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!!!!