Vikings At Bears: Northern Desperation

Filed under: Bears, Vikings, NFC North, Chicago, Minnesota

To get you ready for week 6, FanHouse is previewing all of this week’s NFL games. Here is the Minnesota Vikings-Chicago Bears preview.

2007 Records:

Minnesota Vikings: 1-3 (4th in NFC North)
Chicago Bears: 2-3 (3rd in NFC North)

Last Game:

Vikings - bye
Bears 27, Packers 20

When the Vikings have the ball: Brad Childress still hasn’t decided on a starting quarterback between Tarvaris Jackson and Kelly Holcomb. Whichever man gets the call, the key to success will come on the ground. The Bears gave up 121 yards on the ground against the anemic Packer backs last week. The Vikings come much stronger with the troika of Adrian Peterson, Chester Taylor and Mewelde Moore and will ride the threesome as far is it takes them. The Bears couldn’t load the box with an extra man against the Packers because of Brett Favre but with Darwin Walker out and the Vikings reliant on the run they may have to come up with a new scheme. Even if they do, Minnesota must keep running the ball because 12 sacks allowed and six interceptions speak to how much bad happens when they do put the ball in the air.

When the Bears have the ball: The Bears won’t be following Minnesota’s blueprint. Cedric Benson is averaging only three yards a carry and the Vikings have the league’s best defense against the run. That’s going to put the pressure on the Bears passing game which isn’t such a bad thing. Brian Griese discovered the matchup nightmare that is Greg Olsen last Sunday and he should find more success against a below-average Minnesota secondary this weekend. They do rush the passer well so it will be incumbent on the line to give Griese the time to make things happen downfield. With John Tait doubtful with an ankle injury that’s not going to be easy.

The Edge: Whenever the ball is being put in the air, regardless of which team is throwing it, the Bears have a major advantage. Assuming they don’t get eviscerated by the Viking running game, that should be enough for them to hold off Minnesota for a second straight win.

Keep an eye on:

Mistakes - The Bears are accustomed to shooting themselves in the foot with them but they forced five turnovers in last week’s win. The Vikings make some mistakes on offense but force them on defense so this week’s outing will hinge on which team makes less. This includes kicking to Devin Hester, a major no-no for any team but especially a Vikings squad that needs the game to be close to pull out a win.

Bryant McKinnie - He must control Mark Anderson (four sacks this season) by himself so the rest of the protection isn’t compromised. If he can, the Vikings will have time to throw the ball and, perhaps, take advantage of the injury-depleted Bear defensive backfield. If he needs help, however, the Bears could pressure Jackson or Holcomb into a bushel of errors in the passing game.

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