Bears Blitz

Published by Jimmy Boyd on December 18, 2010
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

With the Metrodome damaged, the Minnesota Vikings (5-8) will have to play their home finale against the Chicago Bears (9-4) at the TCF Bank Stadium on the University of Minnesota campus. The change in venue could prove costly.

After the Metrodome roof caved in due to heavy snowfall, the Vikings were forced to play their Week 14 contest with the New York Giants in Detroit on Monday. The Vikes fell 21-3 as Brett Favre saw his NFL-record streak of 297 consecutive starts come to an end.

This week the Vikings are expected to play their first outdoor home game in 29 years. That, however, doesn’t expect to play in their favor. With temperatures expected to drop into the single digits, the Bears could have the advantage. After all, they have won 10 consecutive outdoor games in December and January when facing teams which play in a dome or hail from warm-weather cities.

The Bears have to be happy about avoiding the Metrodome, considering they have dropped seven of their last eight there.

Chicago, however, did not handle the winter weather very well last Sunday at Soldier Field. Playing in a blizzard, the Bears fell behind 33-0 to New England and would eventually lose 36-7. The league’s eighth-ranked defense gave up 475 yards to Tom Brady and company.

Despite the loss, the Bears kept their one-game lead in the division due to Detroit’s upset of Green Bay. Chicago can clinch the NFC North title Monday night with a win if the Packers lose at New England Sunday. With Aaron Rodgers’ status up in the air after suffering a concussion last week, there’s a good chance the Bears will be playing for a division title under the Monday night lights.

Minnesota’s quarterback situation may also benefit the Bears. Favre sat out last week’s game with a shoulder injury among other things. His replacement, Tarvaris Jackson, left the game against the Giants with a turf toe injury. Jackson has been placed on the injured reserve list while Favre is listed as questionable. If Favre isn’t able to go, rookie Joe Webb will likely get the call.

NFL odds makers are yet to set a line on this game as they wait to see who Minnesota will give the starting nod at quarterback.

The Vikings may actually stand a better chance with Webb, considering Favre was picked off three times in a 27-13 loss at Chicago last month.  While Chicago looks to have the advantage, this game is certainly no gimme for the Bears. We can’t overlook the fact that they haven’t swept the season series since 2006.

With Minnesota likely not going to get major production from the quarterback spot, running back Adrian Peterson will have to come up big. He was held to just 26 yards on 14 totes against the Giants and that’s not going to get it done this week.  Peterson has had plenty of success against the Bears in his young career.

Jimmy Boyd’s Monday Night Football picks are a perfect 5-0 the last five weeks. Make sure you check out Jimmy’s NFL picks to see who he’s taking before you make a single move Monday night!

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