Prediction: Vikings 23, Chicago 17 Maybe the Vikings' Windy City wobbles will continue. After all, they're 1-8 in Chicago since 2001. But given what we saw from both these teams last week, it's more likely Bears quarterback Jay Cutler will have Jared Allen's beard permanently tattooed on his back by night's end. Chicago's shaky offensive line play should open the door for the first Vikings winning streak of the season.
In Peterson, Chicago hope Vikings star Adrian Peterson has left more than a few footprints in the Soldier Field grass during his career. In four games in Chicago, Peterson has rushed for 490 yards and seven touchdowns. His coming-out party as a rookie came, coincidentally, in Week 6 at Soldier Field in 2007, when he rushed for 224 yards and three scores. "A lot of good memories there," Peterson said. The Pro Bowl back has a great chance to add to that memory bank Sunday night against a shaken Bears defense that might be without end Julius Peppers.
Here's the catch If you're looking to see marquee receivers Sunday, might we suggest watching Dallas vs. New England instead? The Bears and Vikings, meanwhile, might have the two worst receiving corps in the NFL in terms of star power and production. Chicago's top wide receiver in terms of catches is undrafted rookie Dane Sanzenbacher with 16 grabs. The Vikings' leading receiver is Michael Jenkins (20 catches, 176 yards). Translation: offensive coordinators Bill Musgrave of the Vikings and Mike Martz of the Bears should turn this into a Peterson vs. Matt Forte showcase.
Praise from afar for Berrian A week after being punished and being left inactive against Arizona, irritable receiver Bernard Berrian returns to the city where he spent the first four seasons of his career. And while Berrian has agitated both Vikings fans and coach Leslie Frazier in recent weeks, Bears coach Lovie Smith remembers a more productive Berrian who helped the Bears to the Super Bowl in 2006. "Bernard was a good football player for us here," Smith said this week. "Those are my dealings with him. So we have to be ready every time we face him."
MANO-A-MANO: A MATCHUP TO WATCH
Vikings punter Chris Kluwe vs. Bears return specialist Devin Hester
About Kluwe Averaging 46.8 yards per punt this season and has put seven of his 24 punts inside the 20.
About Hester His NFL-record 11 punt return touchdowns include three against Kluwe, most recently a 64-yard score in 2010.
Who has the edge? Kluwe gets the opportunity to touch the ball on every Vikings punt. Hester might not. From that standpoint, the Vikings veteran would be wise to aim for the sidelines. So long as Kluwe retains control, the Vikings should be OK.
