Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings: Top 5 Reasons the Bears Can Win on Sunday

In a must-win game for both teams, especially for the Vikings, you might expect that every ounce of focus would be on the game itself. But not so fast, for if you're the Minnesota Vikings you have a multitude of distractions staring you in the face—distractions that could cost you an important win on Sunday at Soldier Field.

If you look at the talent on the field, there is no way that the Vikes should be only 3-5 and facing the probable elimination of any slim playoff hopes with a loss on Sunday.

They have a solid offense, and Adrian Peterson is having a terrific year. AD is averaging 4.8 yards per carry and has seven touchdowns. Sure, those 13 picks from Brett Favre hurts a lot, but Percy Harvin has become an effective weapon for Favre to throw to.

Plus, the Vikings defense is stout. They rank third in yards allowed in the NFL, eighth against the pass and fifth vs. the run. But, they are a minus-nine in turnover differential, thanks to those INTs and a defense that has only taken the ball away from opponents 10 times (tied with Dallas for worst in the NFC).

Meanwhile, we all know that the Bears have had their share of problems despite a winning record. The suddenly resurgent Minnesota pass rush, which recorded six sacks against Arizona last week, is licking its chops to face the Bears offensive line.

But the Bears seemed to have figured out that they need a better balance between throwing the ball and running the ball as pass-happy Mike Martz has either bought into this or has been told to go with it. Regardless of the reason, the Bears did a bit more max-protect schemes and high-percentage passes like screens and outlet passes to the backs, even at the expense of sacrificing the home runs that Martz likes to shoot for.

While the running game was bad last Sunday, it helped control the time of possession, and fewer throws by Jay Cutler means fewer interception opportunities.

In addition to all this, I have pared down the reasons for a possible Bears victory into the following five categories. Let me know what you think.

Texting, Sexting and Other Distractions

There have been many distractions for the Vikings this season. There is the ongoing investigation into alleged sexting by Brett Favre, with Jenn Sterger finally talking to league officials this week.

Meanwhile, there is the whole "we hate our coach" stuff going on, and the Randy Moss blowup and eventual release. The owner almost fired Childress after learning that he had released Moss without telling him.

Percy Harvin's headaches aren't all related to the migraines, by the way. He and coach Chilly had words, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune. "The two had a heated exchange during practice Friday because Childress wanted Harvin to have an MRI on his ankle and Harvin refused," quoted the Star.

Can the Vikes focus on beating the Bears with all that has gone on? Everyone associated with the team thinks so, and they did rally to beat Arizona last week. Still, it can't help to have all this crap going on around the team, especially with their backs against the wall this week in a must-win game.

The Players Hate Brad Childress

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EDEN PRAIRIE, MN - OCTOBER 7: Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress answers questions from the media during a press conference at Winter Park on October 7, 2010 in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)

I'm not suggesting that the Vikings will lay down on Sunday or that the team has quit on coach Chilly, but a bunch of players do not like playing for him nor respect him. Add to that the pressure of a must-win game on the road and there is the strong possibility that something may erupt on the sidelines if things start to go awry.

Players bemoan the lack of people skills and communication from Chilly. It's tough enough to get everyone pulling on the same end of the rope without all of the distractions and emotions that continue to rage in Minnesota. In fact, if Favre continues to completely ignore his game plan and gets yelled at for his  audibles on Sunday, there could be a confrontation given that this is such a huge game.

The pressure is more on the Vikings than on the Bears for if they lose, Minnesota's season is all but over. A loss would be tough for the Bears to overcome, but at least the first-place Packers have a bye this weekend.

The Vikings Can't Win on the Road

Now it's true that the Bears are only 2-2 at home and have lost their last two at Soldier Field. Still, this is a Vikings team that has lost its last eight road games. Minnesota hasn’t won away from the Metrodome in over a year. It has also lost eight of its last nine on the road in Chicago.

While the Bears have struggled against Seattle and Washington at home, the Vikings' only two wins since September have come against the Lions and Cardinals—not exactly world beaters.

The Vikings defense has given up 85 points in its last three road losses, and the team almost lost to Arizona last weekend, having to make a furious rally to win in overtime against the 3-5 Cardinals.

The Bears Take the Ball Away and Don't Shoot Themselves in the Foot

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TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 07: Chris Harris #46 and Anthony Adams #95 of the Chicago Bears celebrate Harris's interception with 27 seconds left against the Buffalo Bills at Rogers Centre on November 7, 2010 in Toronto, Canada. Chicago won 22-19. (Photo by R

That above statement is a prediction, not a certainty. Based on the adjustments that offensive coordinator Mike Martz was willing to make last Sunday against the Bills, the Bears seem to finally understand that they do not have the personnel to go for the home run every time. They need a controlled passing game with shorter drops and fewer chances for interceptions.

In short, the Bears needed to stop beating themselves by forcing the ball downfield when they do not have the offensive line or weapons to do so.

It's true that it will be very tough to run on the Vikings, and last Sunday's rushing performance gives us little hope that the Bears can run the ball effectively anyway. However, sometimes it's better to punt the ball away than to force the action and make mistakes.

Speaking of mistakes, the Vikings make a lot of them. Favre has thrown 13 INTs and if the Bears can pressure him, they can take the ball away. The Vikings have forced only 10 turnovers while the Bears have double that amount. No team in the NFC has taken the ball away more than the Bears, which does not bode well for Mr. Favre.

Berrian and Harvin Questionable; Rice Will Not Play

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MINNEAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 07: Wide receiver Percy Harvin #12 of the Minnesota Vikings gets ready for the game with the Arizona Cardinals at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on November 7, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Wide receivers Bernard Berrian and Percy Harvin are both listed as questionable on the injury report, though it appears they will both play on Sunday against the Bears. Harvin, in particular, is still suffering from migraines that have plagued him the last two years. 

If Harvin can't go or is limited on Sunday, that would be a huge loss for the Vikings and Brett Favre. Harvin led the Vikings with 126 receiving yards last week against Arizona.

Meanwhile, count Bears coach Lovie Smith among those who will be surprised to learn that Judd Zulgad of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports that the Vikings did not add Rice to their active roster on Saturday.  While Rice would have been rusty and limited, Favre was looking forward to throwing to his old target from last season.

The Vikings passing game has been inconsistent this year and Favre has more INTs (13) than TDs (9). While the Bears give up a lot of yards against the pass, that stat and possible bad weather on Sunday may force the Vikings to run the ball more. While that isn't bad news for Minnesota given the success that Adrian Peterson has had versus the Bears in his career, it does make the Vikings one-dimensional on offense.