Bears @ Vikings, Open Thread

by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 7:13 PM CST in Game Threads

Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings
Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
Minneapolis, Minnesota

	1st	2nd	3rd	4th+OT	F
Bears	3	10	0	0	13
Vikings	0	6	6	8	20

Chicago	Stat	Minnesota
82 ypg (30th)	Rush Offense	172.2 ypg (1st)
223.2 ypg (14th)	Pass Offense	164.4 ypg (31st)
305.2 ypg (22nd)	Total Offense	336.6 ypg (13th)
19.5 ppg (22nd)	Scoring Offense	23.5 ppg (10th)
123.2 ypg (25th)	Rush Defense	70.7 ypg (1st)
231.9 ypg (26th)	Pass Defense	273.3 ypg (32nd)
355.1 ypg (29th)	Total Defense	344 ypg (25th)
22.8 ppg (20th)	Scoring Defense	18.8 ppg (8th)

Note to my fellow co-workers. . .if a commander's call starts at 1500, the commander gives us his talk and stuff like that, and he then opens the floor to questions. . .feel free to stop asking dumb-ass questions that don't apply to 98% of the people in the room BEFORE 1730!!

Argh.

Anyway, here we are at the Vikings' latest "biggest game of the season." A win tonight for Minnesota would go a LONG way in solidifying their playoff chances. A win tonight for the Beloved Purple would knock Arizona, Carolina, Detroit, and Philadelphia ALL out of playoff consideration, essentially making the wild-card chase a four-team affair between Minnesota, New Orleans, Washington (who the Vikings play next week in their next "biggest game of the season,") and the suddenly in big trouble New York Football Giants.

The Bears, to put it mildly, have been a disappointment this season. Thought by many to be the best in the NFC after their trip to the Super Bowl last season, a loss for them tonight gives them a very good chance of finishing in last place in the NFC North. As you can see from the stats, their vaunted defense really hasn't played very well at all this season. . .some of that due to injury, some of it due to other factors. . .and their offense is starting their third different QB of the season, and a guy that hasn't started a game since the 2005 season finale.

The Vikings, on the other hand, are coming into this game on a serious roll, as we all know. The last time these two teams got together, Adrian Peterson gashed the Bears for 224 yards (on only 20 carries) and 3 TDs, as well as getting the kickoff return that set up Ryan Longwell's game-winning field goal as time expired.

Logic says that the Vikings should win this game easily. But, as we all know, with NFC North divisional matchups, you can usually throw logic right out the window. I think the Vikings are going to win tonight. . .but if you're betting on them to cover the spread (which was Minnesota -10 the last time I checked), you might be in for a disappointment.

Gonzo's Final Score Prediction: Vikings 24, Bears 17

Let's get this thing done, people.

SKOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL VIKINGS!!!!

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Tonight's Inactives

Bears
G Josh Beekman
S Josh Gattis
TE John Gilmore
QB Rex Grossman (#3 QB)
WR Mike Haas
LB Darrell McClover
DT Babatunde Oshinowo
DT Darwin Walker

Vikings
LB David Herron
QB Kelly Holcomb (#3 QB)
T Chase Johnson
TE Garrett Mills
RB Mewelde Moore
S Tank Williams
WR Troy Williamson
CB Ronyell Whitaker

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 7:21 PM CST 0 recs

FEEL the Purple!!

For the first time in a LONG time. . .certainly that I can remember. . .the Vikings are going with a combination of purple jerseys and purple pants. And you know something? I might be a little bit biased. . .but by God, I like it.

The Vikings wore the purple pants twice on the road last year (with the white jerseys). . .and went 0-2 in the process, losing at Buffalo and at Chicago.

Oh, and tonight is the first prime-time game for young Adrian Peterson. Anyone remember Randy Moss' first Monday night appearance?

Something in my gut tells me that we're in for a similar treat tonight.

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by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 7:26 PM CST 0 recs

Opening Kickoff

We kicked it to Hester, and he managed to not kill us.

Three and out for the Bears, Vikings with it now. They started at their own 7, and they've already picked up a first down.

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by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 7:46 PM CST 0 recs

Turnover

Jackson hits Robert Ferguson on a slant, he bobbles it, and it goes right into the arms of Brian Urlacher.

This is the sort of crap we don't need.

First and 10, Chicago, on the Minnesota 13.

