Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears Preview

By J.E. | Saturday, October 15, 2005 | ( 0 )

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The Minnesota Vikings (1-3) head to Soldier Field to take on the Chicago Bears (1-3) in a NFC North divisional matchup. Kickoff is set for 1:00pm ET in Chicago.

There are a lot of similarities between the Minnesota Vikings and the Chicago Bears. Both teams expected to be better than their matching 1-3 records would indicate, and both have been hampered by injuries that have slowed their offensive and defensive production. Even so, both teams trail the Detroit Lions by just one game in the weak NFC North division. That makes Sunday's contest a must-win for each side.

The Vikings are coming off a bye week, so they've had some extra time to regroup after losing three of their first four games for their worst start since 2002. Quarterback Daunte Culpepper has shouldered much of the blame for the many problems on offense. Culpepper has thrown for 1019 yards and 4 touchdowns so far this season, but he also leads the NFL in interceptions with 10. It's not all his fault, though. Minnesota's pass protection has been terrible. The offensive line has allowed 20 sacks in 4 games, including 9 against Atlanta on October 2nd.

Culpepper hasn't had any help from the running game, either. The Vikings' leading rusher is Mewelde Moore, who has gained just 187 yards this year. The departure of Randy Moss during the offseason and a lingering injury to Nate Burelson have left Minnesota without a big-time wide receiver. Travis Taylor has just 18 receptions for 215 yards and 2 TDs, while rookie Troy Williamson has caught 9 passes for 166 yards and 2 scores.

Minnesota will have to see some big improvements from all of these players in order to win on the road this week.

The Chicago Bears have had plenty of offensive woes of their own to deal with. Quarterback Kyle Orton is still learning the ropes and has made some costly rookie mistakes in the Bears' three losses. Orton has thrown for 557 yards and 2 touchdowns, along with 6 interceptions. His completion percentage is just 54.4. One of Orton's biggest problems has been his inability to find WR Mushin Muhammad with any consistency. Muhammad, who led the league in reception yards last year with 1405 for Carolina, is well off that pace this season. He has just 250 yards and 2 TDs on 22 catches.

The Bears running game could be in trouble this week. Leading rusher Thomas Jones is nursing a sprained knee and is listed as questionable for this game. If Jones sits out, the Bears will start rookie Cedric Benson. Benson has rushed for 65 yards on 24 carries in limited action this season.

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