5 Things To Know About The Vikings vs Bears Week 13 Game
By Adam Carlson
Sep 15, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) is hit by Chicago Bears outside linebacker Lance Briggs forcing an incomplete pass during the first quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
The Minnesota Vikings are scheduled to take on the Chicago Bears this Sunday from Mall of America Field in Minnesota. Here are five things to know about the upcoming game:
Jan 29, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Baltimore Ravens former head coach Brian Billick is interviewed by FOX reporter Laura Okmin during media day in preparation for Super Bowl XLVII against the San Francisco 49ers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
The game will be commentated by Thomm Brennaman and Brian Billick with Laura Okmin. Vikings fans should be familiar with the voices of Brennaman and Billick. They have already worked several of the team’s games this year and may be in line to do even more. If nothing, those two announcers always keep the conversation going and rarely have nothing to say about a play or player.
Sep 30, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; NFL referee Carl Cheffers (51) prepares for a game between the Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Carl Cheffers will serve as the head official for the contest. Cheffers has been a head referee since 2008, when Mike Pereira said, “He is very knowledgeable of the rules, a good rules guy. Strong presence. He was part of Larry Nemmers’ crew and he was clearly a crew leader. When we first saw Carl, we saw referee experience from him even though he had refereed basically at the small-college level.”
Nov 3, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) with his helmet off returns to the huddle against the Dallas Cowboys at AT
Adrian Peterson has some milestones to reach in this game. Peterson is playing injured, but that shouldn’t stop him from closing in on two very important marks in his career. The first is that he is only 20 carries away from reaching 2,000 career rushing attempts. The second is one that fans should have a lot more fun counting to. He only needs 154 rushing yards to total 10,000 career yards in the NFL.
Nov 24, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; Chicago Bears free safety Chris Conte (47) closes in on St. Louis Rams running back Benny Cunningham (36) as he carries the ball at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago could help Adrian Peterson reach those milestones…and more. The Bears have the NFL’s worst rush defense in a number of statistical categories according to NFL.com. Here are just a few: total rushing yards against (1,597), yards per rush 4.9), rushing yards per game (145.2), and rushing first downs (89). This will help both Adrian Peterson and his backup Toby Gerhart lead the Vikings up and down the field.
December 4, 2011; San Francisco, CA, USA; Detail view of a NFL on Fox television camera operated by a videographer during the fourth quarter between the San Francisco 49ers and the St. Louis Rams at Candlestick Park. The 49ers defeated the Rams 26-0. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The game will be covered by Fox Sports and is scheduled for a kickoff time of noon central time. With the Lions looking like the powerhouse of the division, this is a must-win game for the Bears in order to stay competitive in the division. Meanwhile, the Vikings are not mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, but are more likely to try to play the role of spoiler in this game to gain more respect in the league.
This should be an excellent game between two division opponents. Don’t miss out on the action this game has to offer.