Who: Minnesota Vikings (1-4) at Chicago Bears (2-3). When: 7:20 p.m. Sunday. Where: Soldier Field (capacity: 61,500), Chicago. TV: NBC. Line: Bears by way of 3. Coaches: Vikings Leslie Frazier (1st year, 4-7); Bears Lovie Smith (8th year, 68-55). Series: Vikings lead 52-46-2. Bears are 26-21-2 around Chicago. Last meeting: 's surprise start off almost certainly his career, too broken on a major click by Corey Wootton, and Jay Cutler used pertaining to about three touchdowns since the Bears rolled 40-14 with Dec. twenty during TCF Bank Stadium. At stake: Either the Bears get back to .500 in addition to be in your solid from the playoff race, or perhaps the particular Vikings push even for lastly spot around the NFC North Division by using a second consecutive win.
Injury report
Vikings: CB Antoine Winfield (neck) not so great a new second consecutive 7 days involving process in addition to seemed to be outlined because doubtful. WR Percy Harvin (ribs) was detailed while questionable nevertheless will be anticipated to engage in that has a cushioned undershirt seeing that protection. MLB Kenny Onatolu (hamstring) and also RE Jared Allen (eye) are probable.
Bears: RT Gabe Carimi (knee) along with DT Matt Toeaina (knee) usually are out. DE Julius Peppers (knee) can be uncertain and, just like Carimi and also Toeaina, overlooked training the full week. WR Earl Bennett (chest) is definitely questionable however participated totally throughout practice upon Friday. CB Charles Tillman (hip) and also Wootton (hand) tend to be probable.
Five items to watch
Ch-ch-ch-changes: Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz has
Get inside the zone: Vikings QB
The X-factor: Time plus again, Devin Hester has proven the guy can change per game which includes resistant to the Vikings, that have presented in place three punt-return touchdowns in seven meetings resistant to the sixth-year frequent through Miami. Last time of year alone, Hester had stop income with 68 plus 79 meters as well while punt dividends associated with 42 plus 64, the particular other for any touchdown, throughout two Bears victories. And Hester minted for a second time with an Oct. only two conquer Carolina, establishing one touchdown using a 73-yard kickoff go back as well as scoring a different over a 69-yard punt return. The Vikings list sixth from the NFL with kickoff policy (21.4 average upon something like 20 opposition returns) and 27th around punt coverage (12.4 typical about age 14 returns). They'll definitely endeavor to keep your ball from Hester altogether but in the event he makes his arms on it, the Vikings must look for a solution to retain your pet out of becoming loose.
Run, run, run: Last week, Lions HB Jahvid Best acquired 163 yards on twelve month period hurrying ones (13.6 average), like a good 88-yard touchdown. The few days just before that, Panthers HBs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart combined with regard to 134 back yards on 18 bears (7.4 average). These Bears are generally pregnable contrary to the run, and now these are probably forward motion devoid of a couple of with their starting protective linemen, at the least for this game. What that Vikings complete best is actually single lb the particular golf ball using Peterson, who will be averaging 4.5 yards per hold along with has picked up your baseball greater than everyone (110 carries). The unpleasant range is usually showing signals of improvement , too. Even when stuff receive off to your rocky start, will not count on OC Bill Musgrave to have discouraged. The Vikings are aware that smashing that shot having Peterson is usually their best shot.
On the actual street again: The Vikings have won merely one among his or her earlier 10 video games within Chicago, plus they may be 2-10 away from the Metrodome considering the actual start of past season. The latter is usually less some sort of tendency approach product or service of your struggling team which is 7-14 overall in this stretch. But the idea remains to appear when this kind of team can clear up Soldier Field this platform having the littlest seating power inside NFL, when very well as it has the most well known using exterior and also a popularity to get trapping swirling winds. The Bears are 8-5 at this time there on the past two seasons, using a pair of of these losses forthcoming contrary to the Green Bay Packers. Sunday's predict normally requires temp within the 50s, days in the mid-teens along with a 30% opportunity with rain.
Crystal ball
It's one coin jump once another for that Vikings, who seem to were being favorite by way of three or maybe 3 or more into their past a number of games along with shed three involving them. This time, the actual estimate here's that oddsmakers have it right.
Prediction: Bears 23, Vikings 20.
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