Jeff Joniak’s Keys to the Game: Minnesota Vikings (3-3) At Chicago Bears (3-3)
Jeff Joniak, WBBM NewsRadio 780 Reporting
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (3-3) at CHICAGO BEARS (3-3)
ORANGE CRUSH: Orange is in Sunday at Soldier Field. Dressed in their alternative orange uniforms, Bears coach Lovie Smith is asking the fans to dress in kind. The color of choice has nothing do to with performance, but the “atmosphere” will be uniquely Chicago. Whatever emotion or excitement is pumping through the crowd needs to funneled by the players and used to create a hostile environment for the Vikings.
This is the type of game not to lose the crowd, especially coming off an emotionally draining loss in Atlanta.
A quick, aggressive start similar to the first quarter of the Philadelphia game at Soldier Field will create a winning environment for the Bears.
POUND PETERSON: In his last visit to Soldier Field, Adrian Peterson lived up to his nickname: “All Day” ran over, around, and through the Bears defense for 224 yards and three touchdowns. It was an awesome display of speed and power.
In the second game in Minnesota, Peterson failed to hit 80 yards, but scored two touchdowns.
Therefore, the idea is to make Peterson hesitate before he gets downhill with a head of steam. Slowing his burst and making him work for his yards requires the usual in a Bears defense: Gap penetration and control, and superb tackling.
If not, Peterson is capable of destroying the defense.
Up to this point, the Bears run defense has been outstanding. For example, in Atlanta the Falcons ran it 30 times. On 26 of those carries, the Bears allowed a total of eight yards. That is near perfection.
This Peterson however, is a completely different animal. New Orleans clamped down on him in week five allowing only 32 yards on 21 carries.
The Bears are equipped to do the same.
GANG UP ON GUS: In two of the Bears three losses, Tampa’s Brian Griese and Atlanta’s Matt Ryan were rarely touched on 97 combined pass attempts. Quick releases, three-step drops, and area throws resulted in enough damage to beat the Bears.
A black-and-blue welcome from the Front Four and blitz package would be perfect for 37-year old Vikings quarterback Gus Frerotte.
Go get him.
Go get him on first down where the Vikings are 28th in the NFL in gaining four-plus yards in the passing game. He is capable of hurting the Bears if he is not appropriately pressured.
The Vikings are 3- 1 with Frerotte as the starter with a productive passing game and emerging Bernard Berrian at receiver. Due to the Bears commitment to stopping Adrian Peterson, Frerotte will get the chance to beat the Bears, but some well-timed heat in clutch moments could curtail his success.
HIDDEN YARDAGE: With a sparkling special teams unit fueled by the explosive and game-changing return game, the Bears have earned enviable field position under Lovie Smith.
Even though Devin Hester has yet to go off in the return game, the Bears are still fourth in the league in average drive start.
Back home against a Vikings outfit that is allowing opponents to start drives on average near the 30-yard line -- No. 29 in the NFL-- the Bears need to cash in on enviable down and distance opportunities.
Minnesota’s punt coverage is last in the league due in part to a pair of Reggie Bush touchdowns. Vikings punter Chris Kluwe is in hot water with coach Brad Childress for kicking to Bush, instead of kicking out of bounds. Hester hit the Vikings with an 89-yard punt return touchdown last season at Soldier Field and a 45-yard punt touchdown in 2006, also at Soldier Field.
At a minimum, the Bears should benefit from great field position even if the Vikings avoid Hester. Bundle in a few takeaway returns defensively, and the Bears could set themselves up with a bunch of scoring opportunities.
RUN TO WIN, PASS TO SCORE: Few teams defend the run like the Vikings. The Williams Wall, features five Pro Bowls combined from Pat and Kevin Williams, one of the best tackle tandems in the game.
In 38 games under Brad Childress, the Vikings have allowed fewer than 70 yards rushing a game, and only Steven Jackson of the Rams in 2006, and Ryan Grant of the Packers in week one of this season have managed to hit 100 yards rushing.
The number of carries will be as important as the number of yards for the Bears. Getting to that 30-35 range is critical.
hrough six weeks, the Bears are averaging just over 29 carries. Kyle Orton is poised to do damage in the passing game. He is getting superb protection from the offensive line giving him time to spread the ball around in the passing game to a bunch of catch and run receivers.
The Vikings have finished the last two seasons last in the NFL in pass defense. Statistically, the Vikings are better this season, but still vulnerable.
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