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Chicago Bears Close Season At Minnesota Vikings
Chicago’s season has unraveled in December, with the Bears now on a five-game losing streak and out of the playoff discussion.
Interesting, however, that it took this sort of slump to make Windy City fans and NFL observers all across the country to finally begin to appreciate QB Jay Cutler. More on “Midway Jay” and his impact in just a moment.
With the playoff dreams now evaporated, all that is left for Chicago (7-8 straight up and against the spread) and Minnesota ((3-12 SU, 6-8-1 ATS) is to play out the string on Sunday at the **** of America Metrodome in Minneapolis. Kickoff for the clash will be at 1:00 p.m. (ET), with TV coverage provided by FOX. Marv Albert’s son Kenny, along with Moose Johnston and Tony Siragusa, will be on hand to provide commentary.
A check of the Don Best odds screen shows the game rated basically a toss-up, although a few more Las Vegas wagering outlets have the Vikings priced as a 1-point favorite rather than at pick ’em. The total sits on 41 at the vast majority of Las Vegas books.
It wasn’t long ago that the Bears were holding on to hopes that they might be able to chase down the Packers in the NFC North, and certainly would accomplish enough to make it into the postseason as a wild card entrant in the NFC. The latter, in particular, looked very likely into late November when the Bears were sitting at 7-3 following a 31-20 win at Soldier Field against the Chargers.
Cutler’s thumb injury late in that win against the Bolts, however, changed all of those dynamics for Chicago.
In Cutler’s absence, backup Caleb Hanie proved an inadequate replacement and cost the Bears dearly. Some NFC North observers were a bit surprised that GM Jerry Angelo and coach Lovie Smith didn’t opt for a more established backup QB in the offseason, although that might be a bit of 20-20 hindsight. Hanie did almost heroically rally the Bears in last January’s NFC title game vs. the Packers after Cutler went down with a leg injury.
But it took most of two seasons before Cutler was able to get comfortable with offensive coordinator Mike Martz, and vice versa. Martz’ complicated playbook takes a while to absorb, and it took Cutler more than a year to convince Martz to include more three and five-step drops into the offensive repertoire, as opposed to the steady diet of deeper seven-step drops that subject Cutler to pass rush punishment.
Martz finally adjusted and the partnership with Cutler seemed to be flourishing...until Cutler’s thumb injury vs. the Chargers. In essence, Martz had to re-do the playbook for Hanie, who lacked Cutler’s arm strength and pocket presence. A subsequent injury to workhorse RB Matt Forte, who was on his way to a Pro Bowl season, further curtailed the Bears offense.
Hanie’s failures, including just three TD passes and nine picks, forced him out of the lineup two weeks ago in a mistake-filled effort vs. the Seahawks. Journeyman Josh McCown, signed as a free agent during Thanksgiving week after Cutler’s injury, was forced into action late in the 38-14 loss to Seattle and went all of the way last Sunday night vs. the Packers.
Though appearing a better alternative than Hanie, McCown is also nothing more than a temporary stop-gap. And Bears fans are now wondering why they have complained so much about Cutler the past three seasons when watching their team hit the depths without him.
The fact that Minnesota rates as a slight favorite at some sports books despite its 3-12 record is confirmation of Chicago's decline. It also further underlines how Chicago is not the same team without Cutler and Forte; with both available earlier in the season, the Bears walloped the Vikings 39-10 at Solider Field back on October 16, prompting Vikings coach Leslie Frazier to bench vet QB Donovan McNabb and turn to Florida State rookie Christian Ponder instead.
For the most part, Ponder’s stint has been encouraging, although he has taken some punishment and might not be ready for this game vs. the Bears after suffering a mild concussion last week at Washington. Minnesota, however, seems to lose little when inserting backup QB Joe Webb, the former UAB star in his second year in the league and gaining a reputation as a real playmaker. Webb almost rallied the Vikes to a win at Detroit three weeks ago and tossed the eventual winning TD pass in relief of Ponder last week vs. Washington.
It is not lost on Bears fans that a backup QB of Webb’s caliber could have saved their playoff hopes. Expect that to be a primary area of emphasis in the offseason at Halas Hall.
That game vs. the Redskins was costly in another area for Minnesota, however, as star RB Adrian Peterson was KO’d with a severe knee injury that could jeopardize his availability for the start of the 2012 season. Although former Stanford star Toby Gerhart has run with confidence and power when subbing lately for A.P., gaining 109 yards last week against the 'Skins in the Vikings’ 33-26 win that snapped a 6-game losing streak.
With Ponder and Webb providing a spark, the Minnesota offense has been rather lively in recent weeks, contributing to six Vikings ‘overs’ in their last seven games as well.
