The Minnesota Vikings visit the Chicago Bears today. The Vikings haven't won at Soldier Field since 2007. That was a beautiful day. The game was exciting. A long Ryan Longwell field goal as time expired. It was also the day that the league was introduced to a rookie running back named Adrian Peterson. He would run for an NFL record 296 yards later in the season but this game was more impressive. It was one of those performances in which one player was so much better than every other player on the field. He only gained 224 yards. Only! But, it was how he gained those yards. When I think of the best runs in the career of Adrian Peterson many of them come from this game. Just beautiful. It sure would be nice to have him running again today.
It's supposed to be a cold and windy day in Chicago.
Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph returns after missing six games recovering from sports hernia surgery. Chase Ford and Rhett Ellison have done a fine job the past few weeks but Rudolph is a key weapon in the Vikings passing game. He'll provide a nice target for rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewarter.
The last time that Bridgewater faced Chicago Bears linebacker Jon Bostic was the 2013 Sugar Bowl. Bridgewater's Louisville Cardinals vs Bostic's Florida Gators. Bostic blasted Bridgewater in the chin on a blitz. It only fired up the quarterback. He found his helmet, put it back on his head, found a bandage for his chin, and proceeded to take apart the Gators.
There are battles all over the field in a division rivalry game. One of the best, certainly one of the most interesting, in this game will take place on the left side of the Vikings offensive line. Tackle Matt Kalil keeping Bears defensive end Jared Allen in control all day long. Kalil and Allen have faced each other often over the past two years as adversarial teammates in practices and scrimmages. Today, they are facing each other with different helmets. Both have a lot to prove.
There are some terrific games today. It all starts with Vikings-Bears. The best game is always the Vikings game! Here are the others:
Texans at Browns
This game is being billed by some as the "Brady Backup Bowl." Brian Hoyer facing Ryan Mallett in his first NFL start. This could be a very interesting game. I'm not sure that the world is truly prepared for a 7-3 Browns team.
Falcons at Panthers
The fall of the NFC South is disappointing. It's hard to tell if any team wants to win this division.
Bengals at Saints
Buccaneers at Redskins
Broncos at Rams
49ers at Giants
Seahawks at Chiefs
A battle of the teams with the loudest stadiums. Each goes back and forth with the record. I hope that the Chiefs take it back/keep it. Actually, I'm not sure which stadium has the record now.
The afternoon games are mostly excellent:
Raiders at Chargers
Lions at Cardinals
These are probably the surprise teams of the 2014 season. The Cardinals have to find out if Drew Stanton can take them where they thought that Carson Palmer could.
Eagles at Packers
This is expected to be an excellent game. I think that the Packers take the Eagles apart. Aaron Rodgers is playing quarterback as well as anyone ever has. The ball has rarely touched the ground the past few weeks.
Patriots at Colts
Outside of the Vikings-Bears game, this is probably the game of the day. This should be a fun game.
A great day of football!
You betcha!
Go Vikings!
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