Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings Week 14 2012

To kick off week 14 of the 2012-2013 NFL season, we have an NFC North rivalry between two teams who looked like they were bound to head to the playoffs after the early weeks of the season, but only one of the two has kept up that momentum.  This team is the Chicago Bears, who are sitting at 8-4 currently, and are in a tie with the Green Bay Packers at the top of the division.  The Minnesota Vikings on the other hand are at an even 6-6, but have gone 1-4 in their last five games and have lost two straight.  Both teams need this win badly, as the Bears want to keep pace with the Packers for the top of the division, and the Vikings need this to stay in contention for a Wild Card spot in the NFC.

Chicago Bears Key Players

The Bears are going to rely on their talented defense as usual, but also on the one-two passing duo of Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall.  Matt Forte and Michael Bush have been a nice two headed monster in the running game, as one is the speed player in the open field, and Bush has been the finisher on the goal line.  Expect the Bears to continue their strong defense, even without the injured Brian Urlacher, who is out for between 2-4 weeks.  I also think that Cutler and Marshall should be in for another big day as well against this Vikings defense.

Minnesota Vikings Key Players

For the Vikings, they really, really need Christian Ponder to get back to the strong play that he had at the beginning of the season.  He has struggled pretty badly over the past few weeks, which has left a lot of pressure on the stud running back Adrian Peterson, but if the Bears get to lock in on only trying to stop him then it could turn into an issue for the Vikings throughout the game.  I think that they are going to try to do some play action off of Peterson once he gets rolling, but the question is whether or not Ponder can hit the receivers or get the throws off.  I’m expecting Kyle Rudolph to benefit quite a bit from the throws though, as he and Ponder have had a good connection.

Odds and Sports Betting Line

• Chicago Bears: -3
• Minnesota Vikings: +3

Free Prediction and Pick

This line is right about where I expected it to be, as the Bears are simply the better team overall.  Many people are asking about the injury to Urlacher though and how it will affect the team, but the Bears’ defense is one of the strongest out there and I expect them to respond in a big way to their leader being out.  Most importantly though, the Vikings defense is going to try to get after Jay Cutler, so expect him to dump it off to Matt Forte quite often.  I’m going to roll with the Bears to get the win here, and I think that they’ll get it done by around a touchdown on the road.

Pick: Chicago Bears -3

Game Final Score

• Chicago Bears: 14
• Minnesota Vikings: 21