Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears: 5 Things to Watch

Finally. The Vikings have a game that means something, and a game that will be on national television.

For Minnesota, this week's game against the Chicago Bears gives them a chance to at least climb into a tie for last place in the NFC North—the same position they finished at the conclusion of 2010.

While the odds of the Vikings making a historic recover, matching that of the 1992 San Diego Chargers, are remote, there's still plenty to watch this season. 

Charley Walters from the St. Paul Pioneer Press writes that rookie quarterback, Christian Ponder is only two losses away from making his regular-season NFL debut. With how poorly Donovan McNabb has played so far this season, it won't be long for the start of the Ponder era.

No one should be surprised that with a new coaching staff and a new quarterback, that it might take some time for things to come together. Along with this being the first NFL head coaching job for Leslie Frazier, it's also the first coordinator jobs for Bill Musgrave and Fred Pagac.

The problem this season has been how good the Vikings have looked at times, only to fall apart in the second half and lose the game.  

This will be Frazier's first game in Chicago as the Vikings head coach. Frazier, a member of the 1985 Chicago Bears who went 15-1 on their way to a Super Bowl win, will be looking to avenge the 40-14 loss from last season when the game was moved to TCF Bank Stadium after the roof of the Metrodome collapsed.

Here are five things to watch when the Vikings play the Bears. 

No. 5: Donovan McNabb and His Happy Feet

This game has huge importance for Donovan McNabb. While having only a marginally improved season from that in Washington last year, the expectations were much higher for McNabb with the Vikings. 

After a very poor showing in the opening week when he passed for only 39 yards against the Chargers, McNabb was showing some improvement each week as he learned became acquainted with his new receiving corp. 

He has established some rapport with free agent receiver Michael Jenkins, the Vikings leading receiver with a measly 20 receptions. 

Against the Chiefs, McNabb seemed to build a connection with tight end Visanthe Shiancoe, with six passes.

Then he took a huge step back against the Cardinals. At one point in the game, Adrian Peterson had more touchdowns than McNabb had completions.

The Christian Ponder watch is in full force and this could be one of McNabb's last starts if his losing ways continue.

No: 4: Chris Cook vs. Johnny Knox

Last week against the Arizona Cardinals, Chris Cook found himself matched up against the best wide receiver in the NFL in Larry Fitzgerald.

While Cook, and the rest of the Vikings defensive backfield, could not completely shut down the Cardinals receiver, they did limit him to four catches for 66 yards, and no touchdowns.

With Antoine Winfield likely out for his second straight game, this will be another opportunity for Cook to prove he was worthy of the Vikings second-round pick in 2010.

The Bears' Jay Cutler, who has been sacked more than any other quarterback this season, will likely face plenty of pressure from the Vikings. With four interceptions already this season, look for Cook and the Vikings defense, that had three interceptions last week, to continue their ball-hawking play.  

No. 3: Percy Harvin vs. Devin Hester

This could be a fun game to watch, if you like the return game, and you're not a special teams coach with the assignment to stop the best return man in the NFL in Devin Hester, or the Vikings' best kick returner in Percy Harvin.

Hester has 15 career returns for touchdowns—11 punt and four kickoff returns. Minnesota punter Chris Kluwe, will be instructed not to kick the ball to Hester. Look for Kluwe's 38.8 net punting average to take a hit—hopefully because he is kicking the ball shorted, and out of bounds, and not to Hester.

With the rule change moving the kickoff to the 35-yard line, the Bears will have a better chance of containing Harvin, who also has four kickoff returns for touchdowns. Along with the fact that Harvin has split the returns with Lorenzo Booker.

No. 2: Adrian Peterson vs. the Bears "Eight in the Box"

Adrian Peterson had a beast of a game against the Cardinals. Matching his career high with three rushing touchdowns, Peterson was not to be stopped against the Cardinals.  

With touchdown runs of four, 14 and 24 yards, Peterson was knocking defenders into the end zone as he scored.

Currently second in the NFL with 498 rushing yards, and leading the league with six touchdowns, look for the Vikings to continue to pound Peterson at the Bears.

Last week, Lions running back Jahvid Best had the season's longest run from scrimmage with an 88-yard touchdown run against Chicago. This could have been the result of the Bears focusing on stopping the Lions passing game of Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson. 

This week the focus for Chicago will be to stop Peterson—if they can.

No. 1: Jared Allen and Brian Robison vs. the Bears Offensive Line

Jared Allen is having a monster year. Currently leading the NFL with 8.5 sacks, Allen is on pace to set the NFL single-season record for sacks.

Along with his 8.5 sacks, he has also intercepted a pass, has a forced fumble, as well as a fumble recovery. Allen has led the Vikings in sacks each season since joining the team in 2008.

Last season, he took some criticism when his sack total dropped to 11, the lowest in four seasons for the eight-year veteran.

Some of the credit for Allen's resurgence has to go to Brian Robison. A fourth-round draft pick of the Vikings in 2007, Robison finally got his chance to start, taking over for Ray Edwards.

Going into the season, there was some questions as to whether Robison would be as effective, playing as a starter. Currently ninth in the league with 4.5 sacks, he's on pace to surpass the best season Edwards ever had with the Vikings. Edwards, who signed with the Falcons, currently has one sack.

The Bears, whose 56 sacks in 2010 were the most in the NFL, having given up the third most sacks this season with 18.

This is the Vikings' strength going against the Bears' weakness. With Chicago shuffling their offensive line in an attempt to find an answer, it should be a good week for Allen and Robison.

Prediction

This game will come down to the team that can shut down the other team's running back.

Matt Forte leads the Bears in receiving and rushing yards, while Adrian Peterson leads the NFL with six rushing touchdowns.

The Vikings are coming off their first win of the season and have some momentum, while the Bears lost to the surging Lions.

If this game were in Minnesota it would be easy to pick the Vikings. With the game in Chicago, it will be a close one.

Vikings 27

Bears 24

The Vikings rise to a tie in the NFC North basement.