Vikings-Bears Takeaways: Devin Hester Outscores Vikings, Donovan McNabb Benched

Hester outscored the Vikings all by himself
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I really thought the Vikings were better than this.  I didn't think they were great, but I thought they could play football.  Truthfully though, their team is still a traveling circus with the scent of Favre on it.

The Bears had the game locked up after their opening drive, and the entire affair was essentially a juxtaposition.  Devin Hester outscored the Vikings all by himself.  Jay Cutler looked fantastic while Donovan McNabb was benched.  Matt Forte was all over the field, and Adrian Peterson cobbled together 39 yards.

Devin Hester Outscores Entire Teams

Thank you, Minnesota
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Let's start with Devin Hester.  His 48-yard touchdown catch on the Bears' third play of the night pretty much set the tone for Minnesota, who might as well have watched the rest of the game from the sidelines.  And just as Minnesota's Adrian Peterson scored his teams only touchdown of the night early into the third quarter, Hester returned the next kick 98 yards to the house. 

Let me put this in perspective.  Points scored Week 6:

St. Louis: 3

Minnesota: 10

Devin Hester: 12

Jacksonville: 13

Minnesota: 13

Houston: 14

 

Why do people kick to this guy?  Not that I mind.  He's the most exciting player in the league. 

McNabb Is Learning That Minnesota Is Where Quarterbacks Go To Die

How did it come to this?
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I can't believe there's actually a Wikipedia page dedicated to Minnesota Vikings starting quarterbacks, but there is.  The Metrodome is a decaying shell, and so have been the quarterbacks who have resided there.

Frank Tarkenton retired in 1978.  Following him has been: Tommy Kramer, Wade Wilson, Sean Salisbury, Jim McMahon, Warren Moon, Brad Johnson, Randall Cunningham, Jeff George, Daunte Culpepper, Tarvaris Jackson, Brett Favre and now Donovan McNabb.

Against the Bears Sunday night, McNabb was a respectable 19-of-24 for 177, before being benched for rookie Christian Ponder.  It might not be the end of McNabb's career, but it effectively is.  Vikings coach Leslie Frazier has already admitted he will take a few days to consider his options at QB.  For McNabb, it's just a painful end to a good career.

Matt Forte Is Having a Great Season

He does it all
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The Vikings-Bears game was really a showcase of two great backs: Adrian Peterson and Matt Forte.  Only Forte came to play. However Peterson is hardly responsible for the Bears going full tilt right from the opening snap forcing the Vikings out of their game plan. 

Minnesota passed 42 times with only 17 running plays mixed in.   Peterson had 12 of those for 39 yards.  Meanwhile, Forte was all over the field.  He ran 17 times for 89 yards and caught six more passes for 36 yards.

Percy Harvin Is the Vikings Only Reciever

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Remember when Bernard Berrian caught 71 passes for the Bears for 950 yards?  He was great and that was 2007.  The Vikings signed him, and it has been downhill since.  Six games into 2011, he has seven catches.  I had to double check that.  Yes, seven.

Remember when Visanthe Shiancoe scored 11 touchdowns for the Vikings?  That was 2009.  Six games in to 2011, he has 16 catches.

Percy Harvin is the only person rookie quarterback Christian Ponder has to look forward to throwing to.  He has seasons of 60 and 71 catches behind him and already has 25 this year.

Jared Allen Got Another Sack

I love you, man
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Mike Martz made the right adjustments, and Jay Cutler had plenty of time to throw, but it was business as usual for Jared Allen who got to Cutler once and padded his league-leading sack total to 9.5.  He is the defensive lineman version of Devin Hester.

Jay Cutler Looked Great

Beast mode activated
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On the opening drive, after a handoff to Forte, Cutler whistled a 17-yard pass to Roy Williams.  That was just to make sure he was sufficiently warmed up—the way a pitcher might try a slider before going to the heater. 

Next came the 48-yard bomb, perfectly thrown between two Vikings defenders.  It fell untouched into Hester's lap.  Touchdown.  The Bears never looked back.  Cutler finished the night 21-of-31 for 267 yards, two touchdowns and a 115.9 passer rating.

Minnesota Faces Green Bay Next Week

Rogers may throw for 500 yards next week
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What hope can Minnesota possibly have after being destroyed Sunday night?  The unbeaten defending champion Green Bay Packers come into town next week.  Will this be Christian Ponder's opening team?  Will McNabb be booed off the field?  Will the Vikings lose by more than 40?

Minnesota is now 1-5.  And honestly on their remaining schedule, I see only three more possible wins. 

The Bears Face Tampa Bay Next Week

Earnest Graham is on my fantasy team
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The Bears are 3-3 now and play the Buccaneers next week in London.  This game could really go either way, with the added wild card of the game being played in jolly ol' England.  I see five more wins for the Bears coming up. 

However if they really play out of their minds like they did Sunday night, they could work their way into the post-season.  Sunday night's juggernaut was a good place to start.