Sunday December 9th is the biggest game of this young Vikings team’s effort to reach the playoffs and it comes against NFC North rival, Chicago Bears. A loss does not eliminate them but the odds would be overwhelming not to get in. The team sits 10th in the playoffs race.
The last time Chicago invaded Mall of America Field was the last game of the 2011 season on January 1st. The Vikes were 3-12 and Chicago was 7-8 coming in so neither team was going anywhere. It was Jim Kleinsasser’s last game as a Viking player. The game also saw Jared Allen get his sack to break Chris Doleman’s team record. The Bears did win 17-13 without Jay Cutler quarterbacking the Bears. The game also saw Bears lose linebacker Brian Urlacher to injury as well. It was a classic black and blue game with throw the records out and just play a physical hard hitting game.
I remember another positive in that game for the fans. It was New Year’s Day and meter parking in the streets of Minneapolis was free due to the holiday. I always try to look at the positive in everything.
This Sunday has the Bears coming in like the Packers last week all banged up. Sunday December 2nd Bears middle linebacker Brian Urlacher was injured in their OT loss to Seattle. Urlacher has a grade 2 hamstring strain which puts him out for this game and maybe more. I am disappointed because as much as I dislike the Bears, Urlacher is so impressive to watch in action.
The game is essential for the Vikings (6-6) who face an (8-4) Bears team. This game is by no means for first but a Vikings loss drops them 3 behind Chicago and loses the tie breaker to the Bears as well. The Packers are in first place so for now the Vikes are challenging several other teams including the Bears for a wild card spot as the minimum.
The Vikings hold the all-time series lead with 52-49-2 but the Bears have won 6 in a row in the series including this season winning 28-10 in Chicago.
The talk of Adrian Peterson’s game last week just does not get old. I did some reading this week and found these numbers. Peterson’s league leading 1446 yards is now more than 22 other NFL team total. Adrian is leading Marshawn Lynch by 308 yards in the race for the rushing title. He would need to average 138.5 in the last 4 games to get to 2000 yards rushing.
Lets look at some other impressive numbers by Peterson as he tied for 4th with 8 touchdowns. He is also 2nd in the NFL in total scrimmage yards with 1641. I can remember back to fantasy drafts with people taking Peterson lower because of the surgery and not sure what he would be like. The people that took him higher with a risk should be congratulated.
Adrian is 2nd in the NFL in broken tackles with 54. Tampa Bay’s Doug Martin leads the league with 57 and in third is Browns rookie Trent Richardson with 50.
The Vikings as a team are 1st in the NFL with 21 runs of 20 yards or more and also have 4 runs of over 50 yards.
In other Vikings players and numbers and how they rank in the NFL. Blair Walsh is 4th in the league with 41 touchbacks. Chad Greenway leads the league in tackles with 123. Kyle Rudolph is 2nd amongst tight ends with 8 touchdown receptions.
In looking at team numbers the Vikings average 21.8 points per game while the Bears average 24.5. Minnesota averages 335.5 yards per game while Chicago is averaging 304.
The biggest statistical category favors the Bears heavily. Minnesota has created 15 turnovers while the Bears have 34. Minnesota has 7 interceptions while the Bears have 20. The differential heavily favors the Bears who are a plus 14 while the Vikings are a -6.
Minnesota who is 5-1 at home has to make the most of home field and give the Bears their 2nd loss in a row. The fans will be needed more than ever.
I believe the Vikings will move to 7-6 with a hard fought 21-13 win Sunday.
Next up: Thoughts on what needs to happen to get win number 7
Thanks for reading
Purplestick
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