Chicago Bears Defeat the Minnesota Vikings: Assessing the Key Divisional Victory

This critical division game between the Chicago Bears and the Minnesota Vikings was billed as a showdown between evenly matched teams.  Most analysts, however, favored the Vikings to upset the Bears at home.  In the Fox pregame show, for instance, only Jimmy Johnson picked the Bears to win. 

Early in the game, those predictions of Vikings supremacy looked as if they’d come true, as the Bears looked lost offensively and defensively.  On offense, dropped passes killed early drives and led to a Husain Abdullah interception when WR Johnny Knox tipped an on-target Cutler pass into the hands of the lurking defender.  Meanwhile, on defense, Favre was moving the ball well against a Bears defense using the quick pass.

Bears fans grew anxious when in the second quarter the Vikings crossed into scoring position within the Bears’ 10-yard line.  The Bears defense, however, would not lie down and allow the game to get out of hand early.

On back-to-back running plays, Bears defenders sniffed out the play-call and stymied the Vikings rushers for no gains.  This defensive stand forced the Vikings to settle for a field goal attempt, which the cold, gusty winds flowing off Lake Michigan helped nudge into the left upright.

The Bears responded with a flurry of offense, driving downfield and capitalizing with a beautiful Cutler TD pass to Greg Olsen in traffic.

The Bears had regained the initiative, and the Vikings, despite two big passing plays to Percy Harvin, would never regain control of the game.  Dominance on special teams and defense propelled the Bears to victory in the second half. 

Now, Chicago has regained its half-game lead over the Green Bay Packers for control of the NFC North.  Moreover, this victory has solidified Chicago as a legitimate playoff contender.  Meanwhile, the Vikings season has likely descended deeper into its downward spiral.  The battle for the NFC North has narrowed to Green Bay and Chicago.    

Keys to Victory

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CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 14: Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears runs for a first down as Ray Edwards #91 and Madieu Williams #20 of the Minnesota Vikings give chase at Soldier Field on November 14, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Imag

Chicago’s big victory over Minnesota can be attributed to a number of factors.  However, five aspects of this game stood as essential to ensuring the victory:

1. Jay Cutler on the Move

As he did against Buffalo, Jay Cutler moved well inside and outside of the pocket all afternoon.  Statistically, this wasn't his best game (three TDs to two INTs), but the stat line was misleading, as Cutler controlled the Vikings secondary behind solid pass protection.  His biggest mistake was a terrible interception in heavy traffic to Johnny Knox, which squandered a scoring opportunity—a bad habit he must exorcise to become an elite QB.

2. Mike Martz’s Play-Calling

Once again, Martz maintained a balanced offensive attack (40 passes and 34 runs).  Consequently, the Bears enjoyed great offensive production, while controlling the clock.  Moreover, by sticking to the run, Chicago’s backs fell into a groove in the second half, allowing the Bears to grind the Vikings down and keep the comeback king, Brett Favre, on the sidelines.  

3. Punt and Kick Return Dominance

With Hester back returning kickoffs, Chicago’s offense enjoyed favorable field position on most drives, enabling them to enter scoring range quickly and often.  Even Rashid Davis got involved in the action, returning a line-drive punt to midfield, sparking a Bears scoring drive.

4. Bend-but-don't-break Defense 

The Bears defense suffered some big miscues this afternoon, giving up two long passes to Percy Harvin, as safeties Chris Harris and Danieal Manning struggled to cover the sidelines in the Cover-2.  Nonetheless, the defense remained resilient, holding the Vikings to 13 points and a ghastly 11 percent third-down conversion rate (only converted one attempt).  Two big interceptions sealed the victory in the second half.

5. Stopped AP  

The Vikings’ biggest offensive asset is its superstar running back, Adrian Peterson, who has a track record of running well against the Bears.  Today, however, Chicago bottled up the dynamic back, as the perennial Pro Bowler gained a pedestrian 51 yards. 

Credit DT Matt Toeaina, who had big stops on at least two plays.  Meanwhile, Julius Peppers had another solid game against the run, stopping Peterson on a couple occasions behind the line.  Without Peterson running well, Minnesota had to pass, and Brett Favre, without his star receivers, threw three interceptions against an opportunistic defense. 

MVPs & Play of the Game

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CHICAGO - OCTOBER 24: Offensive coordinator Mike Martz of the Chicago Bears watches a play against the Washington Redskins at Soldier Field on October 24, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Redskins defeated the Bears 17-14. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Im

Offense: Mike Martz

Martz called a well-balanced game and utilized Jay Cutler’ s arm strength and mobility to convert several key third downs.  His risky call to pass to TE Kellen Davis on a 3rd-and-1 attempt paid off big-time with a TD pass that essentially put the game out of reach for Minnesota.

Defense: The Entire Defensive Line

Toeaina, Peppers and Melton all had strong games containing opposing rushers.  Although they produced no sacks, the line still generated consistent pressure, forcing errant passes and causing a Favre fumble before half. 

Bears fans should be excited with how well DT/DE Henry Melton has played in recent weeks.  If he can develop into a solid interior pass rusher, the Bears defense will become even more formidable.

Special Teams:  KR/PR Devin Hester

Hester’s dynamic return skills afforded the Bears’ offense excellent field position all day.  Hester averaged 23 yards on punts and a whooping 50 on kick returns.  His best return of the afternoon was when he returned a punt for 42 yards after being pinned on the sideline.  Hester’s elusiveness and surprising strength allowed him to break through several tackles. 

Play of the Game: Devin Hester’s 19-yard TD Reception

After a huge TD pass to Percy Harvin, the Bears had to respond to the Vikings before half.  Following an excellent Rashid Davis kick return, Cutler drove the Bears to the Vikings 19-yard line.  Martz called a well-timed crossing route for Devin Hester; Cutler connected with the speedster, who used his elusiveness and quickness to reach the end zone.  

Moving Forward

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CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 14: Members of the Chicago Bear defense including (L-R) Lance Briggs #55, D.J.Moore #30, Julius Peppers #90 and Pisa Tinoisamoa #59 celebrate Brigg's interception against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field on November 14, 2010 in Ch

In back-to-back games, Chicago has played efficiently and effectively on offense.  Although the Bears were plagued by penalties and two turnovers, Chicago still prevailed handily against an excellent Vikings defense.   Meanwhile, the Bears defense and special teams have reaffirmed their rightful place among the NFL’s elite.   

If Chicago can continue to play well and improve offensively, there is no reason this team cannot make the playoffs and perhaps compile a win or two come January.  The arrow definitely points up for this young Chicago Bears team. 

The key for Chicago is that they must maintain solid pass protection, minimize turnovers and get a little more production from their running game. 

At 6-3, Chicago still needs to demonstrate it can defeat an elite team, which, in some ways, it accomplished against Green Bay earlier this season.  However, with the New York Jets and New England coming up, Chicago will finally have to chance to gauge itself against two of the NFL’s best teams.  If the last two weeks were a good indicator of the future, Chicago should a have fighting chance to rise to the challenge. 

Expect good things for this Bears team moving forward.