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ESPN.com: Bears | [Print without images] |
| Quarterback | |
|---|---|
| Jay Cutler put on an inspiring performance in Chicago’s loss to the Detroit Lions and needs to continue to produce despite the team’s struggles in protection. Cutler is currently on pace to throw for 3,868 yards, which would be a franchise record. Donovan McNabb ranks fourth all-time in touchdown-to-interception ratio (2-to-1) and sixth in quarterback rushing yardage (3,459). Although McNabb’s skills are declining, he’s still a formidable foe to defend. |  |
| Running Backs | |
| Matt Forte has gained 150 yards or more from scrimmage in seven of his last nine games dating back to last season and is averaging 5.4 yards per carry, which is currently the 10th-best single-season average in team history. Adrian Peterson is arguably the league’s best ball carrier, and three of his 26 career 100-yard rushing games have come against the Bears, including a 224-yard effort on Oct. 14, 2007. The winner in this battle of backs likely leads his team to victory as well. |  |
| Wide Receivers | |
| Percy Harvin and Michael Jenkins lead a group of Vikings receivers that also features former Bears Devin Aromashodu and Bernard Berrian. Harvin and tight end Visanthe Shiancoe might be the most problematic threats for the Bears to defend. Chicago’s young receivers -- led by Johnny Knox, Roy Williams, Devin Hester, and Dane Sanzenbacher -- haven’t completely gained Cutler’s trust, and that is a major factor in some of the team’s offensive struggles. | |
| Offensive Line | |
| Injuries and rampant inconsistency continue to plague the Bears in pass protection, but the unit has put together consecutive strong showings in the run blocking department. There’s uncertainty about how what’s expected to be the fifth combination of starters will perform against a stout Vikings front four. Steve Hutchinson is one of the most dominant interior offensive linemen of the last decade, and leads a Minnesota O-line that has given up 11 sacks. | |
| Defensive Line | |
| Bears defensive end Julius Peppers (left knee) is listed as doubtful, but don’t be surprised if he winds up playing. If he’s out, the team could struggle trying to fill the void with unproven players such as Nick Reed, Mario Addison and Corey Wootton. Vikings defensive end Jared Allen currently leads the league with 8.5 sacks and has 91.5 sacks over his career, which is best in the NFL since 2004. | |
| Linebackers | |
| The Bears feature an athletic trio of linebackers in Lance Briggs, Brian Urlacher and Nick Roach. But the group wasn’t effective in last Monday night’s loss to the Lions because of breakdowns in gap control on all levels of the defense. With Chad Greenway, E.J. Henderson and Erin Henderson filling behind a strong defensive line, the Vikings are tied for fifth in the league in run defense. Opponents currently average 76.4 yards on the ground against Minnesota. | |
| Secondary | |
| Chicago lines up combination No. 5 at the safety spot after making the decision to move a two-time Pro Bowler (Brandon Meriweather) and a 2010 all-Pro player (Chris Harris) to the bench in favor of a rookie (Chris Conte) and a second-year player (Major Wright). Minnesota cornerback Antoine Winfield (neck) is doubtful, but there shouldn’t be a significant drop off at the position if he can’t play. The Vikings aren’t much better than the Bears at stopping the pass. | |
| Special Teams | |
| After taking sole possession of the NFL punt return touchdowns record (11) against Carolina, Devin Hester was held in check Monday night against the Detroit Lions. Robbie Gould is still 100 percent on field goals (10 for 10). Minnesota, meanwhile, boasts dangerous returners in Marcus Sherels and Lorenzo Booker, who both rank in the NFL’s top 10 in punt and kickoff returns, respectively. | |
| Coaching | |
| The Vikings have blown four second-half leads this season, and shoddy coaching definitely plays a role in that. But the Bears have made questionable coaching decisions this season involving personnel and play calls, not to mention the club’s consistent inability to get plays to the quarterback on time. Bears coach Lovie Smith is 8-6 over his career against the Vikings, and the home team has won 15 of the last 18 meetings in this series. | |
| Overall | |
| The Bears have been outscored 59-37 in the second half of games this season, and the club hasn’t put points on the board in the third quarter for three consecutive games. That might bode well for the Vikings, who have shown a tendency to get off to fast starts before collapsing in the second half. Opponents outscored Minnesota 80-16 in the second half in the club’s four losses. The Bears have been outscored 59-37 in the second half this season. Chicago’s struggles stopping the run appear to be the biggest cause for concern heading into Sunday’s game, considering the club faces arguably the league’s most dominant running back in Peterson and there’s a possibility that Peppers might not be available. Offensively, problems compounded by injuries along the line are also a concern. The Bears plan to utilize a game plan that will allow Cutler to get rid of the ball in a timely manner with shorter drops and quicker throws. The team will also look to lean on Forte, its most consistent weapon on offense. But that might be a difficult proposition since Minnesota fields one of the league’s top run-stuffing defenses. | |
| PREDICTION: Vikings 20, Bears 17 | |