After a less-than-pretty win over the Bills last week, the Chicago Bears welcome in Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings for the first of their two meetings this season. The Vikings are flying slightly higher after an overtime win against Arizona last weekend, but at 3-5 their margin for error is slim. Let's break it down!
(3-5) Minnesota Vikings at
(5-3) Chicago Bears
For Mike Martz and the Chicago offense, they're getting a mixed bag from the Vikings. The defensive line which is normally tenacious has been lacking this year. Normally Jared Allen would easily get the better of Frank Omiyale at left tackle, but it hasn't been a normal year for Allen. Jay Cutler will get his chances on drop-backs as long as there isn't another collapse of monumental proportions. Unfortunately, the pass rush for the Vikes has been slow but their run defense is just as stout as ever. With the Williams boys in the middle of the line, running Forte and Taylor to the outside is strongly advised. Olin Kreutz will start at center today despite some nagging injuries, but he never has his best days against Minnesota. They're too good in the middle.
Through the air the Bears could have the advantage. Pass coverage is not the Viking linebackers' strong suit and their corners aren't anything special. Safety Madieu Williams usually finds a way to make a play on the ball, so Cutler can't force throws his direction. Corners Antoine Winfield and Chris Cook are serviceable, but Cutler has multiple targets on the outside and third corner Lito Sheppard is not 100% coming into the game. If Martz can work it into his one-dimensional gameplan, Greg Olsen needs to be utilized over the middle to take advantage of the linebackers. Oh if only Mike could figure it out...
Oddly enough, the Bears match-up well with the Vikings on defense. Julius Peppers ate left tackle Bryant McKinnie alive last year when he was with the Panthers, so I'm sure he's frothing at the mouth for an opportunity to sack Brett Favre. Israel Idonije gets run-blocker Phil Loadholt on the right side, but Loadholt commits at least a few penalties a game, so don't forget about the other side. More than anyone else, the Bears must shut down Adrian Peterson early to get a win. If they can get help from the offense, Peterson will become less of a factor and won't be able to wear down Bear defenders as the game goes on. Peterson is so dangerous and his running style always gives the Bears fits, so let's avoid giving up record yardage today. Is that okay with you Lovie?
Receiver Sidney Rice won't play for the Vikings today, eliminating a down-field threat. However, Percy Harvin and Bernard Berrian will be on the field, which ensures the Bear corners (who will be minus Zack Bowman) will have their hands full. Tight end Visanthe Shiancoe manages to find the weak spots in Smith's cover-two, so Urlacher and the linebackers can't lose track of him, especially in the red zone. There's no need to give Favre an easy out, especially since he's been so prone to turning the ball over this year. Chicago needs at least two takeaways to get the win.
The Odds:
Minnesota is a ONE point road favorite. Bull!
Prediction:
Bears win. I'm calling it. (I hope.)
How many heart attacks will Joe suffer?
Six to eight. Also, every time Jay gets hit I die a little inside.
Message to the Bears:
Protect my quarterback and let him tear this Vikings secondary apart.
Bear down and happy Jay Cutler day!
