Date: Sept. 24
Time: 1pm ET FOX
Why to tune in:
There are just three match ups this weekend in the NFL that feature undefeated teams battling against each other. While the game in Indianapolis that features the Colts and Jaguars should get the most hype, the contest in Minnesota might be the most intriguing. The Bears defense has only allowed seven points in two games, which is no surprise since Chicago boasted the best defense in ’05. However, Chicago also has the seventh rated offense in the league and – get this – the top rated QB in Rex Grossman, who has posted a rating of 128.7. Rookie head coach Brad Childress has seemingly cleaned up the love boat mess in Minnesota and has his team buying into his disciplined philosophy. The Vikings have displayed a balance attack on offense and a much-improved defense. Minnesota has not blown away its opponents, but has beaten two playoff teams from ’05 in Washington and Carolina. The early battle for first place in the NFC North kicks off this weekend in Minneapolis – someone sound the foghorn.
When the Bears have the ball:
Grossman has done what? That’s right, the former Gator and injury-lover is completing over 70% of his passes and has thrown five touchdowns with just one interception. Is that a Desmond Clark sighting? While Muhsin Muhammad is starting to become the go to guy that the Bears singed him for last year, Clark and third year pro Bernard Berrian (hell of a catch against Detroit last week) have proven to be steady targets for Grossman. Head coach Lovie Smith would love for his running game to be more effective, but with Grossman throwing as well as he is, the Bears can get buy with averaging less than three yards a carry right now. Minnesota isn’t stifling opponents on running plays, but has been solid against the pass, so watch for Chicago to try and keep a balanced attack on the road. Smith loves to run the ball on second downs and put his offense in manageable third down situations, so if the Vikings can’t bear down early in possessions they’ll be susceptible to passing plays over the top of their defense (hear that Berrian?). Without DE Erasmus James (out for the year with a knee injury), the Vikings better generate a pass rush and force a turnover or two or else they’re going to have a hard time putting up points against the Bears defense.
When the Vikings have the ball:
Remember when Carolina’s Steve Smith torched the Bears in the playoffs last season? Lovie Smith sure does and that’s why after watching free safety Chris Harris struggle a bit in covering the ground necessary for the Tampa 2 defense, the coach announced after Wednesday’s practice that rookie Danieal Manning will start in Minnesota. Manning gives the Bears a better playmaker at the position while covering in space – where as Harris is bigger and more of run-stuffer. There isn’t any big secret to Childress’ offensive scheme – stick to the game plan, don’t turn the ball over and never abandon the run. Chester Taylor has given Minnesota a physical runner who has proven in two games that he can carry the load. If the Vikings are going to have any success running against the Bears defense, however, they better not try to run too many stretch plays against a Chicago team that is fast on the outside with Lance Briggs and Hunter Hillenmeyer. There’s no better middle linebacker that plays sideline to sideline than Brian Urlacher. If the Bears can be had, however, it’s against a downhill running game like the Packers showed with Ahman Green in week one. For some reason, the Bears defense can play a bit soft at times up the middle. If Brad Johnson can’t get the passing game going, however, that’s a moot point.
Prediction:
Anybody thinking that Minnesota is going to let Chicago come into its house and blow them out hasn’t been paying attention to the first two weeks of the season. However, the Bears defense loves playing these kinds of games in which a team tries to match wits with them on offense. Watch Chicago make Childress abandon his game plan for the first time this season and that’s when the Bears will strike. You can’t play catch up against Chicago and Smith won’t hand the game over to Minnesota the way that John Fox and his over-hyped Panthers did last week.
Close game, Grossman comes back down to earth a bit, but Da Bears get the run game going and escape the Metrodome undefeated: Bears 16, Vikings 10.
