Three's Company: Bears hope to break-up three-way tie with win over Vikes
With a disheartening 22-20 loss to the Atlanta Falcons erased from there minds, the Chicago Bears (3-3) are now focused on a much needed win against the division rival Minnesota Vikings (3-3). Unlike the Bears, the Vikings won their game in the final seconds last week, giving them a two-game winning streak, and much needed momentum going into this battle for first place in the NFC North. Not only are the Bears and Vikings tied for first in the division, but the Green Bay Packers also have the same record; and with a Green Bay loss this week, who ever wins this game will be atop the NFC North alone.
Offensively, Chicago is continuing to show more confidence in Kyle Orton under center, rookie Matt Forte handling the bulk of the carries in the running game, and Devin Hester as a go-to receiver. One of the main questions that arise is how often will Orton challenge Minnesota’s cornerback Antoine Winfield. Winfield, thus far, is the Vikings’ defensive MVP this season, having come up with big play after big play all season. Another important match-up worth looking at is the Vikings’ fourth ranked run defense (73.7 ypg) versus Forte, who is fifth in the league in rushing with 459 yards. The second-round draft pick out of Tulane has had only one 100-yard performance on the ground this year, but has proven that he can contribute in the passing game as well by hauling in 27 catches for 206 yards (both ranked third among rookies) and two touchdowns (tied for first among rookies) thus far this season. And though Hester has been showing flashes of being Chicago’s number one receiver, many Bears fans are hoping that Brandon Lloyd will be able to return this week to add another weapon to Orton’s arsenal.
Brian Urlacher and the rest of the Bears defensive unit will defiantly do everything in their power to not let Adrian Peterson do to them what he did last year in Soldier Field—which was rush for 224 yards and three touchdowns. Just like Minnesota, the Bears have one of the best run defenses in the league (ranked fifth) allowing only 74.3 yards per game. But also just like the Vikings’ match-up against Forte, Chicago will have to stop Peterson, who is third in the league in rushing with 563 yards. In the secondary, there are still questions about the injuries of Charles Tillman (shoulder) and Nathan Vasher (wrist). Lovie Smith is keeping his fingers crossed in hopes that both will be able to go on Sunday, because former Bears speedy receiver Bernard Berrian will be a handful for the banged-up Chicago secondary. And so far this season, Chicago hasn’t done well going up against former teammates; just look at the defeats in Weeks 2 and 3 against Chris Harris and Muhsin Muhammad of the Carolina Panthers and Brian Griese of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers respectively.
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The Chicago Bears are pulling out all of the stops in this home defense against the Minnesota Vikings. The Bears will be wearing their alternate orange jerseys for this game, and are asking all fans to wear orange as well—creating a sea of orange. Chicago hopes that this plays a major part in getting into the heads of Minnesota in order to keep their spot in first place in the division. Let’s just hope that the Bears are banking more on their ability to execute on the field consistently than psychological warfare.
By Clyde A. Speller
ProFootball-fans.com Chicago Bears Correspondent