James Sullivan, a fellow writer at Bleacher Report, and an avid Bears fan, has agreed to let me post his preview for Sunday Night’s big matchup over here. I found it very interesting to read a Chicago fan’s perspective regarding his teams’ chances in this game. Manimal will be back next week with analysis! Enjoy!

Kyle Orton

As soon as the clocks ran out in Saint Louis and Jacksonville on Sunday, Bears and Vikings fans everywhere breathed a momentary sigh of relief before setting their sights on a huge game looming in the near future. Both teams’ playoff hopes hang in the balance, and the stakes rarely get any higher in the NFL today.

The magnitude of this game can’t be underestimated. While the winner can build upon the momentum that they gained with convincing road wins this past week and focus on winning one more divisional game to potentially lock up a playoff spot, the loser will face an uphill battle in the coming weeks and must hang their playoff hopes on the outcome of other division games as the season comes to a close.

Truly, I think that this is what NFL football is all about; a true NFC North showdown of epic proportions. This division has been hard for me to wrap my head around all season, and both of these teams have won and lost some games they shouldn’t have.

Despite the unpredictability of both teams, I think that there are some things that both teams need to predict and address accordingly this week if they want to come out of Sunday night’s game with a 7-5 record.

1. The Battle in the Trenches

This will likely to be a much lower-scoring affair than the last time these teams met, and I know it gets said a lot, but I think it is especially true this week that whichever team manages to dominate the line of scrimmage for four quarters will win this game, period.

Both teams possess solid running backs and physical offensive lines, but just as importantly, both teams rank near the top of the league in run defense.

As a Bears fan, I was overjoyed when I heard that the “Williams Wall” might be forced to sit this game out, but it appears both All-Pro defensive tackles will be active on Sunday.

The Bears have been fortunate enough to avoid any major injuries to their front seven so far this year and the team’s depth at the defensive tackle position might help wear down Minnesota’s running game.

In the first meeting between these two teams, Adrian Peterson rushed for 121 yards, but nearly half of his total came on one long TD run.

The other reason to expect a low-scoring game won at the line of scrimmage is because both teams’ passing games have been subject to a great deal of scrutiny in recent weeks.

For the Bears, Orton’s injury and the lack of a consistent downfield receiving threat might make it hard for them to produce through the air. If Jared Allen plays this week, the Bears will also have to account for his pass rush, which is one of the league’s deadliest.

For Minnesota, Gus Frerrotte’s checkered performance this season has been marked by 12 interceptions, including four against the Bears’ sub-par and injury-ridden secondary in Week 12.

2. Special Teams

If you look at the Vikings special teams performance this season, it’s easy to see how they’ve managed to disappoint so many fans and analysts this year who saw them as a possible Super Bowl contender in the preseason. The truth is that their special teams play has been their Achilles’ heel all season long. It killed them in losses to the Bears and Bucs, and almost killed them in close wins over the Saints and Packers.

The Bears special teams has failed to live up to expectations this season, and Devin Hester has not been the only problem, but I would look for the Bears’ special teams to come up with a big play again this week.

If I were Brad Childress, I might consider keeping the defense on the field in fourth down situations instead of fielding a punt return team this week and risk losing the ball again. 

At the end of the day, the Bears have relied on special teams too much this season and the Vikings seem to have overlooked that phase of the game completely, so it’s difficult to predict based on what they have done so far this season, but I would certainly look for special teams to play a big part in the outcome Sunday night.

3. Finishing

Both teams have struggled all year long with finishing games up strong. The Bears have had a tendency to squander double-digit leads late in the fourth quarter this year. The Vikings have also had trouble holding onto leads and capitalizing on opponents’ errors.

Both are coming off easy wins, but I wouldn’t expect either team to roll over and die like the Jaguars and Rams did this past weekend, but the key for the coaches will be having the sense to put the nail in the coffin late and not become complacent in their play-calling, possibly enabling the other team to mount a comeback late in the game. 

The winner this week may not be the best all-around team in the division, but they will certainly be the most likely to go to the playoffs. The NFC North hasn’t gotten much respect or attention this year because of their mediocre records, but I think that whoever wins this division has a good chance to surprise people in the post-season.

Although this has almost zero connection with the Vikings, I wrote this piece at Bleacher Report and I thought you’d be interested. If you don’t care about Joe Flacco, please skip this and make sure that you’ve read Manimal’s analysis of the Viking’s win of Jacksonville. Enjoy!

Joe Flacco

It was draft day. John Harbaugh found himself in a tough position, as did everybody else in the room that day. As head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, Harbaugh held the fate of his team in his hands.

He and his scouting department had been debating who to select with the 8th overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft for months. Harbaugh drove to Radio City Music Hall that day with peace of mind because he knew that he would draft Joe Flacco; the strong quarterback out of Delaware.

