5. Adrian Peterson (Vikings)

Peterson is a freak of nature. He has some amazing runs and blows through defenders. But, he fumbles way too much. In fact, I believe if he didn’t fumble as much he would be one of the all-time greats. I cannot look past a running back that regularly puts the ball on the turf.

4. Eli Manning (Giants)

He’s not Peyton. Considering the hype surrounding this guy, he just isn’t as good as we are led to believe. More excuses are made for Manning’s failures than any other quarterback in football. I would like to see Manning carry the Giants, which doesn’t happen very often.

3. Jay Cutler (Chicago Bears)

I do not question Jay Cutler’s toughness. I do not question Jay Cutler’s committment. I question his talent. While I think he’s talented, I don’t know if he’s as talented as we were once led to believe. Cutler throws way too many interceptions and misses open receivers. While he will make some great throws, he also makes terrible ones too. Something is missing with this guy, and I cannot put my finger on it…

2. Clay Matthews, III (Green Bay Packers)

This shouldn’t be a secret to many of you that read my work regularly, but you should be shocked that he isn’t number one. Matthews thrives in Dom Capers 3/4 defense, but put him in another city, and I am not sure if you’d see the results. Plus, this guy sucks against the run and isn’t strong in pass coverage. He’s a good football player that is helped by a system. Case closed…

1. Michael Vick (Philadelphia Eagles)

He’s exciting to watch. He’s got freakish skills. But he’s overrated as hell. Hit him once and he stops caring. I’m not saying he doesn’t make spectacular plays…he does. But he also is a wuss that hates contact and kills dogs. For Madden and fantasy purposes, he’s a star. But besides that…you can have Vick.

Follow me on Twitter at BearsHQ.

This game is being played at TCF Bank Stadium on the campus of the University of Minnesota. Despite the NFL being concerned with player safety, the league is allowing this game to take place on a dangerous field. Reports are that the field is frozen and as hard as concrete in certain spots. This stadium wasn’t designed for football this late in the season and the Vikings fans are being treated no better than high school students.

The most important thing, however, is the game. It looks as if this should be a walk-in-the-park for the Chicago Bears. Their facing a third-string quarterback in Joe Webb and a gimpy Adrian Peterson on offense. Defensively, the Vikings haven’t exactly been the Purple People Eaters.

So why am I so worried? Because this game sets up to a disaster. The Chicago Bears looked terrible last week. I understand that this can happen, but all of the offensive progress went out the window. As the Packers showed last night, the Patriots have a not-so-good defense. Tom Brady is obviously a great quarterback, but the Chicago Bears defense didn’t seem that interested.

We all expect Minnesota to suck tonight, but there’s no pressure on them. All the pressure is on the Chicago Bears. Minnesota can play loose and without concern. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears can look like dogs on national television. Just like last year at Soldier Field on Monday night, the Chicago Bears cost the Vikings home-field advantage and most likely a trip to the Super Bowl by defeating them in a game that was meaningless to Chicago.

Sorry, but I’m picking against the Chicago Bears tonight folks. The final score will be…

Vikings 17 Bears 10

Follow me on Twitter at BearsHq and BlueDemonsLair. For the latest DePaul Blue Demons news and more, check out www.bluedemonslair.com. Please show me the love for the Big East’s Biggest Fan at www.mybigeastvolvo.com.

The Chicago Bears practiced at Northwestern to get a feel for a the type of facility they’ll see in Monday night.

The TCF Bank Stadium is comical as more details are coming to the surface. The seating will be first-come first-serve. That means that despite those tickets that are actually being accepted will not have assigned seats. While individuals with lower level tickets can enter first, refunds will be given on the spot for those that aren’t able to get in. Parking is limited due to the University of Minnesota being in session. Additionally, alcohol isn’t permitted. The weather calls for some frigid conditions with snow, so it’s going to be an angry crowd. So why is the game being played here? Might I remind the idiots in charge that this is the freaking NFL.

Follow me on Twitter at BearsHq and BlueDemonsLair. For the latest DePaul Blue Demons news and more, check out www.bluedemonslair.com. Please show me the love for the Big East’s Biggest Fan at www.mybigeastvolvo.com.

Before everyone starts making excuses for the Vikings, they were favored in this game.

Brett Favre and Adrian Peterson were able to do little against the Chicago Bears defense. The defense dominated the game and got after the Vikings. It was an impressive effort. Adrian Peterson was held to around 50 yards rushing, well under his season average.

On offense, Jay Cutler was able to roll out and make the throws he needed to make. He made one bad throw, but he followed it up with an excellent third and short play-action touchdown pass to Kellen Davis. Plus, the Bears committed to the run. This blogger called it a key to this game, and it proved to be the case.

Finally, can the Chicago Bears get props for having the best special teams unit in football? With Devin Hester returning to his old form with the other guys covering and getting after people on blocks, it will be the difference for the Chicago Bears down the stretch. Let’s not forget the kickers either.

I’ll be in Miami for the game on Thursday. Follow me on Twitter for the trip as well as breaking news at Bearshq. Also, for the latest DePaul tidbits follow me at BlueDemonsLair and www.bluedemonslair.com. Please show the love for me at www.mybigeastvolvo.com.

My keys to the game were establishing the run and special teams. The running game was there, but the special teams kicked some serious Viking horn. Does anyone doubt Devin Hester anymore? Let’s also mention Rasheed Davis and his nice return and big catch.

