Muckslinger --- Big Sunday Play

Muckslinger · #1 10-16-2011, 09:23 AM

10* --- Minnesota +3

4* -- Minnesota +115

AP may have 150 - 200 in this one.

Allen may have 2-3 sacks

1. Minnesota needs to establish a ground attack: The Vikings were able to get their first victory by mounting an effective running game in Week 5, as Adrian Peterson racked up 122 yards. They average 160 yards per contest (5.4 yards per attempt) while the Bears have been inconsistent (4.7 yards per attempt) defending the run. Look for offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave to pound the rock with Peterson to control the tempo of the game.

2. Take shots down field in the passing game: The Bears are marginal defending the pass (yielding 284 yards per contest). Donovan McNabb has shown flashes of being effective, stretching opposing secondaries with the long ball. Musgrave needs to dial up some long balls to the Vikings' talented targets (Percy Harvin, Michael Jenkins, Devin Aromashodu and rookie tight end Kyle Rudolph) to exploit this Chicago secondary.

3. Stop Forte first: The Bears build their offense around featured back Matt Forte (leading rusher and receiver that accounts for more than 50 percent of their offense). He has excellent instincts with deceptive power and speed. The Vikings are excellent defending the run (76 yards per contest, 3.3 yards per attempt) and Vikings defensive coordinator Fred Pagac should focus on taking away Forte to force other Bears to move the chains.

4. Bring the heat in passing situations: The Bears have been terrible protecting Jay Cutler this year, giving up 18 sacks. The Vikings are excellent at pressuring opposing signal-callers (second-best in the league with 16 sacks). Pagac will be aggressive with a variety of seven- and eight-man blitz packages to exploit a struggling Chicago offensive line.

5. Matchup to watch: Minnesota RB Adrian Peterson vs. the Chicago linebacking corps: The Vikings rely heavily on Peterson to move the chains, as he leads the league with 110 rushing attempts and is second with 498 yards rushing. The Bears have excellent linebackers -- Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs and Nick Roach -- but have been inconsistent defending the run.

6. Get more players involved offensively: Forte has been the workhorse for the Bears in 2011, touching the ball more than 20 times per game. Opposing defenses game plan to stop Forte. Look for offensive coordinator Mike Martz to be more creative getting other players involved (Devin Hester, Johnny Knox, Kellen Davis and others) to make Minnesota defend the entire field.

7. Tighten up pass protection: Given their awful performance on Monday night against the Detoit Lions, the Bears need to do something to improve their offensive line play. Martz needs to use more slide protections and maximum protection schemes to keep Cutler upright.

8. Flush McNabb out of the pocket: McNabb is a 13-year veteran who has lost his ability to improvise effectively out of the pocket. He tends to force the ball when under duress in the passing game. Bears defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli should utilize more zone blitzes to flush McNabb out of the pocket while protecting his inconsistent coverage defenders.

9. Win on special teams: The Bears have struggled offensively (ranked 31st in the league) and this has affected Chicago's overall defensive play. Both clubs have solid special teams, but Chicago appears to have a distinct advantage in the return phase of the kicking game. Look for special teams coordinator Dave Toub to utilize a wrinkle or two to make an explosive play in the return game.

10. Matchup to watch: Chicago OT J'Marcus Webb vs. Minnesota DE Jared Allen: Webb is a massive lineman with good strength and technique for the tackle position. Allen has been the Vikings' most consistent edge rusher since joining the team in 2008. He is a crafty veteran with great speed and counter moves off the edge. Allen will give the second-year tackle Webb fits in the passing game.