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by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 7:46 PM CST 0 recs

Vikings hold Bears to 3

After a couple of false start penalties and a few relatively ineffective plays, Robbie Gould comes on and hits a 29-yard field goal to give the Bears an early lead.

Bears scoring drive went 3 yards in 4 plays, taking 1:25 off the clock.

Bears 3, Vikings 0, 10:41 remaining in the first quarter.

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by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 7:51 PM CST 0 recs

Another turnover

Good lord. . .Jackson tries to hand off to Peterson, Peterson doesn't actually TAKE the football, and it falls to the turf so that Urlacher can fall on it.

This after a drive that had us inside the Chicago 25 and looking very impressive.

Damn it. . .we don't NEED this crap!!

Bears 3, Vikings 0, 5:50 left in the first quarter.

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by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 8:01 PM CST 0 recs

Vikings hold

The defense has looked impressive so far, given what they've had to work with.

The Bears go three-and-out, and Wade returns the punt to the Minnesota 35.

Bears 3, Vikings 0, 4:22 left in the first quarter.

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by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 8:06 PM CST 0 recs

Good job on special teams

Kluwe blasts one towards the sidelines, Hester fields it at the 3, fakes a reverse, heads to the other side, and gets it stripped by Ben Leber.

Unfortunately, the ball bounces out of bounds before anyone in purple can get on it. On the bright side, it went out of bounds at the 3. 1st and 10, Chicago.

Bears 3, Vikings 0, 2:13 left in the first quarter.

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by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 8:12 PM CST 0 recs

End of first quarter

A 1-yard run by Adrian Peterson brings the first quarter to an end.

The Bears have 4 possessions to this point, and they have zero first downs.

If we can stop shooting ourselves in the foot for a couple of minutes, we'll win.

Bears 3, Vikings 0, one quarter of play in the books.

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by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 8:18 PM CST 0 recs

Vikings go three-and-out

And Kluwe kicks it away from Hester, landing it out of bounds at the Chicago 13-yard line. First and ten, Bears.

Bears 3, Vikings 0, 13:29 left in the first half.

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by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 8:21 PM CST 0 recs

Still no first downs for the Bears

Vikings have it at their own 38 when we come back.

Bears 3, Vikings 0, 12:27 left until halftime.

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by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 8:27 PM CST 0 recs

Longwell ties it up

After an incompletion on what could have been a big play to Sidney Rice, Ryan Longwell comes in and does what he does. . .convert field goals.

This one comes from 42 yards out to tie the score.

Vikings drive went 38 yards in 6 plays, taking 2:20 to accomplish.

And then the Bears pick up a squib kick and return it to into Vikings' territory. Christ, if you're going to squib it, cover the damn thing.

Vikings 3, Bears 3, 10:01 left until halftime.

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by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 8:36 PM CST 0 recs

Bears re-take the lead

Robbie Gould comes in and hits from 47 yards to put Chicago back into the lead.

Bears scoring drive went 14 yards in 8 plays, taking 3:10 off of the clock.

I sure as hell hope the Vikings' offense kicks it into gear at some point tonight. . .because the defense has been playing really well.

Bears 6, Vikings 3, 6:57 left until halftime.

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by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 8:43 PM CST 0 recs

Two-minute warning

Bears facing a 3rd and 5 from their own 14 when we come back.

Bears 6, Vikings 3, 2:00 to halftime.

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by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 8:54 PM CST 0 recs

Bears punt

Punt goes through the end zone.

Vikings get the ball on the 20 with :58 left and 2 time outs remaining.

Bears 6, Vikings 3, :58 left until halftime.

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by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 8:59 PM CST 0 recs

Another Vikings turnover, Bears score

Jackson makes an absolutely terrible throw right into the hands of Nathan Vasher. He really should have just taken a sack there.

And on the very next play, Orton hits Mushin Muhammad for a 12-yard TD pass.

Just fucking great.

Play's being reviewed. . .don't think it's going to make any difference.

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by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 9:02 PM CST 0 recs

Play reversed

Muhammad ruled down at the "quarter-yard" line.

Great.

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by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 9:05 PM CST up 0 recs

Just delaying the inevitable

Jason McKie goes in from one yard out to give the Bears a TD.

Gould adds on the extra point to make it a 10-point game.

Bears drive went 12 yards in 2 plays, taking 13 seconds to accomplish.

Bears 13, Vikings 3, :30 left until halftime.

Wonderful.

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by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 9:06 PM CST 0 recs

Nice recovery!

