won the first meeting between the teams and own the better divisional record. In addition, Chicago plays its next three games at home while the Vikings hit the road for their next two. In other words, it could be do or die for HC Brad Childress’ team. Minnesota is a 3-1/2 point favorite.
The Vikings have gone just 2-7-1 ATS vs. NFC North foes in Childress’ tenure, including 0-4 in ’08. The Bears are 3-1 in divisional play and own an 11-6 ATS edge in their L17 trips to the Metrodome. They are also on a 25-10 ATS run in November road games and have gone 23-10 ATS vs. good rushing teams averaging >=130 RYPG since ‘92.
There isn’t a zero to be found in the boxscore from the game between the Bears and Vikings in Week 7 when the longtime rivals combined for 89 points—their most in 95 all-time meetings. Each team scored at least a touchdown in all four quarters, and they combined for 766 yards. The difference was turnovers: Minnesota committed five and Chicago only one.
Thirty-seven-year-old quarterback Gus Frerotte, in his second stint with the Vikings, was picked off four times by the Bears. Two weeks later he threw three interceptions against the Packers, including one Nick Collins returned for a score, but the defense and Adrian Peterson bailed him out in a 28-27 win. Frerotte has eight touchdowns and nine interceptions in the last five games, and his lack of mobility has led to 15 sacks over the same span.
Chicago’s defense will give Frerotte every opportunity to make plays downfield to Bobby Wade (team-high 39 catches) and Bernard Berrian, because containing Peterson is priority No. 1 even though opponents have thrown for 2,729 yards. In just over a year-and-a-half’s time the Bears have grown all too familiar with Peterson, who has 423 yards rushing and six touchdowns in three games against a unit that usually intimidates and preys on young backs. With 80 yards and a score in last week’s 30-12 victory at Jacksonville, the former Oklahoma star upped his league-leading rushing total to 1,180 yards.
The Vikings have the fourth-best rushing attack in the league, while the Bears moved up the ladder into the top 20 after gaining 201 yards in a 27-3 win in St. Louis. Rookie Matt Forte has done a commendable job while shouldering much of Chicago’s workload, rushing for 909 yards on 225 carries, but only two teams have fewer 20-yard runs than the Bears’ six.
The visitors should enjoy an edge on special teams. Danieal Manning and Devin Hester have the ability to break a long return at any time, and kicker Robbie Gould is 18-for-21 on field-goal attempts. Minnesota has given up four touchdowns on punt returns alone.
With three straight home games upcoming after this short trip, the Bears could take a big step toward the NFC North title with a win this week and deal the Vikings a major blow at the same time.
PREDICTION: One thing the Vikes did well in the first meeting was hold Forte to 56 yards on 20 carries. If they can do that again and Frerotte limits turnovers or eliminates them all together, they’ll avenge the loss. MINNESOTA 23, CHICAGO 16
NFL News
Click here to read latest NFL news