NFL Picks Week 6: Short Week for Chicago Bears Won't Matter Against Minnesota

The 2-3 Chicago Bears and 1-4 Minnesota Vikings are scheduled to square off for a divisional game on Sunday night at Soldier Field.  Chicago is coming off a tough loss against the Detroit Lions this past Monday, and the Vikings are riding high after earning their first win of the season over the Arizona Cardinals last Sunday.

Both teams' chances of a playoff appearance are becoming slimmer as each week passes because of the dominance by the Packers and Lions, so every game, especially divisional games, are that much more important.

As previously mentioned, the Bears suffered a loss against the Lions Monday night, so they have a shorter week of preparation compared to the Vikings who get an extra day because they played on Sunday. 

The following slides explain why the Bears' shortened week won't impact the game against Minnesota.

Devin Hester

Don't be surprised if you hear Bears' play-by-play man Jeff Joniak say his famous line, "Devin Hester, you are ridiculous!" once or twice throughout the showdown on Sunday night between the Bears and the Vikings.

Hester has had an unbelievable amount of success in his career against Minnesota.  According to NFL.com, in Hester's seven career games against the Vikings he's scored four touchdowns as a receiver, in addition to three more on punt returns.

Hester has yet to catch a passing touchdown so far in 2011, and he's housed just one punt this year, but don't be surprised if he finds the end zone once or twice whether it be catching one of Jay Cutler's passes or doing it by himself on special teams.

Donovan McNabb

By this time in Donovan McNabb's career you should be aware that he was born and raised in Chicago.  However, in Donovan's 13 years in the NFL he's never had the most success against the team he grew up rooting for.

The 34-year-old quarterback has faced the Bears seven different times in his career, most recently last year when he was quarterbacking the Washington Redskins.  According to NFL.com, McNabb has thrown more interceptions (seven) than touchdown passes (six), and the quarterback who's been known throughout his career as a pretty mobile guy has been sacked a total of 17 times in his seven games against the Bears.

McNabb is not getting any younger, and his mobility is slowly lessening as the years go on, so it's going to be tough for him to escape the Bears' pass rush any more then he has in the past. 

I don't see Donovan having a better game then previously against the Bears, so history should be on Chicago's side come Sunday night.

Soldier Field

There aren't many teams who enjoy coming to Chicago to play on Soldier Field because of the conditions the field is in.  There's grass instead of turf, and often times, that sodding becomes an issue for both teams playing at that time.

And unfortunately, the Bears have to play under those conditions eight times out of their 16 games scheduled.

However, the Bears are not usually frightened when Minnesota comes to town. According to bodog.com, the Bears are 9-1 against the Vikings in the teams' last 10 meetings at Soldier Field.

Being that this game is going to be televised nationally, Soldier Field will be a sold out, and the 12th man will be in effect.  Again, history is on the Bears' side even with the shortened week.

Julius Peppers vs. Adrian Peterson

Before Julius Peppers signed with the Chicago Bears, Adrian Peterson used to run wild over the Bears' defense.  He'd put up numbers that no Bear fan wanted to witness.  However, whenever Adrian Peterson faces a Julius Peppers led defensive line it's a different story.

According to NFL.com, Adrian Peterson has never rushed for more than 80 yards against Julius Peppers, whether he was in Carolina or Chicago.  He's scored just one rushing touchdown when Peppers is against him in his three games he played against Peppers.

Julius is an X-factor on the Bears' defensive line, and his presence will slow down AP itself.