NFL: Minnesota at Chicago (8:35 PM ET, ESPN)

This week’s Monday night game probably looked much more attractive to ESPN executives at the outset of the season, but as Minnesota has started to struggle, there still is some drama left to play out. Speaking of drama, what in the world is going on with

2009-12-28

This week’s Monday night game probably looked much more attractive to ESPN executives at the outset of the season, but as Minnesota has started to struggle, there still is some drama left to play out. Speaking of drama, what in the world is going on with Brad Childress and Brett Favre? Trouble in paradise? Is the honeymoon over? How does it affect Monday’s contest vs. Chicago? Bettors at Sportsbook.com don’t seem to be worried, as 90% of them are backing the Vikings as a 7-point favorite.

The Vikings have clinched the NFC North title, much in thanks to their 5-0 SU & 4-0-1 ATS record in divisional games. Chicago has sunk to 5-9 by losing six of its L7 games, including a 36-10 rout at the hands of the Vikings in November. The Bears have fared well at home in this head-to-head series however, going 7-4 SU & 8-3 ATS dating back to ’98. They are also on a nice 12-3 ATS run when revenging a loss of 14 points or more to an opponent. However, HC Lovie Smith’s team has been at its worst against good teams, 0-7 ATS vs. clubs with a winning record in ’09.

Known as the Purple People Eaters, the Vikings captured six straight NFC Central Division titles from 1973-78, appeared in four conference championship games and three Super Bowls. Along with Pittsburgh and the Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota enjoyed four consecutive double-digit win seasons—playing a 14-game schedule—starting in 1973 and was entrenched as one of the league’s elite franchises.

Three decades later, the Vikings have yet to return to the Super Bowl but they took a considerable step last Sunday when Green Bay’s loss in Pittsburgh gave them back-to-back division crowns for the first time since the late ‘70s. Only two current Vikings—Brett Favre and Pat Williams—were alive when it happened last and they’ll help try secure a first-round playoff bye for the first time since 1998.

Favre became the third new starting quarterback among NFC North squads when he signed a two-year deal with Minnesota in August, joining Jay Cutler in Chicago and rookie Matt Stafford in Detroit. To say the 40-year-old has much been the best of the three would be a major understatement. Favre ranks among the top three in quarterback rating and touchdown-to-interception margin (plus-20). He’s also in the top 10 in passing yards (3,565) and attempts (460).

Despite 24 more attempts than Favre, Cutler’s numbers don’t compare, albeit neither does his supporting cast. Cutler has 3,117 yards, 19 touchdowns and 25 interceptions after last week’s 31-7 loss in Baltimore that has the temperature rising on head coach Lovie Smith’s hot seat.

Favre and the Vikings, 11-3 after falling in Carolina last Sunday night, took Round 1 with the Bears in Week 12, rolling to a 36-10 victory at the Metrodome. Favre was masterful in completing 32 of 48 passes for 392 yards and three touchdowns. All three of his scoring tosses—one each to rookie Percy Harvin, Chester Taylor and Visanthe Shiancoe—came in the second quarter as the hosts built a 24-7 halftime lead. Cutler threw for 147 yards and a touchdown and was picked off twice and sacked four times.
Can Chicago be worse in the rematch on Monday night after managing only eight first downs in the first meeting while giving up 31? After digging a 17-point deficit at the half, the Bears abandoned the run to play catch-up but nothing worked.

PREDICTION: Though this game will no doubt be closer than the first, the fun continues for Favre and the nightmare doesn’t stop for Cutler. It all comes down to the Bears’ ability to run the ball. If Matt Forte can explode for about 150 yards, they’ve got a shot. MINNESOTA 24, CHICAGO 12

Latest NFL News

Click here to read latest NFL news