MNF: Bears Perspective

Players to Watch:

QB Jay Cutler - The Vikings pass defense this 2010 season simply put has been "suspect". To my surprise, the Vikings are favorably ranked as the #10 best pass defense statistically in 2010, allowing just under 210 yards passing per game NFL.com. Moreover the defense has allowed only one 300 yard passer this entire season. Yet they still have managed to stumble to a 5-8 record with no real shot at the postseason. Now why is this? Well the Vikings and DE's, Jared Allen and Ray Edwards notably, have notched a miserable 23 sacks all season. Only 3 teams, the Bengals, Bucs, and Broncos have less sacks. Now to my point, Jay Cutler has been one of the most sacked man in the NFL (the Bears leading the NFL in sacks allowed with 47 this season alone). Something has got to give, and if the Bears want to get back on track, they will need to protect Jay Cutler.

RBs Chester Taylor and Matt Forte - Although afore mentioned protection of Jay Cutler will be necessary, due to the weather conditions, it is imperative that the Bears get the ground game up and running. One of only 9 teams averaging less than 100 yards on the ground, the Bears must keep the Vikings defense honest. In all reality, Martz should plan on at around 30 touches to Matt Forte and somewhere around 15 touches for Chester taylor.

DE Julius Peppers - Upgraded to questionable, the Ironman himself, Brett Favre, may have an opportunity to start versus "Da Bears". That being said, I can bet that Peppers is licking his chops. One of the most dominant down lineman this season, Peppers has tallied 8 sacks and ranks inside the top 20 in the NFL in sacks. If Peppers can really get after the QB and get a lot of hits on Favre/whichever QB is playing, the Bears will be in a great position to win the football game.

Key Matchup: Vikings QBs versus the Bears Pass Defense - Surprising as it may sound, I will talk about passing here. Last week Chicago had Tom Brady and the Patriots come into town in similar weather as tonight, and were absolutely torched through the air (as well as the ground). Nevertheless this week involves the Bears being the visitors to a homeless Vikings squad. Whichever QB comes out and starts tonight will need to be on top of their game versus a Bears secondary that allows just 225 ypg and has 16 interceptions on the year. ( UPDATE I just received a text update saying that will be Brett Favre, and Adrian Peterson is out, meaning Toby Gerhart will start. Gerhart will likely be counted upon to shoulder the load, however Brett Favre will need to be careful with the football and play mistake-free football.) 

Why the Bears Will Win - The Vikings have found ways to lose this season, and the Bears simply have found ways to win. The Bears have won 5 games by 5 or less points, and the Vikings have lost 5 games by 10 points or less this season. They Bears will be storming out of the gate after last week's utter disappointment on the national stage against the Pats. 

Prediction: Bears 31 - 27 Vikings 

MNF: Vikings Perspective

Players to Watch:

QB Joe Webb - Hopefully we will be able to see rookie quarterback Joe Webb his first start in front of millions of people on Monday Night Football (Favre is now listed as questionable so he may end up starting). This will be a very daunting task for the young quarterback, but with the quarterback position up in the air, Webb has a chance to make an impression and possibly become the Vikings future quarterback. We will see if he can step up to the challenge. The one thing that Webb will bring is an unreal athleticism. Webb was going to be converted to a receiver when he was originally drafted, and has been featured as a return man this year. The Vikings should find ways to get Webb out of the pocket and allow him to use his athletic ability to make plays.

WR Sidney Rice - Rice was very close to being put on injured reserve this year, but came back in week 11 and has really impressed. It is surprising that Rice has been able to come in after not playing for so long and make plays. I expect him to continue to get better and help out his young quarterback.

DE Jared Allen - Remember when everyone was questioning what had happened to Allen after he started the season with 1 sack over 7 games? Well since then Allen has been on fire getting 8.5 sacks in the last 6 games. Look for Allen to have a huge game against QB Jay Cutler who has taken the most sacks in the NFL this year.

Key Matchup: Players vs. The frozen field - The game will most likely be played with snow falling and in below 20 degree temperatures. For a team that is used to playing in the friendly confines of a dome this will be a big test for them, especially because the Bears (who are the away team) are accustomed to this weather. Apparently the field is as hard as concrete so the tougher team is going to come out on top in this one.

Why the Vikings Will Win - The Bears are overrated. Yeah, they are 9-4, but 6 of those wins have come by 7 points are less and many of them against weaker competition. Last week RB BenJarvis Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead were able to go over 100+ yards in snowy conditions against the Bears defense. So I think Adrian Peterson, who no one would confuse with the two Patriots undrafted backs, can have a big game. I think that the Vikings can rally around a guy like Webb who can create offense by himself and bring a different elements to the quarterback position. One thing is for certain, if the Vikings get an early lead look for Jay Cutler to revert back to his turnover friendly form and throw at least 2 picks.

Prediction: Vikings 17 Bears 10

MNF: Vikings Perspective

Players to watch:

WR Randy Moss – Obviously the biggest story of the night. It is his first game back with Vikings, he is going up against CB Darrelle Revis who is back from an injury, He just got traded for an unknown reason from the Patriots, so on and so on... There are so many story lines involving Moss that I think by the end of the night we will be sick of hearing his name.

DE Jared Allen - Allen has been awfully quiet so far this year. Let’s see if he can get some pressure on the Jets young QB.

WR Percy Harvin – Harvin has struggled so far without WR Sidney Rice opening up the field and taking pressure off him. Now with a true number one receiver in Moss, who can be that deep threat to spread the field, Harvin may get back on track tonight and benefit with Moss on the field, the same way Wes Welker did when Moss was on the Patriots.

Key Matchup: A lot of big matchups in this game Jared Allen vs. D’Brickashaw Ferguson, Moss vs. Revis, Adrian Peterson v. the Jets D. But I'm thinking the biggest and most underrated matchup is TE Dustin Keller vs. the Vikings linebackers. Keller has become Sanchez’s favorite target this year and he has made some key plays including 5 of Sanchez 8 TD passes.

Why the Vikings will win: Adrian Peterson. He is running with a purpose this year. People have forgotten that Peterson in still, in my opinion, the best back in the NFL. I think the Jets and Rex Ryan will be so focused on the Brett Favre and Randy Moss attack that they will forget the reason the Vikings offense is so good. Another reason is that everyone is forgetting about the Vikings defense. They currently rank 2^nd in points allowed, but that seems to be a forgotten aspect in this game. I think they are going to have a chip on their shoulder tonight.

Final Score: Vikings 24 Jets 13

Video/Debate of the Day

Arkansas was the first team I ever saw run the Wildcat with RB Darren McFadden and RB Felix Jones. It was an amazing combination, here is the Arkansas offensive coordinator breaking it down:




Debate topic of the day:

What two players would you like to see run the Wildcat?

- I think Vikings Adrian Peterson and WR Percy Harvin would be a deadly combination, or Eagles RB LeSean McCoy and WR DeSean Jackson would also be an explosive combination.