With the help of a 15-yard cheap shot penalty on Charles Tillman, the Vikings get Longwell close enough to connect on a 48-yard field goal to make it a one-score game again.

Vikings' scoring drive went 43 yards in 4 plays, taking 0:30 to accomplish.

Bears 13, Vikings 6, heading into the locker room at halftime.

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by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 9:11 PM CST 0 recs

Well, like I said before. . .

The longer we let the Bears stay in this game, the worse it's going to be for us.

Well, they're still in it. . .and it looks pretty bad.

It's not over yet, by any means, but it's not looking promising at this point.

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by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 9:16 PM CST 0 recs

Second half underway

Vikings get the ball first, but Allison can only get out to the 15.

And now Antoine Winfield is out for the rest of tonight's game. Crap.

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by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 9:25 PM CST 0 recs

And we start with a 3-and-out

And punting it to Hester doesn't kill us, as Hester takes himself out by slipping and falling down.

I do NOT like the way that this is going.

Bears 13, Vikings 6, 13:37 left in the third quarter.

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by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 9:28 PM CST 0 recs

Defense

Looks like the defense is going to have to score again to give the Vikings an offensive lift.

If a team can stop the run, it sure makes T-Jack look less than capable.

by snackeru on Dec 17, 2007 9:30 PM CST 0 recs

Good, heads-up play!

Bears punt it away, ball bounces, and Marcus McCauley apparently thought it hit a Viking player, because he grabbed it and took off on a return.

He managed to gain 22 yards, and the Vikings will start right around midfield.

Bears 13, Vikings 6, 12:37 left in the third quarter.

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by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 9:34 PM CST 0 recs

Never mind

The ball got spotted back at the Minnesota 27, because Bobby Wade called for a fair catch.

Damn. . .thought we caught a break there.

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by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 9:35 PM CST up 0 recs

FERGUSON!!

Jackson hits Robert Ferguson on 3rd and 8, Ferguson breaks a couple of tackles, and gets dragged down 71 yards later!

1st and Goal, Vikings, from the 1.

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by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 9:38 PM CST 0 recs

TOUCHDOWN, VIKINGS!!

First and goal, and Adrian Peterson punches it in for a touchdown for Minnesota!

Longwell comes in and. . .MISSES THE EXTRA POINT!?

Ah, crap. . .hope that doesn't come back to bite us.

Vikings' scoring drive went 73 yards in 4 plays, taking 2:38 to accomplish.

Bears 13, Vikings 12, 10:29 left in the third quarter.

Let's hope that the offense has decided to wake up now.

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by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 9:40 PM CST 0 recs

Three-and-out for the Bears

Bears punt it away. . .fair caught by Wade at the Minnesota 26.

I think the momentum is shifting. . .now we just have to not give it back.

Bears 13, Vikings 12, 8:55 left in the third quarter.

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by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 9:45 PM CST 0 recs

hooked

another important kick choked wide left...bring back any memories of the dirty birds celebrating on your field??? CHOKERS!!!

by gary anderson on Dec 17, 2007 9:47 PM CST 0 recs

And the Vikings give it back

Jackson pump fakes, comes back to the right, and throws it right to Brandon McGowan for his third interception for tonight.

Jackson looks like Week 2 Tarvaris, not the guy we've seen for the last month.

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by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 9:48 PM CST 0 recs

Three-and-out for Chicago

Man. . .has our defense played a great game thus far, despite the defense consistently sticking them in crappy situations.

Maynard's punt is downed by Chicago at the Minnesota 22-yard line.

Bears 13, Vikings 12, 6:40 left in the third quarter.

We need to try to turn this into the Adrian Peterson/Chester Taylor show, and quickly.

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by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 9:50 PM CST 0 recs

And three-and-out for Minnesota

Somebody should consider blocking #54 in white at some point. . .he's having a monster game.

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by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 9:54 PM CST 0 recs

Bears fail to convert on 4th down

Rather than try a 51-yard field goal, the Bears try to convert 4th and 1, and Orton throws it incomplete.

Vikings' ball.

Bears 13, Vikings 12, 2:14 left in the third quarter.

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by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 9:58 PM CST 0 recs

Third quarter over

Vikings have a 3rd and 1 from the Chicago 40-yard line when we come back.

Vikings are -4 in the turnover category, yet the difference in this game is one missed extra point.

I hope we don't see anything on this third down play besides #28 or #29 slamming it over the left side to convert.

