• WHO: Chicago Bears (7-8) at Minnesota Vikings (3-12).

• WHEN: Sunday, noon, Fox.

• OPENING LINE: Bears by 1.

• RECORD VS. SPREAD: Chicago 7-8; Minnesota 6-8-1.

• SERIES RECORD: Vikings lead 52-47-2. Last meeting, Bears beat
Vikings 39-10, Oct. 16.

• NFL RANKINGS: Bears’ offense, overall (20), rushing (8), passing
(26); Bears’ defense, overall (18), rushing (6), passing (28);
Vikings’ offense, overall (18), rushing (4), passing (28); Vikings’
defense, overall (25), rushing (12), passing (29).

• FACTS & FIGURES: Bears have won four straight in series,
their longest since six in a row from 1983-86 and longest overall
in this rivalry since Vikings won four straight over 1997 and 1998
seasons. … Bears have only won at Metrodome once since 2002,
19-16 in 2006. These teams didn’t play at site, now known as Mall
of America Field, last season because of roof collapse that forced
game outside to TCF Bank Stadium on University of Minnesota campus.
… Home team has won 16 of last 19 meetings. … Bears averaging
35.5 points in Past four games against Vikings. … In 10 games
against Vikings, WR/KR/PR Devin Hester has nine of his 30 career
TDs, five receiving and four returning. He scored twice in last
meeting. … RB Kahlil Bell, filling in for injured Matt Forte
(sprained right knee), had career-high 121 yards rushing last week.
Vikings have given up 302 yards rushing in Past two games. …
Bears have lost five straight since starting 7-3. … Vikings QB
Christian Ponder expected to play after being knocked out of last
game with concussion; RB Adrian Peterson is having surgery to
repair tears in ACL and MCL in left knee. … Vikings trying to
avoid matching worst finish in their 51-year history, 3-13 in 1984.
… Jared Allen has 18 1/2 sacks, four off NFL single-season record
and 2 1/2 short of team single-season record. … TE Jim
Kleinsasser will play in his last game, ending 13-year career. He
has played in more games than any TE in Vikings history.

- By The AP.

Read More: Josh McCown (QB – CHI), Matt Forte (RB – CHI), Kahlil Bell (RB – CHI), Joe Webb (QB – MIN), Toby Gerhart (RB – MIN), Christian Ponder (QB – MIN), Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings

The Week 17 matchup between the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings doesn’t exactly have star power or any playoff implication, but it is still an NFC North divisional matchup that should be buoyed by rivalry and professional pride. The Bears were eliminated from playoff contention in Week 16, and now experts are thinking they have lost all motivation heading into the season finale. Vinnie Iyer of AOL Sporting News has released picks for Week 17 in the NFL, and he thinks the Vikings will upend the Bears:

Each team is on its third quarterback, as this game has turned to Josh McCown vs. (most likely) Joe Webb. Matt Forte and Adrian Peterson are also out of this contest, leaving former Pac-12ers Kahlil Bell and Toby Gerhart to carry the load. McCown will find some success throwing downfield, but whether it’s Webb or rookie Christian Ponder, the Vikings’ quarterback will use his mobility to make more key plays in a low-scoring affair. Vikings 16, Bears 13.

Iyer is 160-80 for the season-to-date and went 12-4 straight up in Week 16.

For more on the Chicago Bears, head over to Windy City Gridiron. Vikings news is always available at Daily Norseman. Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more Chicago sports updates and breaking news.

Despite a few surprising offensive performances, the Chicago Bears game against the Green Bay Packers went just about how I expected it too. In what has been a roller coaster season of successes, injuries, and disappointment, the Bears were officially eliminated from playoff contention by their division rivals. It’s too bad; the Bears looked entirely legitimate for a while.

As I was watching NBC’s broadcast of the game, it was said “just five weeks ago, Josh McCown was coaching high school football.” That statement summed up just how unfortunate the Bears predicament was. The Bears are playing arguably the best team in the entire league and need to win in order to have a chance at a playoff appearance. The best they can do is a quarterback that hasn’t played substantially since 2007 and was recently coaching high school. Merry Christmas.

Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay offense were able to entirely handle the Bears defense. While it wasn’t surprising, the Bears really did need a better performance from the defense if they were going to have a chance. McCown’s performance wasn’t anything incredible, but when you add in the facts that are stated above, his line of 19 for 28 for 242 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions is pretty impressive. The only problem is the NFL doesn’t care about your circumstances. Despite those numbers being admirable for a man who hasn’t played substantially for four years or so, it wasn’t enough for the Bears to hold pace with Rodgers and co. Those numbers don’t get it done when the opposing quarterback’s stat line is 21 for 29, 283 yards, five touchdowns, and no interceptions.

The offense was not without its mistakes, but when you put up 441 yards of offense and are 6 for 12 on third down, you can’t put too much blame on the offense in this one.

The Bears will close their season with a now meaningless game against the Minnesota Vikings.

