Bears-Vikings Analysis- PICK CHICAGO -7
First things first the weather report in this game calls for game time temperatures right around 25 degrees with winds at about 15 mph. (15 mph is not enough to disrupt the passing game) Snow accumulation between 2-4 inches during the day and 1-3 inches at night. Generally, this would favor the Bears, but I don’t believe this years version of the Chicago Bears is the almighty cold weather team that we’re use to seeing in Chicago. The one factor that does help them is they did play in the cold and snow last week so they should have no surprises this time around, while the Vikings have routinely played in the dome.
The first meeting between these two teams resulted in a 27-13 win @ Chicago. Now there were a few key differences in that game. Foremost, Brett Favre was under center and he did not have Sydney Rice to throw to. It’s important to note that Favre had a horrible day completing 18 of 31 passes for 170 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT and 44.5 QB rating. Now with 5th round rookie Job Webb set to make his start I think things could get very ugly for him. Having played last week in the snow against the Pats, this should give the advantage to the Bears as they should know what to expect now in terms of traction and getting use to the snowy condition that this game will present. Last week, Tom Brady torched the Bears because he simple had ample time in the pocket to deliver his passes. The Bears generally play a cover 2 defense and allow the front four on the defensive line to bring the pressure. The cover 2 does a good job of taking away the deep passes with safety help over the top. It limits the opponent to small underneath gains and allows the defense to swarm to the ball. DE Julius Peppers usually brings his A game for a nationally televised event and I expect nothing less from him today. The Bears are still fighting for the #2 spot in the NFC so I expect them to come out and avenge last weeks bitter lose. With Joe Webb making his first start of the season the Vikings will run the ball early and often with Adrian Peterson. Joe Webb has the resume to be a good runner like Vick, but a balky hamstring that will limit his ability to run with the combination of the Bears defense and the weather i really think Webb's ability to run will be limited. Not to mention the Bears stopped Vick in his tracks when he tried scrambling. The last times these two teams faced each other Peterson only had 51 yards on 17 carries which equates to a 3.0 average. A lot of those yards were on one 20 yard carry. The Bears rank 5th in the league giving up 3.7 yards per rush. They are tied for first in the league in creating fumbles against a rusher. With traction and holding on to the ball playing into this game I see the Bears creating a few turnover whether it’s forced by fumble or interception. If the Bears can hold Peterson to minimal gains and keep Webb in third and longs the stats point to the Bears having success as they are tied for 5th defensively in third down completion. Only 35% of third down are completed against the Bears defense.
On the Chicago offensive side of the ball Cutler and the Bears offense will have to employ a well balanced offensive attack. They have done this in recent games and this has led to their recent success. Cutler played relatively well the last time they two teams played each other. Cutler went 22 of 35 for 237, 1 sack, 3 TDs 2 Ints and 87.4 passer rating.
Some of you may think well if Matt Flynn can play well as a back up why can’t Joe Webb. As I wrote in a previous article good teams step up and play 110% with their starting QB out, especially in crucial time as the Pack are fighting for the playoffs. So it doesn’t surprise me that the Packers defense showed up yesterday, as they have all year. The reality for the Vikings is that Webb was a third stringer prior to this game who has never played a game in snowy conditions such as today. I don’t think the Vikings defense will step up and play the hero role as much because their season is all but over. If they get behind in this game by 2 TDs then they’ll really roll over. Many players on both sides have said they are not excited about playing this game on the frozen field. At least the Bears have something to play for as they are fighting with Phily for a first round bye with the #2 spot in the NFC. I really expect the Bears to come out and avenge their last week lose. Things will get tough for Job Webb early and often as he’ll struggle in his first start. I'm predicting a 24-10 victory.
Take the Bears -7
First things first the weather report in this game calls for game time temperatures right around 25 degrees with winds at about 15 mph. (15 mph is not enough to disrupt the passing game) Snow accumulation between 2-4 inches during the day and 1-3 inches at night. Generally, this would favor the Bears, but I don’t believe this years version of the Chicago Bears is the almighty cold weather team that we’re use to seeing in Chicago. The one factor that does help them is they did play in the cold and snow last week so they should have no surprises this time around, while the Vikings have routinely played in the dome.
The first meeting between these two teams resulted in a 27-13 win @ Chicago. Now there were a few key differences in that game. Foremost, Brett Favre was under center and he did not have Sydney Rice to throw to. It’s important to note that Favre had a horrible day completing 18 of 31 passes for 170 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT and 44.5 QB rating. Now with 5th round rookie Job Webb set to make his start I think things could get very ugly for him. Having played last week in the snow against the Pats, this should give the advantage to the Bears as they should know what to expect now in terms of traction and getting use to the snowy condition that this game will present. Last week, Tom Brady torched the Bears because he simple had ample time in the pocket to deliver his passes. The Bears generally play a cover 2 defense and allow the front four on the defensive line to bring the pressure. The cover 2 does a good job of taking away the deep passes with safety help over the top. It limits the opponent to small underneath gains and allows the defense to swarm to the ball. DE Julius Peppers usually brings his A game for a nationally televised event and I expect nothing less from him today. The Bears are still fighting for the #2 spot in the NFC so I expect them to come out and avenge last weeks bitter lose. With Joe Webb making his first start of the season the Vikings will run the ball early and often with Adrian Peterson. Joe Webb has the resume to be a good runner like Vick, but a balky hamstring that will limit his ability to run with the combination of the Bears defense and the weather i really think Webb's ability to run will be limited. Not to mention the Bears stopped Vick in his tracks when he tried scrambling. The last times these two teams faced each other Peterson only had 51 yards on 17 carries which equates to a 3.0 average. A lot of those yards were on one 20 yard carry. The Bears rank 5th in the league giving up 3.7 yards per rush. They are tied for first in the league in creating fumbles against a rusher. With traction and holding on to the ball playing into this game I see the Bears creating a few turnover whether it’s forced by fumble or interception. If the Bears can hold Peterson to minimal gains and keep Webb in third and longs the stats point to the Bears having success as they are tied for 5th defensively in third down completion. Only 35% of third down are completed against the Bears defense.
On the Chicago offensive side of the ball Cutler and the Bears offense will have to employ a well balanced offensive attack. They have done this in recent games and this has led to their recent success. Cutler played relatively well the last time they two teams played each other. Cutler went 22 of 35 for 237, 1 sack, 3 TDs 2 Ints and 87.4 passer rating.
Some of you may think well if Matt Flynn can play well as a back up why can’t Joe Webb. As I wrote in a previous article good teams step up and play 110% with their starting QB out, especially in crucial time as the Pack are fighting for the playoffs. So it doesn’t surprise me that the Packers defense showed up yesterday, as they have all year. The reality for the Vikings is that Webb was a third stringer prior to this game who has never played a game in snowy conditions such as today. I don’t think the Vikings defense will step up and play the hero role as much because their season is all but over. If they get behind in this game by 2 TDs then they’ll really roll over. Many players on both sides have said they are not excited about playing this game on the frozen field. At least the Bears have something to play for as they are fighting with Phily for a first round bye with the #2 spot in the NFC. I really expect the Bears to come out and avenge their last week lose. Things will get tough for Job Webb early and often as he’ll struggle in his first start. I'm predicting a 24-10 victory.
Take the Bears -7