Bears 13, Vikings 12, heading to the fourth quarter.

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by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 10:02 PM CST 0 recs

Vikings driving

2nd and about 3 from the Bears' 14-yard line.

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by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 10:07 PM CST 0 recs

First and goal!

Jackson rolls right and scrambles to the Chicago 5-yard line.

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by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 10:07 PM CST 0 recs

Injuries a-plenty

Charles Tillman out for Chicago, after getting tangled up with Sidney Rice (who's also out). No word on what happened to either player.

Then, on 2nd and goal, Jackson rolls out right, throws the pass away, and comes up limping.

Bollinger in at QB on 3rd and goal from the 8. We just have to not screw this up and stay in FG range at the very least.

Bears 13, Vikings 12, 11:02 left in the game.

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by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 10:17 PM CST 0 recs

TOUCHDOWN!!

Adrian Peterson takes the handoff from Bollinger, runs into Bollinger, and manages to somehow scamper 8 yards for a touchdown.

Vikings will be going for 2.

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by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 10:18 PM CST 0 recs

2-point conversion GOOD!

Brooks Bollinger rumbles his way in on a quarterback draw to give the Vikings their first 2-point WR of the season (on their first attempt).

Vikings scoring drive went 65 yards in 11 plays, taking 6:18 to accomplish.

And a penalty on the Bears negates a 30-yard return by Devin Hester.

Awesome, awesome, awesome.

Vikings 20, Bears 13, 10:50 left in the game.

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by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 10:21 PM CST up 0 recs

Kickoffs

Do you think Brad Childress or Longwell realize kicking it out of bounds just gives them the ball at the 40?? It's better than the alternative! The defense is playing great!!

by aaronedge on Dec 17, 2007 10:21 PM CST 0 recs

HUGE play here for Chicago

Bears call a timeout to ponder what they want to do on 3rd and 9 from the Minnesota 39.

They're realistically too far away for a FG from where they are now, and they really can't punt, I don't think. . .they're going to have to go on 4th down, I think, if the Vikings stop them on 3rd.

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by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 10:26 PM CST 0 recs

Bears punt it away

And they down it inside the Minnesota 5.

Jackson back in at QB.

Vikings 20, Bears 13, 7:23 left in the game.

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by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 10:29 PM CST 0 recs

Vikings milking the clock

They've moved the ball out to the Minnesota 41.

4:36 and counting left on the clock as Peterson loses a couple.

Vikings 20, Bears 13, 4 minutes remaining in the game.

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by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 10:33 PM CST 0 recs

Vikings to punt

Vikings take a delay of game penalty.

2:56 left in the game, Bears have 1 timeout left.

I don't care if Kluwe kicks this thing sideways. . .I don't want Hester anywhere near it.

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by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 10:38 PM CST 0 recs

Vikings kick to Hester

Bears go for the block, and Kluwe kicks it to Hester. . .and he gets rounded up with no trouble because the Bears were going for the block.

Vikings 20, Bears 13, 2:20 and counting left.

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by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 10:39 PM CST 0 recs

Two-minute warning

Bears have moved the ball to their own 45-yard line.

They have 1 time out remaining and 55 yards to go to tie.

Vikings 20, Bears 13, 2:00 left in the football game.

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by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 10:41 PM CST 0 recs

INTERCEPTION!!

Orton decides he's going to air it out, goes deep for Bernard Berrian. . .

And DARREN SHARPER steps in, picks it off, and brings it out to the Minnesota 39.

Vikings now attempting to run out the clock and escape with a win.

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by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 10:44 PM CST 0 recs

And it's over!

Vikings 20, Bears 13

The Beloved Purple take another huge step towards a spot in the post-season.

We're guaranteed at least a .500 record, too.

Out-freaking-standing.

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by Gonzo on Dec 17, 2007 10:47 PM CST 0 recs

Blabbermouths

Gonzo wrote: "Note to my fellow co-workers. . .if a commander's call starts at 1500, the commander gives us his talk and stuff like that, and he then opens the floor to questions. . .feel free to stop asking dumb-ass questions that don't apply to 98% of the people in the room BEFORE 1730!!"

LOL - we had a board meeting at church tonight, lasted about three times as long as it needed to - wasn't home until after 9pm. I just kept a prayerful gaze on my Vikings cufflinks and praised God for the miracle of the DVR.

by Rev Vike on Dec 18, 2007 12:00 AM CST 0 recs