As the draft got closer and closer to their 8th pick, Harbaugh was delighted to see that Flacco wasn’t even being debated as an option among other teams.

When the Atlanta Falcons choose quarterback Matt Ryan with the 3rd overall pick, however, that inner peace turned to turmoil. What was wrong with Flacco?

The decision to draft Flacco was not an easy one to make. Some draft projectors had this young quarterback going in the third or fourth round. To pick up Flacco any earlier would be considered by them as a rookie mistake.

Harbaugh was not without pressure this late April day. He was in his first year of coaching a professional franchise, coming off a decade of assistant coaching with the Philadelphia Eagles. The first nine years were spent in the unglamorous job of special teams coach. Harbaugh was dreaming big, though, and wanted to become a head coach.

Special teams coordinators are rarely hired as head coaches. In order to make Harbaugh’s dream a possibility, head coach Andy Reid switched him to defensive backs. Sure enough, after just one year he was selected as the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens.

There were big boots left behind by former coach Brian Billick. Harbaugh’s precedor was a football mastermind, and high expectations were thrust on his shoulders as soon as his plane touched down in Baltimore.

Now, just months after his hiring, Harbaugh faced a decision that would shape his team’s future for years to come. Drafting a quarterback in the first round is never an easy choice to make, but in Harbaugh’s position it was even tougher. The only quarterbacks on the Baltimore roster were Troy Smith and Kyle Boller, and if what certain scouts were saying about Flacco were true, he could easily wrestle his way to the starting position in training camp.

Flacco’s coach at Delaware was determined to get his quarterback drafted as high as possible. In an interview with a Baltimore newspaper, K.C. Keeler said, “I asked a number of different scouts who has a better arm in the NFL (than Flacco) and they couldn’t give me a name.”

To those who thought Flacco would be a third- or fourth-round pick Keeler said, “Put Joe next to the other quarterbacks in the country, and he’ll blow by them.”

Flacco had won the long distance throw competition in ESPN’s State Farm College Football All-Star Challenge, as well as the Taco Bell QB scramble. But it wasn’t just his physical attributes that attracted him to Harbaugh.

Delaware runs an NFL-style offense, and any starting quarterback needs experience in that type of system before they can be thrown on the field and expected to perform well. On top of that, Delaware coach Keeler had been grooming Flacco for the NFL for years. They both felt he was ready.

But now, as the 8th selection in the 2008 Draft came closer and closer, Harbaugh had millions of second thoughts debating whether a rookie should ever be a starting quarterback in this league.

Peyton Manning started every game as a rookie and he’s turned out alright. Then again, so did David Carr. Ryan Leaf, Charlie Batch, and Joey Harrington all started at least nine games their rookie season, and Harbaugh would certainly lose some of his new reputation if that happened to Flacco.

Joe Flacco had the strongest arm in the 2008 Draft.

Maybe he should take another route this draft. There was a need at running back, why not Arkansas superstar Darren McFadden? A few minutes later the Oakland Raiders staked claim to him.

No, he needed to make a decision. If he wanted Flacco he needed to attempt to trade down, because Harbaugh was convinced he was the only one in the state of New York who was sure that Flacco was going to be great.

As Harbaugh worked the phones like a telemarketer there was always that uneasy feeling in the back of his mind. Jonathan Stewart was still available, and ready for taking… Before they knew what had happened, GM Ozzie Newsome, with the help of Harbaugh, had traded their 8th overall pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars in return for the 18th pick and a package of others.

While analysts were immediately calling their trade a work of genius, Harbaugh was sweating bullets. He was convinced of Flacco’s value, but nobody else seemed to be. Flacco seemed a perfect quarterback, one who was not arrogant, self-centered, or cocky. In fact, when asked by a coach why he doesn’t dance around after a touchdown pass Flacco responded modestly, “(M)y family would hammer me. They would say I’m a big dork.”

Over six months later and the selection of Flacco with the 18th overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft seems like a steal. The quarterback of the Ravens is not leading his team to excellence, but a 7-4 record is certainly one to be proud of.

With a rookie quarterback, rookie head coach, and rookie runningback, not much was expected of this young team. The 2008 season has been a surprise for everyone. Although they aren’t leading the league in any major categories, the reborn Baltimore Ravens are making others jealous.

In order to keep me from being skinned alive, I must say that I used some journalistic license in this piece. Nobody but Harbaugh knows what was going through his mind on April 26th, but this is my best guess. If anybody disagrees or has another opinion, please let me know in the comment section.

After last week’s hard-to-watch game, we have the exact opposite this week. The Jaguars spotted the Purple Warriors 14 points to start the game and the Vikes never looked back. This was easily the most relaxed I’ve been watching the Vikings play on a Sunday in a long, long time.

