YTD Sides 1-1
Bad loss last week with the Titans. I said lack of turnovers and containing Edge would be keys to their victory. Unfortunately, neither worked out. So, on to Week Three...
Chicago +10.5
First off, I have to acknowledge that the Bears defense is definitely banged up, and the Vikings will have mismatches in the secondary. There's no way to put a positive spin on the matchups downfield from a Bears perspective.
What hasn't been mentioned as predominantly is the Vikes offensive injuries. RT Rosenthal is finished for the year, and is a big loss to an O'line that really struggled against Philly, giving up four sacks. All we hear these days is how Culpepper burns the blitz, but this week he must do without H-Back Jermaine Wiggins, a primary dump off guy who had eight catches last week, and another primary dump off guy, Jimmy Kleinsasser, for the second week in a row. Onterrio Smith excelled catching passes out of the backfield last week, but Sunday he will be shadowed by Urlacher. He's listed as questionable, but he's started every game in his career, and I'd be shocked if he didn't play and play well. It will only be a matter of time before Ogunleye and Co. get on track, and this may very well be the week. Culpepper's been known to put the ball on the turf, and if the Bears can apply that pressure, that will obviously help their chances greatly.
The Vikes defense made Testaverde and McNabb both look a lot better than they are, and I think Grossman can have a solid game. Thomas Jones has played very well thus far, and the Bears offensive line's strengths lie in thier run blocking. Minnesota does get Mixon back this week, but Hovan has been average at best so far, and the linebackers look lost. I would expect a big day from Jones and an efficient, though not stellar, day from Grossman against the overworked secondary.
On special teams the Vikings made household name JR Reid look like Deion last week. That wasn't the same guy that was the Tar Heels power forward a few years back was it? Al and Madden never did clarify that. What I do know is that McQuarters is a threat every time he touches the ball, and can swing the battle of field position in the Bears favor in a big way. Advantage, Chicago.
I'll finish by saying, once again, the Vikes have the mismatches downfield, and I'm sure Moss and Culpepper both will get their big numbers. But if I were laying the points I'd be very concerned about A.) Culpepper's communication with his secondary recievers. After all, you can't throw deep to Randy every play. And B.) How the Vikes handle Thomas Jones running behind a tough line, chewing up the clock. I'm not brave enough to predict the upset, but I do feel Chicago can put twenty points on the board, and stay within this pretty large number.
Best of Luck,
Space.
Bad loss last week with the Titans. I said lack of turnovers and containing Edge would be keys to their victory. Unfortunately, neither worked out. So, on to Week Three...
Chicago +10.5
First off, I have to acknowledge that the Bears defense is definitely banged up, and the Vikings will have mismatches in the secondary. There's no way to put a positive spin on the matchups downfield from a Bears perspective.
What hasn't been mentioned as predominantly is the Vikes offensive injuries. RT Rosenthal is finished for the year, and is a big loss to an O'line that really struggled against Philly, giving up four sacks. All we hear these days is how Culpepper burns the blitz, but this week he must do without H-Back Jermaine Wiggins, a primary dump off guy who had eight catches last week, and another primary dump off guy, Jimmy Kleinsasser, for the second week in a row. Onterrio Smith excelled catching passes out of the backfield last week, but Sunday he will be shadowed by Urlacher. He's listed as questionable, but he's started every game in his career, and I'd be shocked if he didn't play and play well. It will only be a matter of time before Ogunleye and Co. get on track, and this may very well be the week. Culpepper's been known to put the ball on the turf, and if the Bears can apply that pressure, that will obviously help their chances greatly.
The Vikes defense made Testaverde and McNabb both look a lot better than they are, and I think Grossman can have a solid game. Thomas Jones has played very well thus far, and the Bears offensive line's strengths lie in thier run blocking. Minnesota does get Mixon back this week, but Hovan has been average at best so far, and the linebackers look lost. I would expect a big day from Jones and an efficient, though not stellar, day from Grossman against the overworked secondary.
On special teams the Vikings made household name JR Reid look like Deion last week. That wasn't the same guy that was the Tar Heels power forward a few years back was it? Al and Madden never did clarify that. What I do know is that McQuarters is a threat every time he touches the ball, and can swing the battle of field position in the Bears favor in a big way. Advantage, Chicago.
I'll finish by saying, once again, the Vikes have the mismatches downfield, and I'm sure Moss and Culpepper both will get their big numbers. But if I were laying the points I'd be very concerned about A.) Culpepper's communication with his secondary recievers. After all, you can't throw deep to Randy every play. And B.) How the Vikes handle Thomas Jones running behind a tough line, chewing up the clock. I'm not brave enough to predict the upset, but I do feel Chicago can put twenty points on the board, and stay within this pretty large number.
Best of Luck,
Space.
