Week 7 Preview: Bears Look To Rebound Against Vikings

Enough talk about last weekend’s heartbreaking loss to the Atlanta Falcons, what’s done is done and it is in the past.  The Bears are hoping for better results this Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, who have found their edge as of late.  After shining for the first part of the season, the Bears defense switched spots with the offense, which has now become a serious threat thanks to Kyle Orton’s growth.  The Bears defense will be hard pressed this week, facing off against star RB Adrian Peterson.  Hopefully returning home to Soldier field will be more than enough to put the Bears ahead and retake the NFC North lead.  The Keys for this week’s game:

1) Stop The Run/Welcome Back Bernard:  The Bears boast one of the strongest run defences in the league this year, and in order to beat the Vikes this week, Peterson will need to be very limited.  Urlacher and the Boys need to rebound after Sunday’s poor showing, and stopping Peterson would definitely make a statement to the rest of the league.  If the run is stopped, the Vikes will be forced to put the ball in the air, and this could be a problem with how the Bears secondary performed last week.  WR Bernard Berrian makes his return to his former team this week, and one can only hope Chicago gives him a proper welcoming.

2) Pressure the QB: Gus Frerotte has been decent since taking over the starting job for the Vikes, but he is by no means a standout.  If the Bears can keep pressure on him throughout the game, it could lead to many turnovers in the Bears’ favour.

3) 2nd Stringers Unite: The Bears are hobbling into this week’s matchup, with some key players not having participated thus far in the week’s practices.  The Bears 2nd stringers have stepped up this season, and it will be the case again this week should the key players sit out.  Those unlikely to play include Nathan Vasher, Charles Tillman, Devin Hester (Toe), Brandon Lloyd, Marty Booker, and Rashied Davis.

- Matt Forte has been out this week with a thumb injury, although he is expected to play.  This is good news as Forte has been the most consistent Bear all season long.

- With injuries to Booker, Davis, and Hester, rookie WR Earl Bennett may receive some reps this weekend.  He had a solid training camp and hopefully this can transfer results onto the field as well.

Although I don’t think this game will be as exciting as last week’s, it is definitely a must win for Chicago.  For a Vikings perspective of things, head on over to Jesse Noonan’s preview blog.

GO BEARS!

- Will

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Last post (s) by William Hillock

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