Bears vs Vikings: Keys to a Chicago Bears Victory
Sep 8, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter at Soldier Field. Chicago defeats Cincinnati 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Keys to Victory made a less-than-stellar debut in Week 1. I just reviewed my keys and feel like I went 1 for 5 and maybe that was generous. It’s going to take a while to get to know this version of the Chicago Bears and Marc Trestman’s coaching style. Let’s see if we can do a better job with the familiar Minnesota Vikings coming to town.
The Lions buzzed past the Vikings in Week 1, showing off new weapon Reggie Bush to the tune of nearly 200 all-purpose yards. This isn’t the same Vikings D from recent years with the vaunted Williams Wall. Maybe J’Marcus Webb will be able to give the Vikings D the trade secrets they need to stop the Bears new-look offense?
On the other side of the ball, it’s was more of the same – Adrian Peterson, Adrian Peterson and Adrian Peterson. All Day torched the Lions for a 78 yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage when most Lions fans were still in line for an adult beverage. The Lions were able to button up Peterson after that first play, but
With that, here are my Keys to a Chicago Bears Victory:
Back to the Basics
No arm tackling gentlemen. Last week, Jermaine Gresham particularly seemed to give the Bears defenders a tough time. Adrian Peterson is no Jermaine Gresham. The Bears need to rally to the ball and need to get low to bring the big fella down.
Head Coach Marc Trestman even urged Bears fans to help bring down Peterson. You long time Sox fans will get this one, “Paging the Ligue’s. Paging the Ligues. Please report to the field for a shirtless, drunken attack.”
Thoughts to Ponder
Jul 27, 2013; Mankato, MN, USA; ESPN reporter Samantha Ponder watches her husband, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (not pictured) at training camp at Blakeslee Fields. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
The best thing about Christian Ponder is his lovely wife Samantha. Ponder has one foot on the banana peel on his way back to the bench, but the Bears can’t take it easy on him. He’ll do his best work just handing the ball off to #28, but I expect the Bears defense to load up the box to stop Peterson and challenge Ponder to beat them.
Ponder will rely on short passes and try to create mismatches to test nickelback Isaiah Frey and the still recovering DJ Williams. Bears safeties need a bounceback game to keep everything in front of them.
Old Face, New Place
Greg Jennings is still roaming around the NFC North, moving from the Packers to the Vikings. Maybe it’s because the Packers almost always bested the Bears during his time in Green Bay, but Jennings’ stats weren’t as impressive as I thought they’d be. In his 11 games against the Bears, Jennings had 47 catches for 678 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Nevertheless, Jennings is probably the best the Vikings have to throw at the Bears, so if Ponder does get a chance, he’s their most dangerous target outside of AP.