Napolean Harris returned the first play fumble for a TD

The Buffalo Wild Wings I frequent down here in Houston decided to be a little lax on their channel changing, so I actually missed the first 14 seconds. No big deal, right? Well, in any other game, it wouldn’t have been. The game came on and it was already 7-0 in favor of the Vikings. Needless to say, I was both estatic and horrified. I naturally assumed that we ran the opening kickoff back, but was surprised to see it was newly reacquired middle linebacker Napolean Harris who picked up a David Garrard fumble and ran it back 27 yards to the house. How great is that? A seven point lead with only 13 seconds run of the clock. Was it done from there? No way the Vikings could catch another break so soon, right?

Wrong.

Ensuing kickoff, Witherspoon snags the kickoff and runs it back, only to have Cedric Griffin knock the ball out for Dontarious Thomas to recover for the Vikings on the Jaguars 28. Next play, Chester Taylor rumbles for 11 yards. After that, Berrian takes an end around 14 yards to the Jaguars three. Finally, Taylor takes it in from three yards out after an absolutely beautiful spin move made walking into the endzone easy as apple pie.

Just like that, 14-0 Vikings with 1:35 off the clock. Could you believe it? This stuff happens to the Vikings, not for the Vikings. I was instantly euphoric and relaxed. It wasn’t as lopsided as it probably should have been considering the start, but I can’t find fault with much today.

Obviously, David Garrard had a career day against us. It looks as if we got the good Jaguars QB today, not his inconsistent alter-ego. Garrard had 317 yards through the air on 27 of 45 attempts. That’s a seven yard average per attempt. That’s a pretty dang good day. He did, however, throw two interceptions to only one touchdown, so that wasn’t as good. All in all, he had a great game. If Frerotte had games like that, minus the two interceptions, I’d be extremely happy. Nonetheless, the reason he threw so much was a big plus for the Vikings.

Maurice Jones-Drew getting tackled for little gain

Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew had combined for 915 yards coming into the game versus Minnesota. You may be wondering how many they had after the game. Their total yardage amounted to 939 yards. That’s 24 yards for the game. I was honestly worried that they would have a decent enough of a game to make Garrard’s life too easy. This? The Vikings defense dominated the Jaguars running game. The Vikes’ defensive line completely dictated the line of scrimmage and forced Garrard to put it in the air early. Of course, the 14 points at the start of the game made the Jags play catch up from the get go. For rushing totals, Jacksonville rushed the ball a paltry 14 times for 35 yards (the other attempts came mainly from Garrard). That’s a 2.5 yard average. The Jaguars were averaging 118 rushing yards a game. Kudos to the Vikings’ defense for holding one of the best running back combos in the NFL to some terrible numbers.

The Vikings offense was adequate at best. They took advantage of the opportunities given to them and the defense did the rest. Frerotte only had 120 yards but only tossed the rock 20 times, completing 12 of them, and only one to the other team. That’s an average of six yards an attempt, which is actually pretty comparable to Garrard. Garrard just had to throw it more. His favorite receiver this week was Shiancoe who caught three passes for 60 yards, 40 of them coming from one play. He didn’t light up the sky, but he did the whole “game manager” thing fairly well.

Adrian Peterson lunging for a first down

The Vikings ran the ball much better than they passed, but it was still an off day. The Vikings running game combined for 122 yards on 34 attempts. That’s a 3.6 yard average for the team. Adrian Peterson continued to be Adrian Peterson running for 80 yards on 17 carries for a 4.7 yard average. Included in those yards are a 16 yard TD scamper to ice the game. Chester Taylor added 25 more yards and Bernard Berrian had two rushes for 22 yards. If you take out Frerotte and punter Chris Kluwe’s “runs” the total yardage becomes 127 yards on 28 attempts. That comes out to a 4.5 yard carry which sounds much better than the 3.6 yard average for the Vikings “total” rushers.

So, on the whole, the Vikings offense did what they had to; they took advantage of opportunities, didn’t turn the ball over, and ran the ball like the they are expected to. The defense did their part to keep the game from every being very close.

Four of the top five leading tacklers were in the Vikings secondary, which on a normal day would be a bad thing. Considering the run to pass ratio of the Jaguars, I would have been surprised if it were any other way. Antoine Winfield continues his Pro Bowl campaign with 12 tackles, 11 of them solo. He also forced a fumble. What an animal. He continues his dominating play. Don’t let his lack of interceptions fool you; teams just don’t throw his way as often as they do other Vikings’ cornerbacks.

The Vikings defensive line wasn’t at the same level pass rushing they were when playing the Packers, but they applied enough pressure to keep Garrard nervous. Don’t get me wrong; Garrard made all the plays he could, but the Vikings still sacked him four times during the game. Kevin Williams led the way with 1.5 sacks, Ray Edwards getting the other half of one of those. Backup defensive tackle Ellis Wyms contributed with another sack, and the big immovable object Pat Williams got a sack as well. Four sacks on 45 dropbacks isn’t that good, but it’s good enough. The Vikings still came out with a win, so it’s okay with me.

