Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings: Top 5 Reasons the Bears Can Win on Sunday
Published by Bob Warja on November 13, 2010
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
In a must-win game for both teams, especially for the Vikings, you might expect that every ounce of focus would be on the game itself. But not so fast, for if you’re the Minnesota Vikings you have a multitude of distractions staring you in the face—distractions that could cost you an important win on Sunday at Soldier Field.
If you look at the talent on the field, there is no way that the Vikes should be only 3-5 and facing the probable elimination of any slim playoff hopes with a loss on Sunday.
They have a solid offense, and Adrian Peterson is having a terrific year. AD is averaging 4.8 yards per carry and has seven touchdowns. Sure, those 13 picks from Brett Favre hurts a lot, but Percy Harvin has become an effective weapon for Favre to throw to.
Plus, the Vikings defense is stout. They rank third in yards allowed in the NFL, eighth against the pass and fifth vs. the run. But, they are a minus-nine in turnover differential, thanks to those INTs and a defense that has only taken the ball away from opponents 10 times (tied with Dallas for worst in the NFC).
Meanwhile, we all know that the Bears have had their share of problems despite a winning record. The suddenly resurgent Minnesota pass rush, which recorded six sacks against Arizona last week, is licking its chops to face the Bears offensive line.
But the Bears seemed to have figured out that they need a better balance between throwing the ball and running the ball as pass-happy Mike Martz has either bought into this or has been told to go with it. Regardless of the reason, the Bears did a bit more max-protect schemes and high-percentage passes like screens and outlet passes to the backs, even at the expense of sacrificing the home runs that Martz likes to shoot for.
While the running game was bad last Sunday, it helped control the time of possession, and fewer throws by Jay Cutler means fewer interception opportunities.
In addition to all this, I have pared down the reasons for a possible Bears victory into the following five categories. Let me know what you think.
