Game-day details
Sun., 1 p.m. ET, Soldier Field
Weather forecast from AccuWeather.com:
Mostly cloudy. High: 74. Low: 58.
Why To Watch
With unimpressive Detroit atop the NFC North, there is great incentive for both teams to rejoin the race with a win.
Minnesota comes off a timely bye. Coach Mike Tice’s future remains in doubt but despite a rocky start, against opponents with a combined 13-4 record, his team has the best talent in a division where mediocrity reigns. Quarterback Daunte Culpepper has been under pressure, but if the Vikings can get running back Mewelde Moore on track, Culpepper has plenty of options in the passing game with Marcus Robinson, Troy Williamson and Travis Taylor.
Chicago stumbled after its bye with a loss to the Browns last week, and coach Lovie Smith may have run out of patience with rookie quarterback Kyle Orton. The Bears now also face the possibility of playing without running back Thomas Jones (knee), leaving wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad as their only viable offensive threat.
Vikings Keys For Success
1. Create balance to take pressure off Culpepper. Culpepper has thrown 10 interceptions in four games to only four TD passes. Without a consistent running game, teams have pressured Culpepper into making mistakes. In the Vikings' lone win this season, Moore rushed for 101 yards, which opened up the passing game. Minnesota must establish a balanced attack with Moore running often to help give Culppeper time to make plays downfield.
2. Establish Williamson as a deep threat. Williamson was drafted to replace Randy Moss. He has explosive speed and is a great leaper, and should become Culpepper’s best vertical threat. He has caught a TD pass in two consecutive games, so he should draw attention from Chicago’s secondary. If Culpepper and Williamson can connect early, it would help open up the underneath zones for the running game.
3. Use the tight ends to move the chains. Cleveland's tight ends caught eight passes for 76 yards against the Bears and helped the Browns gain crucial first downs last week. Minnesota’s Jermaine Wiggins and Jim Kleinsasser are both reliable short targets. In the absence of a power running game, Wiggins and Kleinsasser can take some pressure off Culpepper by hitting open areas in Chicago's defense.
Bears Keys For Success
1. Stop the run first. In the Vikings' past 11 losses, their running backs have been held to fewer than 100 yards rushing per game. Making Minnesota one-dimensional also puts pressure on its shaky offensive line. Under the resulting pressure, Culpepper will make costly mistakes that lead to stalled drives and turnovers.
2. Pick up blitzes. Left guard Ruben Brown and left tackle John Tait left the Cleveland game with injuries, but even before that, Chicago has had problems protecting its passer. The Browns managed four sacks last week, but two were by defensive backs and one by a linebacker on blitzes. Orton must improve his recognition, but in the time it will take to do that, his linemen must pick up their blitz responsibilities. The Bears also provide Orton with some max protection to help him stay upright.
3. Have middle linebacker Brian Urlacher spy Culpepper. Urlacher is the rare defender physical enough and quick enough to keep Culpepper in the pocket and bring him down when he takes off. Urlacher should spy Culpepper all day, which will keep the Vikings' quarterback from running for easy yardage.
Injuries at a glance
Vikings injuries
10/11/05 Nate Burleson WR Shoulder Doubtful for Week 6
10/10/05 Daunte Culpepper QB Knee Won't miss any time
10/6/05 Kenechi Udeze DE Knee Out for the season
9/27/05 Willie Offord S Knee - Torn ACL Out for the season
Bears injuries
10/11/05 Adewale Ogunleye DE Ankle Should play in Week 6
10/11/05 Doug Brien K Back Looking doubtful for Week 6
10/11/05 Thomas Jones RB Knee sprain Day to day
The Bottom Line
The Bears have established a solid running game this season, but Orton is struggling and they now face the possibility of playing without Jones. They still have a formidable defense, but without a serviceable offense, they will spend plenty of time on the field and will eventually wear down. The Vikings will break though late in a battle of attrition.
Pick: Vikings 27, Bears 10
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