Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune writes that Sunday’s 36-10 loss to the Vikings was proof positive that the Bears can’t compete with good NFL teams.
The Bears lost six players, including LB Lance Briggs and CB Charles Tillman, to injuries over the course of the game.
A shuffle on the offensive line moved Frank Omiyale into the starting lineup at left guard, but the running game showed no improvement.
There wasn’t much pass rush from the front seven of the Bears, and their only sack came on a safety blitz by Al Afalava.
Said Bears coach Lovie Smith, “On days like today, there’s not a whole lot to say. We didn’t get a lot
done. You have to give them a lot of credit. They’re a good football
team. They definitely dominated us today.”
After running 83 offensive plays, Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell joked that he ran out of pages in the playbook.
The Vikings used LB Ben Leber as a down lineman to rush the passer in their nickel package on Sunday.
Vikings RB Adrian Peterson called himself “my own worst enemy” after fumbling twice against the Bears.
The first Bears drive of the second half started on the Vikings eight-yard-line, but two sacks and a stuffed run later they had to settle for a field goal.
I like how this is falling into place for the Vikings:
1. After a slow first few weeks, which were blamed for Favre still getting in sync with the receivers, the passing game seems to get better every week. Every week I don’t think it can look much better, but it still does.
2. The defense is finally playing like the top 3 defense it was expected to be (held the Bears to 2 yards in the second half, and Antoine Winfield is finally expected back next week).
3. Despite the 10-1 start, the Vikings are still a bit under the radar nationally. That’s an ideal situation, the Colts and Saints getting the pressure of staying undefeated, while the Vikings can relax and just work on improving. The best part? The one loss is a game they feel good about. They lost at Pittsburgh in a game that they outplayed the Steelers (one TD called back on a bad call, two Steelers TDs on red zone turnovers run back for TDs).
The only downer is Adrian Peterson. Funny, he’s still playing at an All-Pro level, should win the NFC rushing title, and has greatly improved as a receiver and in pass protection. Yet he doesn’t look like he’s playing as well as he can. Too many fumbles and runs for no gain. Don’t know if he’s actually injured more than is being reported or is just trying too hard to make big plays and not taking the plays that are there. I’m thinking they should take about 8-10 carries a game away from Peterson and give them to Chester Taylor, in hopes of keeing Peterson fresh for the playoffs.
@Bob
I agree with almost everything you said, but you really think the Vikings are flying under the radar? I have to disagree…Favre has brought the spotlight directly on the Vikings. Second, I don’t think the Vikings outplayed Pittsburgh. Yes, they let that one slip away, but I think Pittsburgh had the upper hand.
I agree…take a handful of carries away from AD and give them to Chester…he’s playing well. Reports are saying AD has an injured ankle and was battling the flu this week; tough to say how sever the injury or the illness are…
I think the Vikings are going to be tough to beat from here on out…but AD needs to secure the ball. I think it’s a bit of a blessing that he’s fumbling and it’s not costing them in the W/L column (yet). The more he fumbles now, the more he realizes he needs to secure the ball (sometimes he just needs to go down)…
As hard as he tries Adrian Peterson cannot get the league lead in fumbles.
He is just #2.
Vikings outplayed the Steelers. The Steelers won the game on two fluky red zone return TD’s, one of which was made possible by a terrible call. The only offense they generated was on a defensive breakdown in the last two minutes of the first half.
Take away the bad call and fluke Chess tipped pass and the Vikes win by 14.
You could tell they ran out of plays in the playbook. Harvin Burned the Bears twice on the same end around. The same pitch play to Peterson was called, what 5 times? lol. All in all, only Adrian and kickoff coverage made me upset.
I wonder how the Vikes would match up against the Saints? After watching them pick apart the Pats… I think it would make for some great football. Maybe the Vikings pass rush would change things up a bit.