Chicago’s season has unraveled in December, with the Bears now on a five-game losing streak and out of the playoff discussion.
Interesting, however, that it took this sort of slump to make Windy City fans and NFL observers all across the country to finally begin to appreciate QB Jay Cutler. More on “Midway Jay” and his impact in just a moment.
With the playoff dreams now evaporated, all that is left for Chicago (7-8 straight up and against the spread) and Minnesota ((3-12 SU, 6-8-1 ATS) is to play out the string on Sunday at the **** of America Metrodome in Minneapolis. Kickoff for the clash will be at 1:00 p.m. (ET), with TV coverage provided by FOX. Marv Albert’s son Kenny, along with Moose Johnston and Tony Siragusa, will be on hand to provide commentary.
A check of the Don Best odds screen shows the game rated basically a toss-up, although a few more Las Vegas wagering outlets have the Vikings priced as a 1-point favorite rather than at pick ’em. The total sits on 41 at the vast majority of Las Vegas books.
It wasn’t long ago that the Bears were holding on to hopes that they might be able to chase down the Packers in the NFC North, and certainly would accomplish enough to make it into the postseason as a wild card entrant in the NFC. The latter, in particular, looked very likely into late November when the Bears were sitting at 7-3 following a 31-20 win at Soldier Field against the Chargers.
Cutler’s thumb injury late in that win against the Bolts, however, changed all of those dynamics for Chicago.
In Cutler’s absence, backup Caleb Hanie proved an inadequate replacement and cost the Bears dearly. Some NFC North observers were a bit surprised that GM Jerry Angelo and coach Lovie Smith didn’t opt for a more established backup QB in the offseason, although that might be a bit of 20-20 hindsight. Hanie did almost heroically rally the Bears in last January’s NFC title game vs. the Packers after Cutler went down with a leg injury.
But it took most of two seasons before Cutler was able to get comfortable with offensive coordinator Mike Martz, and vice versa. Martz’ complicated playbook takes a while to absorb, and it took Cutler more than a year to convince Martz to include more three and five-step drops into the offensive repertoire, as opposed to the steady diet of deeper seven-step drops that subject Cutler to pass rush punishment.
Martz finally adjusted and the partnership with Cutler seemed to be flourishing...until Cutler’s thumb injury vs. the Chargers. In essence, Martz had to re-do the playbook for Hanie, who lacked Cutler’s arm strength and pocket presence. A subsequent injury to workhorse RB Matt Forte, who was on his way to a Pro Bowl season, further curtailed the Bears offense.
Hanie’s failures, including just three TD passes and nine picks, forced him out of the lineup two weeks ago in a mistake-filled effort vs. the Seahawks. Journeyman Josh McCown, signed as a free agent during Thanksgiving week after Cutler’s injury, was forced into action late in the 38-14 loss to Seattle and went all of the way last Sunday night vs. the Packers.
Though appearing a better alternative than Hanie, McCown is also nothing more than a temporary stop-gap. And Bears fans are now wondering why they have complained so much about Cutler the past three seasons when watching their team hit the depths without him.
The fact that Minnesota rates as a slight favorite at some sports books despite its 3-12 record is confirmation of Chicago's decline. It also further underlines how Chicago is not the same team without Cutler and Forte; with both available earlier in the season, the Bears walloped the Vikings 39-10 at Solider Field back on October 16, prompting Vikings coach Leslie Frazier to bench vet QB Donovan McNabb and turn to Florida State rookie Christian Ponder instead.
For the most part, Ponder’s stint has been encouraging, although he has taken some punishment and might not be ready for this game vs. the Bears after suffering a mild concussion last week at Washington. Minnesota, however, seems to lose little when inserting backup QB Joe Webb, the former UAB star in his second year in the league and gaining a reputation as a real playmaker. Webb almost rallied the Vikes to a win at Detroit three weeks ago and tossed the eventual winning TD pass in relief of Ponder last week vs. Washington.
It is not lost on Bears fans that a backup QB of Webb’s caliber could have saved their playoff hopes. Expect that to be a primary area of emphasis in the offseason at Halas Hall.
That game vs. the Redskins was costly in another area for Minnesota, however, as star RB Adrian Peterson was KO’d with a severe knee injury that could jeopardize his availability for the start of the 2012 season. Although former Stanford star Toby Gerhart has run with confidence and power when subbing lately for A.P., gaining 109 yards last week against the 'Skins in the Vikings’ 33-26 win that snapped a 6-game losing streak.
With Ponder and Webb providing a spark, the Minnesota offense has been rather lively in recent weeks, contributing to six Vikings ‘overs’ in their last seven games as well.
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