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I warn you up front.  This is a blog.  My opinion.  I am biased and the following might reflect that fact.

This Sunday the Monsters of the Midway invite the Vikings of Minesota to the windy city.  Both Teams are in a must win senario.  Both teams are banged up a bit.  Both teams have issues on offense.  Let's begin the breakdown.

Vikings:  Their one man offense is finding success while running the ball.  Something the Bears could use.  As this week has progressed and I read up on the "Godsend" of running back rookies: Adrian Peterson.  I read all these reports and in the same breath they read on about how the Packers ran all over the Bears in the first half.  So, I read more reports and review the stats.  This kid can run.  Gotcha.  Who has he run against?  Right...  Atlanta is a joke this year.  The Lions have a weak D when it comes to the short passing game, and the Vikings lost to them.  Last loss suffered was the Packers.  None of the teams they've played are truly known for running the ball.  Both of the NFC North teams they've played are passing offenses, from what I've seen at least.  With that said I question the stregth of their defense against the run game, despite their ranking.  Biggest advantages they have is spirit.  They've had a week off, and they NEED this to be a win.

Da Bears:  The Bears are not the team they shoud be.  They've showed us some hope and some flash.  They had a fire started in their Defensive belly last week.  Briggs is back,  Urlacher is still a monster, and the line, despite injuries, will eat a troubled QB or two for lunch.  The offense.  I have reservations here.  Griese is a turnicate for now.  Brian is not Bob.  Most importantly, he is not Grossman.  That is all I have to say there.  The aging line on offense is not dominating as much as they did last year.  Cedric Benson isn't a franchise RB yet.  But that matters very little for now.  And the Veteran Adrian Peterson is not the Vikings star who shares the same name.  For a team that is a "run" team, they haven't looked much like it.  Last thing on the Bears is a mention of special teams.  You can't analyze this team and not mention Devin Hester and Robbie Gould.  Hester's sophmore season is begining to look much like his rookie year.  Only disadvantage is we all know this.  Robbie Gould is as good as Gold when it comes to a place kicker.

 The Matchup:  This will be a dirty and intense game.  As I mentioned both teams have something to prove.  The Bears have the pieces to be a contender.  The Vikings have their pride on the line.  Both teams are fighting for their season.  Both are banged up.  Both have issues under center.  I see the Bears wining this one.  They have one of the fastest and strongest defenses ever seen.  Last year Brett Farve described them as simply, "Scary."  This year they have been weak.  The injuy bug bit early and hard.  They are healling up now though.  Lance Briggs came back with authority last week.  The Bears should repeat the performance like the second half from last week.  The cover two scheme and let Urlacher and Briggs trust their instincts.  The biggest weakness of the scheme is the run or passes underneath.  This plays to the Vikings strength.  However, the linebacker core of Chicago are quick enough to silence that.  The single faceted offence in of Minnesota will not have room to breathe.  When the Bears come out aggressive and put pressure on the QB, game over.  Peterson can run, and has done so with 8 defenders in the box.  But not 8 Bears.  Remember San Deigo and how little they were able to do with speedy LT?  Sure, the Bolts power RB did his damage, but LT was stopped.  Hense why I say a healthier Bears D will stop Peterson.  The Bears offense discovered that they were right this off season with saying Clark and Olsen would be the means to their Ends.  With a calm, verteran QB, who is more conservative will be able to manage better will strike with quick passes to these two and move the chains.  Devin Hester will see more time on offense.  Griese is stronger at the short pass than Rex is.  This only hurts when it comes to spreading the Vikings D. 

The Game:  Vikings will come out strong, get a field goal or perhaps a TD on their first drive.  On their second they will get a few first downs, and then be stopped, or attempt a long field goal that might be blocked.  The Bears will come out moving the ball well.  They may not score on their first drive. Their second drive will start with better field possesion thanks to a stellar run back by Hester.  It will end with a score.  From that point on it will be the bears D that carries the momentum.  Much like last season, a grinding offense and an outstaning d will ensure a "W" for chi-town.  Hestor will get a TD on a run back.  Clark or Olsen will get a TD.  Minnesota will get a late TD making the score seem closer than the game is.  Bears 24, Vikings 17.  Turnovers are the only thing that concerns me.  Benson's been leaving the ball on the carpet too much and he will be running into the heart of Defense that hasn't been torched yet.  Maybe Chicago will put Garret Wolfe in behind their FB in a power I and the man from NIU, who ran all over OSU and Michigan, will show some of the excitement he brought to Dekalb, IL.  (On that note, if Benson turns out to be a bust, wouldn't it be great if the Bears enticed Michael "the Burner" Turner back home next year?  Maybe I should have mentioned I played Tuba at NIU from 99-02?)  Yes, right, turnovers....  The ratio will be 5-2 in favor of chicago.  2 picks and 3 fumbles from Minnesota and 1 pick and 1 fumble from Chicago.  Rookie RB Peterson will have some respect for Tillman by halftime.  And the QB, whichever one starts for the Vikings, will think an equipment truck labled Harris, Urlacher, and Briggs decided that he was a large bug destined to be squashed on the grill. 

Thanks for reading.  Peace.