Vikings vs. Bears: Matt Forte & Adrian Peterson in Clash of NFC North's Best RBs

This is almost like Walter Payton vs. Chuck Foreman, only Adrian Peterson is a bit better than Foreman and Payton were. You get the idea, though. The Bears taking on the Vikings with the running backs taking center stage.

With Mike Martz being dragged kicking and screaming into a more ball-control offensive scheme, we should see both backs get plenty of opportunities.

As a pure runner, AP is without peer. There is no other running back that has that type of speed, power and determination with the ball. Purple Jesus has been all the Vikings have had this year. He has rushed for 498 yards and six touchdowns, and he hasn't lost a fumble yet.

On the other side, no player has accounted for more of his team's offense than Matt Forte.

Forte has 785 yards from scrimmage; the Bears have 1,590 yards. That is 49 percent of the yards from scrimmage for which Forte is responsible.

He has had 112 touches and hasn't fumbled yet this season. So who is more valuable?

Well, it is kind of like comparing a Camaro to a Tahoe. Both rides will get you where you're going, two different styles of travel.

Both of these players figure to impact the game greatly tonight, but the key to this evening's contest will be in the more maligned areas of each team.

Can the Bears offensive line protect Jay Cutler from the Vikings' pass rush, led by NFL sacks leader Jared Allen?

Can the Vikings find a passing game and stop their second-half swoons?

I'm taking the Bears in this one. When the Bears commit to the run, they are a different team than what we've seen this year and they will defeat the Vikings.