Joe's Gameday Preview: Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings

If the upcoming Sunday night game between the Bears and Vikings is anything like their last meeting, expect fireworks in the Metrodome. In week seven, they combined for 89 points and over 750 yards of total offense. The difference maker was in the turnover column. Chicago only gave it away once, while Minnesota sent the Bears multiple gifts in the form of four interceptions and a fumble. Even with their horrendous ball protection, the Vikings closed the gap late and the Bears hung on in a shoot-out. This Sunday in Minnesota, the Bears have the perfect opportunity to regain first place in the NFC North with only one more divisional contest remaining. Adrian Peterson and the Vikings will be anxious to do the same. Each team sits at 6-5 atop the North and wants to make a lasting impression on the division race. 

Coming off a solid performance against the hapless Rams, the Chicago defense should have a boost in confidence as they step up in competition. Every little bit will help against a Vikings offense that put up 41 points on them despite turning it over five times. Chicago’s defense has been embarrassed on a number of occasions this season and has consistently failed to produce in their pass defense. That may not improve Sunday night, as cover corner Nathan Vasher is out indefinitely with a fractured right hand, as well as the re-aggravation of his prior thumb injury from this year. It’s been a miserable year for Vasher, who only has pulled in one interception in his eight games, a few of which he has exited early. Corey Graham is expected to fill-in at the position, bringing better run-stopping ability, but less developed cover skills. Safety Mike Brown’s calf injury is apparently nothing serious, as he is listed as probable on the injury report. Run defense will obviously be the primary focus against Adrian Peterson and the massive offense line of Minnesota as the Bears will forever attempt to ensure no more all-time records are set on their watch. This will open up things downfield for Vikings QB Gus Frerotte, whom the Bears will again challenge to be perfect in the passing game. The secondary will be hoping for a solid pass rush this week, as it could lead to another fun-filled day of Frerotte interceptions.

If the Bears offense is going to exploit the Vikings defense, it will be through the passing game. The tandem of Kevin and Pat Williams (no relation) at defensive tackle is the best set of interior defensive linemen in football against the run. Adding the pass-rush of Jared Allen coming off the end equals an intimidating wall for opposing offenses. Kyle Orton’s ankle has had another week to heal up and he has still fully participated in practice. Orton has to come out firing against the Vikings’ suspect secondary in order to free up Matt Forte and the ground attack. In order to fully utilize Forte, Lovie Smith and Ron Turner must place an emphasis on running sweeps and tosses to the outside to avoid the Williams boys. I don’t believe they’ll really commit to that strategy, but it’d be nice if they tried once or twice. Expect a lot of running for the sake of running, probably off the center or the guard right into one of the hefty defensive tackles. That’s the norm for Lovie Smith, so why deviate? Can you tell how frustrated I am with this coaching staff’s ineptitude at making adjustments? I hope so; otherwise I’m considering branding the sentiment on my forehead. 

Both of these teams have been wildly inconsistent except for specific areas. For the Bears, Kyle Orton has been a steadying presence. Adrian Peterson has carried the Vikings on his shoulders all season. The rest of these squads must bring their “A” game this Sunday night on national television. Whichever team can rise to the occasion will be a step closer to another national showcase in January.