I haven’t commented on him much this year, but Ryan Longwell continues to be one of the most consistent and reliable members of the 2008 Minnesota Vikings. He was three for three on Sunday, one of them a 54 yard bomb. After going one for six on field goals over 50 yards the past two seasons, he’s four for four on them this year. Incidentally, that’s a Vikings’ franchise record. Longwell is 22 of 26 this year on field goals and 25 of 25 on extra points. He’s earning his money this year.

I still can’t help but wonder why Minnesota’s passing game is becoming so stagnant the past few games. For awhile there, it looked like Frerotte was going to have a career year and Berrian was a guaranteed 1,000 yard receiver. Now? Not so much. Berrian had one catch for six yards against the Jaguars. For someone making that kind of money, it’s simply unacceptable. I understand that he can’t throw the ball to himself, and he’s playing the “distraction” role, but he has got to run his routes, make good cuts, and get open. That’s what we pay him to do; stretch the field. It only helps EVERYONE on the team. It makes those safeties back off and helps those linebackers play a bit more off which, in turn, gives Adrian Peterson more room to run. And isn’t that what we all want to see?

Also of concern: the Vikings third down conversion percentage. They were four for 13 on third down. That’s a terrifying 31%. Again, simply unacceptable. I understand we ran the ball a lot on first and second down because of our lead, but we have to convert some short passes to keep those sticks moving, especially on third down. Gus needs to be a little more accurate and Childress has to call some more quick throws. Where are the slant routes? The out routes? Where are the screen passes? They will keep the defense honest and give the offense even more options.

Peterson making a cut

Overall, the Vikings played a good enough game to keep me relaxed enough to enjoy it. And you know what? It was a nice change. I’m all for the nail biters that come down to the last drive if the Vikings can pull out the win. There’s nothing better than knowing the souls of the opposing team’s fans are crushed, but being on the other side of that coin is equally as horrible. The Jaguars game? Like a nice cruise through the mountains; scenic enough to watch, but the lack of oxygen makes you just euphoric enough to be smiling the whole time.

Next week is the biggest game of the year yet: the Bears visit the Vikings at the Metrodome on a national stage for sole possession of first place in the NFC North following the Saints’ beatdown of the Packers on Monday Night Football. Can we beat them? Without a doubt. Will we? I have supreme confidence. I’m sure Andrew will have some good insight on that game later in the week. Until then…

SKOL Vikings!

Woot Woot!

I got an email the other day from a loyal Minnesotan. If you aren’t aware of this contest yet, please read!

WHAT: Fans can vote for their favorite video on www.nfl.com/howiseeit. The winning story will be turned into Samsung’s “The NFL: That’s How I See It” fan Super Ad commercial that will air during the Super Bowl XLIII pregame show on February 1 on NBC. More than 400 NFL fans shared their stories of pregame rituals, defining football moments and football routines that have been passed down for generations. 

WHEN: Nov. 20 – Dec. 3, 2008

WHERE: Visit www.nfl.com/howiseeit to vote.

WHY: Samsung and the NFL are giving fans the opportunity to share their passion and stories surrounding America’s favorite sport as part of this year’s “Super Ad: That’s How I See It” campaign.

John Schreiner, a Minnesota Vikings fan from Minneapolis, tells the
story of why he became a Vikings fan and how he got his lucky Vikings
hat that he wears to each game.

Carole Bjornson, a Minnesota Vikings fan from Hugo, tells the story of
a special purse that is a gift from her son who just left on
deployment to Iraq. She also collects autographed Vikings hats for her
son’s platoon to wear while watching games.

Amanda and Maxwell Downs, Green Bay Packers fans from Minnetonka, talk
about how the NFL should never end. Her son played at a Green Bay
Packers camp last year and won the leadership award – earning a trip
to a Packers game!

John McCarthy, a New York Giants fan from Eden Prairie, tells the
story of how he convinced his family to let him and a friend
commentate during the Super Bowl when the Minnesota Vikings played the
Miami Dolphins. They set up a card table and a tape machine and
called the game how they saw it.

Shannon Johnson, a Minnesota Vikings fan from Eden Prairie, tells the
story of how fantasy football turned her into an NFL fan. Johnson,
originally from Wisconsin, tends to be a fan of whomever she has
playing for her fantasy team that week.

Bruce Bailey, a Minnesota Vikings fan from Edina, talks about his
memories of growing up working with his dad at Vikings games. He
relates his tales of being a hot dog vendor and meeting his dad after
their work was done and eating a hot dog and watching some of the
game.

Be sure to vote!