Battle of the Cellar Dwellers: Bears and Vikes Faceoff

The Chicago Bears need to get things into gear as soon as possible if they want to be considered a playoff contender this season. This week, the Bears will have to face an NFC North opponent for the third time in the past four weeks. The 1-4 Minnesota Vikings will be looking to build on the momentum of their first win of the season when they visit the Bears in Solider Field.

Already losing to the division leading Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions, this is a must win for the Bears (2-3). Adding another NFC North loss to their record will only hurt their chances for post-season play.

Chicago’s offensive line will be the main focal point of this week’s game. Quarterback Jay Cutler will try to be as productive as he can behind a porous o-line that has allowed him to be sacked 18 times this season (tied for most in the league). To make matters worse for the Bears, they will have to keep Minnesota’s sack machine Jared Allen under control. Allen leads the league with 8.5 sacks this season, and is on pace to break the NFL single-season record.

The o-line will have to figure out a way to open hole for Matt Forte in the running game as well. The Vikings are fourth in the league in run defense averaging 76.4 yards per game. Forte, who is sixth in the league in rushing, will more than likely determine the Bears’ success on offense, since Chicago still has yet to determine who their number one receiver is.

> Find Chicago Bears jerseys & hats online through Pro Football Fans for all your team gear!

There seems to be more problems on defense than there has ever been in the past. Chicago is 29 th in the league in total yards given up per game, and has consistently given up long touchdown plays this season. Though they might be facing a struggling Vikings passing attack, they still have to worry about the best running back in the league in Adrian Peterson. Peterson is second in the league in rushing, and is coming off a three-touchdown performance from last week.

The other thing that is hurting the Bears is their uncertainty at both safety positions. There is a possibility that second-year safety Major Wright and rookie Chris Conte will replace veterans Chris Harris and Brandon Meriweather.

Both the Chicago Bears and the Minnesota Vikings will be playing with their backs to the wall on Sunday night. The Bears definitely needs this win just so they can have a .500 record and avoid a tie for last in the division. With home-field advantage this week, Chicago needs to take advantage of every little thing possible to get things back on track.

By Clyde Speller
ProFootball-fans.com Chicago Bears Correspondent