With the loss, the Bears were booted from the NFC playoff race. The Bears’ struggles the last five weeks aren’t overly shocking given their circumstances, but with a team that was coming into their own quite nicely prior to the injuries, we fans are forced to wonder what might have been.

Brian is a lifelong Chicago Bears fan, having lived in Illinois his entire life and having followed the NFL throughout.

Sources

Packers End Bears Playoff Hopes

When the Chicago Bears faced the Green Packers on December 25 ^th, the only question on my mind was whether or not the Bears would be able to keep the game close. With four of their offensive players out with injuries, one could hardly blame me for my pessimistic perspective. While the Bears failed to eliminate the Packers from playoff contention a year ago, the Packers were not in a charitable mood as they defeated Chicago 35-21 to clinch their 14 ^th victory on the season and the top seed in the NFC. Here is my spin on how the Bears played on both sides of the ball.

Offense:

It’s rather sad to say this, but the 21 point output against Green Bay was the most the Bears have scored since their last win five weeks ago. Considering that he had not started in an NFL game in four years, Josh McCown played decently, going 19-for-28 for 242 yards with 1 touchdown and two interceptions. He was definitely an upgrade from Caleb Hanie, but unfortunately for the Bears, it took them losing four games before they made the switch.

The offensive line also did a good job of protecting McCown and the Bears actually had more total yards (441) than the Packers (363), including 199 yards on the ground. However, Chicago was simply unable to generate scoring drives consistently, which is a recipe for disaster against a team like the Packers.

Defense:

The Bears’ defensive philosophy is to bend, but not break. In other words, the number of yards allowed doesn’t matter as long as they don’t give up a ton of points. Well against the Packers, the Bears’ defense was broken several times over. Starting on their opening drive, the Packers marched 80 yards on nine plays to take an early 7-0 lead., which pretty much set the tone for the game.

After the Bears trimmed the lead to 14-10 early in the third quarter, Aaron Rodgers (21-of-29, 283 yards), responded with a 55-yard touchdown pass to a wide open Jordy Nelson, which essentially put the game out of reach. Aaron Rodgers threw for a career-high five touchdowns and Jordy Nelson torched the Bears’ secondary with 115 reception yards on six catches.

Following their fifth consecutive loss, the Bears are now eliminated from playoff contention. Regardless of whether or not they beat the Minnesota Vikings next week, there are a number of issues the Bears will need to address both on the field as well as the front office.

James Tillman is a resident of the Chicago-land area who has been an NFL fan for over 20 years. James is also a fan blogger on Yahoo Sports and NJFFL Dynasty. For interesting topics on the NFL, NBA and MLB, follow him on Twitter @jtillman9693.

Sources:

NBC Channel 5

“Early score sets the tone”, Sean Jensen, Chicago Sun-Times

“Mr. Rodgers not a friend of Bears”, Rick Morrissey, Chicago Sun-Times

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The Kansas City Chiefs only scored 10 points against the Chicago Bears, seven of them in the first half. It was that they needed in a hard-fought 10-3 victory over the Chicago Bears Dec. 4.

The key play was a miracle Hail Mary pass as time expired in the first half when Dexter McCluster(notes) caught a ball deflected by the Bears’ defense. The Chiefs’ defense held on after that, including getting an interception in the end zone as Chicago was looking to tie the game in the fourth quarter.

Quarterback Tyler Palko(notes) had his first good outing as he didn’t throw an interception. He only had 157 yards passing and was 17-for-30, but the Chiefs didn’t cough up the football like they normally do. The only time Kansas City made a huge mistake was touching the ball on a punt that gave the ball back to the Bears.

Chicago’s mistakes also helped Kansas City throughout the game. Chad Hanie, who was starting in place for the injured Jay Cutler(notes), was sacked seven times. The special teams missed a 41-yard field goal late in the third quarter after they got to the Kansas City seven yard line before giving up two sacks.

The Bears’ red zone offense only scored three points. The interception in the end zone occurred after the ball wasn’t caught by the Bears and deflected several times before coming down to Jon McGraw(notes).

The only touchdown of the game also could have been prevented. The defending Bears deflected the ball to McCluster who grabbed it before it touched the ground. McCluster had 61 yards rushing on nine carries, including a 32-yard run in the second half.

It wasn’t pretty, but the Chiefs got a much-needed victory. In all honesty, the win could have saved the season for Kansas City. The news wasn’t all good. The Denver Broncos got another miracle comeback when they defeated the Minnesota Vikings on the final play of the game thanks to an interception deep in Vikings territory.

Backup quarterback Kyle Orton(notes) was in the game against the Bears for one play and hurt his finger after he was thrown to the turf following an incomplete pass. Orton didn’t return and his status for any future games has yet to be determined.

Kansas City improved to 5-7 on the year, just two games behind the Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders in the AFC West standings with four games left on the year. A division title is still within reach. Kansas City would need to win while needing two teams to lose at least twice between now and early January.

William Browning is a fan of the Kansas City Chiefs after latching on to the team during the lean years of St. Louis football. Born in the gateway city, he is also a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan. He currently resides in Branson, Mo.

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