Chicago: The Bears got a much-needed victory over the Packers last week and all is well again in Chicago, unless they stumble against the Vikings then perhaps we'll hear cries for Kyle Orton? Since replacing Grossman, Brian Griese is 1-1 with 4 TDs, 4 INTs and averaging 250 yards per game. Not exactly Joe Montana-type numbers but Bears' fans will take it. The Bears running game is swimming at the bottom of the barrel (ranked 27th) but will need a strong effort from Cedric Benson against the #1 ranked defense against the run. This figures tough a tough, low-scoring game that should be decided by a field goal either way. I'll cast my vote for Brian Griese over the in-experienced Tarvaris Jackson.
Start: QB Rex Grossman, RB Cedric Benson, WR Bernard Berrian, TE Desmond Clark, Bears D/ST,
Consider: WR Muhsin Muhammad, K Robbie Gould
Sit: TE Greg Olsen, WR Devin Hester
Minnesota: Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson has missed the last two games with a groin injury and is expected back under center to face the Bears but a final decision has yet to be made at press time. Both Jackson and Kelly Holcomb are splitting snaps in practice. No matter the quarterback the Vikings need to get the ball to their rookie runner Adrian Peterson. Inexplicably, Chester Taylor is back in the starting lineup taking valued carries away from one of the more dynamic weapons in the league. Its obvious Brad Childress does not own Peterson in his fantasy league. Avoid the Vikings passing game altogether, no matter who starts at QB… their 178 passing yards per game rank 27th in the league.
Note: Team statistics are shown as the average per game
through Weeks 1 to 5 of the 2007 season after deducting the best
and worst value from the data set. The exception is yards per rush attempt, completion %, yards per
pass completion, yards per pass attempt and the NFL averages, which are each calculated based on
totals through Weeks 1 to 5 with no adjustment.
Defense Stats Comparison
MIN Defense
CHI Defense
NFL Average
Points against
16.5
22.7
21.0
Rushing yards
53.0
97.7
111.1
Rushing yards per attempt
2.48
3.74
4.07
Completion %
67.9%
71.8%
62.2%
Passing yards
269.5
242.0
214.2
Passing yards per completion
9.70
10.51
10.59
Passing yards per attempt
6.59
7.55
6.59
INT return
1.0
1.0
1.0
Fumble recoveries
1.5
1.3
0.7
Sacks
2.5
3.3
2.1
Weather
Check the current weather forecast for Chicago from Weather.com.
Team vs. Team History
Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears
Season
Week
Date
Vis
Home
Score
Winner
2000
1
2000-09-03
CHI
MIN
27-30
MIN
2000
7
2000-10-15
MIN
CHI
28-16
MIN
2001
2
2001-09-23
MIN
CHI
10-17
CHI
2001
11
2001-11-25
CHI
MIN
13-6
CHI
2002
1
2002-09-08
MIN
CHI
23-27
CHI
2002
8
2002-10-27
CHI
MIN
7-25
MIN
2003
2
2003-09-14
CHI
MIN
13-24
MIN
2003
15
2003-12-14
MIN
CHI
10-13
CHI
2004
3
2004-09-26
CHI
MIN
22-27
MIN
2004
13
2004-12-05
MIN
CHI
14-24
CHI
2005
6
2005-10-16
MIN
CHI
3-28
CHI
2005
17
2006-01-01
CHI
MIN
10-34
MIN
2006
3
2006-09-24
CHI
MIN
19-16
CHI
2006
13
2006-12-03
MIN
CHI
13-23
CHI
Note: Only playoff games from the
2004 and 2005 seasons are included in the team vs. team history.
Playoff games from seasons prior to 2004 are not currently included in the database.
