Minnesota Vikings VS. Chicago Bears - Game Preview

by ChiFan13 on Oct 17, 2008 4:12 PM CDT Comment 17 comments

Disclaimer: The two previews that I have done thus far (TB and Atlanta) ended in Bears losses. I made WCG aware of this, but he’s too busy this weekend to get a preview set to go. So, I’m filling in this weekend, and if we lose, just remember who jinxed us.

Us vs. Them – Defense

The Vikings have been winning on the arm of Gus Frerotte and the legs of AP and Bernard Berrian. AP has impressive but not spectacular stats thus far (563 yards on 129 carries with 3 TD’s and 3 lost fumbles). Bernard Berrian flew off to greener pastures during the offseason to get away from QB shakeups, and he has 436 yards on 22 receptions with 2 TD’s. Frerotte has been consistently throwing in the 200’s for the past four games, but he only has 3 TD’s with 3 INT’s. Two other WR’s names you’ll most likely see on Sunday: Bobby Wade (25 receptions for 287) and Visanthe Shiancoe (13 receptions for 155).

Unfortunately, it looks like the same deal as last week, except we have a little more history with this team: Contain AP and make Frerotte beat us. If our defense is as vanilla as they were against the Falcons, it really won’t matter what we do. It doesn’t help that our secondary is horribly banged up.

Us vs. Them – Offense

Minnesota’s defense, while not living up to their preseason hype, is not a bad squad. Their secondary is pretty mediocre, which is about their only weaknesses. To win, we have to establish the run successfully and set Orton up for play-action. Note to Ron Turner: Please use the tight ends, drop every play that gives McKie the ball, and shake the 'norm' up every once in a while. A no-huddle offensive series wouldn’t be a bad idea against this squad.

Final word

I don’t know what to think about this game, because it really depends on which team shows up this weekend. I’m not as much worried about the offense as I am the defense (which is the first time I’ve ever thought that about this team). My major concern is our injury-riddled secondary. I don’t know what Babich is going to do to mask those problems.

We absolutely need to stop AP, and our defensive “effort” last Sunday really concerned me. I hate to do this, but I’m taking a page out of the Tribune writers’ book and calling a Vikings win.

Vikings 24, Bears 17

Poll

Bears vs. Vikings - Who do you have?

Bears by 15+

22 votes

Bears by 7-14

56 votes

Bears by 1-6

46 votes

Vikings by 1-6

26 votes

Vikings by 7-14

16 votes

Vikings by 15+

7 votes

173 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 17 comments

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Comments

A Couple Thoughts:

I think the Bears running a no-huddle will be key to the success of the offense here — we need to tire out their front four and if we can do that, we’ll set up the run niceley, which will in turn set up the pass, which will finally, in turn, lead to scores by the good guys.

Secondly, look — they are going to move the ball on us, we are pretty banged up on defense right now. We just need to come out with a win whatever way we can and get into the bye, heal up, and come out swinging in two weeks. Payne and Brown need to be on their A-game to help out the injuries at CB. GET PRESSURE ON GUS, send blitzes, blitz a linebacker, CB, whatever it takes, but don’t let him just sit back there and pick us apart.

Bears 24 – Vikings 20

by NotMyForte on Oct 17, 2008 4:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I think you're right on.

I like the point of tiring their front four…If we can get in a no-huddle rhythm and limit the personnel changes that the Vikings can make, I think it opens up the running game a lot more…Those big boys get tired and have to stay on the field, maybe we can bust something big on the ground….

Beat Texas

by PurpleLineToWrigley on Oct 17, 2008 4:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

BEARS WIN

I like the bears to win this week. I think the defense is still stinging from AP dropping 224 on them in the first matchup and are going to come out very aggressive. Vikings Oline still seems to be out of synch as the lions were giving them some difficulty last week and if not for the bogus pass int call the lions would have won that game. The key will be to keep their defense off balance. As stated earlier throwing on first down to create 2nd and short will go along way to controlling the clock and helping Forte create space. Also, let’s bag the old run up the gut all time and mix it up with some counters and traps to take advantage of an agressive front four overpursuing. With their injuries their LB are weak and we should be able to take advantage of that, especially on some crossing patterns with Davis/Hester/Olsen. I like the Bears 24-14.

by tfrabotta on Oct 17, 2008 4:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

what a preview!

if i wasnt pumped for this weekend before.. i am now.

alright lets go over/under on this:

tommie harris: 2 solo tackles

by rahulsriram on Oct 17, 2008 5:15 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Not much to say...

