Villaume: A commitment to Peterson?

(brief silent moment for Al Davis)

Turning around a troubled football team involves a commitment. While Minnesota has demonstrated talent in most games this year, poor second half performances have turned a 4-1 season into a 1-4 season. With both Detroit and Green Bay at 5-0, this week's game vs. the Bears is crucial in that Chicago stands in the way of movement toward any hope of a North division title and/or a playoff bid. And the Bears are the defending North champion no less.

This Sunday Night's game at New Soldier Field will be the 101st meeting between the two clubs, with the Vikings holding a 52-46-2 edge, though the Bears are 26-21-2 at home, having won the last three straight. 2007 was the last time Minnesota won in Chicago.

Adrian Peterson ran for 224 yards in 2007 as a rookie, and will probably be asked to duplicate that performance, or come close. Minnesota defeated the Cardinals last week thanks to Peterson's 29 carries for 122 yards and three touchdowns. Chicago surrendered over 180 yards vs. the Lions last week, including an long TD run by Jahvid Best. These two facts propel OC Bill Musgrave to consider a large dose of Adrian Peterson.

The commitment to the run will allow Donovan McNabb better opportunities to pass, and he needs them. The Bears' defense is shot, with DE Julius Peppers probably out and two starting safeties benched. Chris Conte and Major Wright replace a ineffective duo that includes dangerous Brandon Merriweather. Still, they are the Bears and will present difficulties for McNabb should he be in passing situations.

Minnesota won the first game of their franchise vs. the Bears in 1961. From 1969 to 1983 the Vikings won 22 of 29 games. But shortly after the Bears have won the 1986 Super Bowl. Chicago recently returned to the Super Bowl only to lose to the Colts' and defensive coach Leslie Frazier in 2007.

The ties obviously do not end there with Frazier, as he was the starting cornerback on the 1985 Chicago team that won the Super Bowl. It was in that game that Frazier's career ended and he ultimately started his coaching career.

The 2011 Bears are struggling at offensive line, with Jay Cutler being battered all season. They have given up the third most sacks in the league (18). Minnesota has the 2nd most sacks as a team, with league leading Jared Allen at 8.5, and fellow DE Brian Robison 9th with 4.5 sacks. In their last game Chicago had nine false starts. Sure, that was in a very loud Ford Field, but nine is a big number at an airport.

The strength of the Bears offense has been the play of Matt Forte. He is an elusive back, good running and receiving the ball. But stopping the run has been Minnesota's bread and butter for years on defense, and even with Antoine Winfield doubtful to play, will keep Forte in check. That leaves Cutler forced to throw with a line that has let him down often against a defensive front that has had recent success.

So, as bad as 2011 has been to the Vikings, it appears this Sunday Night all Minnesota needs to do to win is hand the ball to number twenty-eight and block. If they do, we can say..