Jay Cutler made one bad throw today. He made up for it with other good ones. He also found ways to get out of the pocket. The offensive line gave him time and held idiot boy Jared Allen to one sack that he celebrated while his team was down. Freaking moron.

Defensively, a total domination. Henry Melton was my defensive MVP with his solid play and strong motor. Let’s also give credit to the linebackers. Adrian Peterson got hit hard all day.

Like the Bears, I’ll be in Miami for the game Thursday. I can’t wait!

Follow my adventures in Miami on Twitter at bearshq.

There are many interesting story lines in this game. Will Brad Childress get enough control of the inmates to run the team. Will Brett Favre finally break down? Can the Chicago Bears protect Jay Cutler? Will the Chicago Bears defense be able to slow down Adrian Peterson?

[picappgallerysingle id="10143880"] 

Despite having a better record, the Chicago Bears enter this game as a one-point underdog. Since the line has held all week, gamblers have confidence that the point spread is correct on this game.

I look at this game in the following way…it will come down to the team with the least number of mistakes. This not only applies to the turnover department, but in the coaching and play-calling areas as well. It’s still relitively mild for this time of year, so the weather factor will not be the main culperate. So will Brett Favre or Jay Cutler throw one too many bad passes? Will Adrian Peterson become fumble happy? Will Matt Forte stop sucking?

[picappgallerysingle id="10138840"] 

Jared Allen and Julius Peppers are also to major story lines in this game. Which one will have the biggest impact? Who will create the most disruption? While the easy answer is Allen, but Peppers has been known to have good games against the Vikings.

Here is what I think…The Chicago Bears will find a way to win this game 20-13. The Chicago Bears match up well with the Vikings with the exception of one area…special teams. This will be the difference with field position.

Follow me on Twitter at BearsHQ for in-game comments and BlueDemonsLair. Also, for the latest DePaul Blue Demons news and views, check out www.bluedemonslair.com. Please vote for me as the Big East’s Biggest Fan at www.mybigeastvolvo.com.

Jonathan: “What the heck is going on with the inmates hating Brad Childress? What caused this problem?”

[picappgallerysingle id="10143724"]

Eric: Brad Childress has created his own mess this season. Childress preached to his players to never become a distraction and that is exactly what Childress has become this season, a distraction. The latest in a long litany of Childress missteps was the release of Randy Moss. Childress has lost the locker room and short of winning the Super Bowl this season, will be looking for work in 2011.

Jonathan: “Do you think all the efforts by the Vikings to bring back “The Million Dollar Baby” Brett Favre created a distraction?”

Eric: The question relates to the first question about Brad Childress. Childress pushed all the chips in on the table with a return of Brett Favre. Favre’s return facilitated the shipping off of Sage Rosenfels to the New York Giants…a quarterback that was under contract for two seasons and performed the best during the Vikings preseason. Farve’s return caused another disruption on the team, and this season Favre resembles the 2008 New York Jets version and not the 2009 version with the Vikings last season. Of course, the Jenn Sterger distraction has not helped this season either.

Jonathan: “What player on the Chicago Bears concerns you?”

[picappgallerysingle id="10143747"]

Eric: Jay Cutler. I’m concerned that he might not be as generous as he was with the Washington Redskins secondary.

Jonathan: “How do the Vikings win this game? How about the Bears?”

Eric: I think the Vikings win this game with Adrian Peterson and 28 carries. I believe the Bears can win with three Brett Favre turnovers and throw in a pick-6 return.

Jonathan: “Prediction???”

Eric: My prediction…Vikings 20 Bears 17.

Thank you Eric!!!  Much appreciated. Follow me on Twitter at BearsHQ and BlueDemonsLair. Also, for the latest DePaul Blue Demons news and views, check out www.bluedemonslair.com. Please vote for me as the Big East’s Biggest Fan at www.mybigeastvolvo.com.

There are many storylines entering this game. What Jay Cutler will show up? Is this finally the game Brett Favre’s body gives in? Can the Chicago Bears offensive line hold up against a talented Vikings unit? Will Adrian Peterson have another game to remember?

I’ve got my concerns including stopping the Vikings pass rush and containing Brett Favre. Let’s face it, the pass rush needs to get the few sacks this week. Favre doesn’t get rattled very easily.

Follow me on twitter at bearshq and BlueDemonsLair. For updated information on the DePaul Blue Demons, check out www.bluedemonslair.com and vote for me as the Big East’s Biggest Fan at www.mybigeastvolvo.com.

Well, what do you expect Brad? You leave the door open for Bret Favre who hasn’t given an answer on his status for this upcoming season. So here’s Peterson…probably the best player on the team who must sit and wonder why the Vikings give favorable treatment to a guy that may not even play. This type of attitude sends a bad message throughout the organization. Good work Brad, you get what you deserve. I mean seriously, what are the Vikings going to do? Suspend Peterson.

OK, so here is my point about Favre. For whatever reason this guy cannot make a decision. He retires, unretires, retires, unretires and now has not indicated what he wants to do. Look, the dude had a great season last year and certainly nothing was indicated that would say that could not happen again this year. But a decision needs to be made fairly soon.

Doesn’t bother me as a Bear fan…the more problems up north the better it will be for the Chicago Bears.