…when you don’t know what Bears team will show up. lol

I'M A MAN! I'M 22!

by ChiFan13 on Oct 17, 2008 5:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

no joke

i said this last week but no matter what offense or defense shows up, special teams has to dominate all around this week. from maynard to hester to toub..everyone in that group has to have an A+ outing.

by rahulsriram on Oct 17, 2008 5:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

ST will definitely be key this week

We can’t afford to give anything up. Lord knows whether or not we’re going to decide to play D.

I'M A MAN! I'M 22!

by ChiFan13 on Oct 17, 2008 8:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hester.....

field the kick, run very fast, avoid tackles….you’ve done this before.

How could he lose the ball in the sun....he's from Mexico.

by Hoytsstash on Oct 18, 2008 12:17 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Reverse psychology?

It’s not going to matter what team shows up, rather which team finishes. The Bears have been in every ball game and won both that were blow outs. I find it difficult to believe the Vikes will win this one after barely beating (refs+Orvlosky stepping out of the end zone) the worst team in the league. The Lions got 5 sacks against them, so I see the Bears D-line to be the difference tomorrow.

"I'm not so mean. I wouldn't ever go out to hurt anybody deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something." - Dick Butkus

by propheteer on Oct 18, 2008 4:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree. If that D-line can be the difference

let’s hope it’ll take some pressure off the secondary…..our cover guys need all the help they can get.

How could he lose the ball in the sun....he's from Mexico.

by Hoytsstash on Oct 18, 2008 4:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's the brilliance of any given Sunday

Any team can win.

The same team that thumped the Lions could play the team who barely limped away with a win from the Lions. Or, the team who lost to Carolina could play the team who thumped Carolina.

I can see it being one of those games that we either dominate or it’s another frustrating Sunday.

I'M A MAN! I'M 22!

by ChiFan13 on Oct 18, 2008 6:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

history between these two

teams tell us that it will be a close game with tons of crazy/unpredictable moments.

by rahulsriram on Oct 18, 2008 6:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Any given Sunday as long as you're not the Lions...

But I do understand that logic. I’m sure the Vikes weren’t as fired up against Detroit than they will be tomorrow. If the D-line shows up we win….plain and simple.

"I'm not so mean. I wouldn't ever go out to hurt anybody deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something." - Dick Butkus

by propheteer on Oct 18, 2008 7:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't say the Vikings secondary is so mediocre

I just happen to think the stats get skewed, because teams don’t try to run the ball on them.

I agree that using the no-huddle will help us… and I’d also like tosee the Bears spread out the defense with 3 and 4 WR sets for this game. Forte may have some great success running if we can spread them out and make them focus on stopping the pass.

I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008

by SackMan on Oct 18, 2008 7:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Will be Hard Time

The Vikings left the Windy City 34-31 winners last year thanks to Adrian Peterson’s 224-yard rushing performance and a gritty 55-yard game-winning field goal by Ryan Longwell as time expired, but prior to that the Purple hadn’t been victorious on the road against the Bears since 1999. So, that will really tough. But I still believe that Vikings will make it! Found some cool widgets at statbeast.com. Check it!

by BeVikings on Oct 18, 2008 8:14 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

all your bases are belong to us.

by mike b on Oct 19, 2008 2:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

about the lack of pressure

while our line hasn’t really done well, part of the problem is our secondary. namely, teams are relying on 3 step drops big time against us. most lines will be unable to generate much of a pass rush in that case unless the DBs jam the receivers at the line well. we, of course, have been playing a really soft defense, especially in the losses, where we let the CBs give the WRs a big cushion. the only way to reverse that is to jam them at the line. that’ll force the QB to hold onto the ball longer, even on short drops, giving our line more time to generate a pass rush. as that succeeds, teams will go back to 5 and 7 step drops on us, at which point we can let our CBs give WRs more of a cushion. but we absolutely must jam receivers on these short drops, or else our D will be carved up.

by guy incognito on Oct 19, 2008 6:43 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs