Vikings-Bears game scout

A look at the vitals, keys to the game, key injuries and fast facts for Sunday’s game between the Vikings and Bears.

Sunday
San Diego Chargers (3-3) at Buffalo Bills (4-1)
New Orleans Saints (3-3) at Carolina Panthers (4-2)
Minnesota Vikings (3-3) at Chicago Bears (3-3)
Pittsburgh Steelers (4-1) at Cincinnati Bengals (0-6)
Tennessee Titans (5-0) at Kansas City Chiefs (1-4)
Baltimore Ravens (2-3) at Miami Dolphins (2-3)
San Francisco 49ers (2-4) at New York Giants (4-1)
Dallas Cowboys (4-2) at St. Louis Rams (1-4)
Detroit Lions (0-5) at Houston Texans (1-4)
Indianapolis Colts (3-2) at Green Bay Packers (3-3)
New York Jets (3-2) at Oakland Raiders (1-4)
Cleveland Browns (2-3) at Washington Redskins (4-2)
Seattle Seahawks (1-4) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-2)Monday
Denver Broncos (4-2) at New England Patriots (3-2)

Minnesota Vikings (3-3) at Chicago Bears (3-3)
KICKOFF: Sunday, 1:00 ET
GAMEDATE: 10/19/08
SURFACE: Grass
TV: FOX (Sam Rosen, Tim Ryan, Charissa Thompson)

SERIES

94th regular-season meeting. Vikings lead regular-season series, 50-41-2, and are 21-23-2 against the Bears on the road. The Vikings have won five of the past 10 games against the Bears and 11 of the past 20.

KEYS TO THE GAME

Bernard Berrian’s ability to create big plays vertically or by making runs after shorter receptions has made defenses pay for stacking the box against RB Adrian Peterson. Chicago dared Falcons rookie QB Matt Ryan to throw last Sunday and paid the price. With a beat up secondary, the Bears might not be able to afford to overload against Peterson.

Bears QB Kyle Orton has stepped out of the “game manager” role and is making impressive plays on a weekly basis. He’ll have to against Minnesota, because RB Matt Forte’ will find the sledding tough against the Vikings’ fourth-ranked run defense. Forte’ will still be a factor in the passing game - his 27 receptions lead the team by eight - as will emerging WRs Rashied Davis and Devin Hester.


KEY INJURIES

Vikings: LB David Herron (hip) is out and likely will be replaced by Dontarrious Thomas; WR Sidney Rice (knee) is day-to-day. Bears: WR Brandon Lloyd (knee) and S Danieal Manning (hamstring) are out; CB Nate Vasher (hand/wrist) should return after missing two games, but CB Charles Tillman (shoulder) might be out.

FAST FACTS

Peterson’s six lost fumbles equals his total from his rookie season.

Peterson rushed for 224 yards at Soldier Field last season.

The Bears beat the Vikings 35-18 in an NFC wild-card game in 1994 at the Metrodome after Minnesota swept the regular-season series. That ended a six-game winning streak the Vikings had against Chicago at the time.

This will be the 95th meeting overall between these teams, which ties the series with the Green Bay Packers for most games against any opponent for the Vikings.

The Vikings’ first regular-season game and first victory came against Chicago. The expansion team pulled off a huge upset on Sept. 17, 1961 when they beat the Bears 37-13 at Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington, Minn.

The Vikings also got the first shutout in their history against Chicago but that did not come until Oct. 12, 1969 when they cruised to a 31-0 victory in Chicago.

Safety Darren Sharper has eight career interceptions against Chicago. Seven of those came during his eight seasons with the Green Bay Packers. Sharper’s lone interception against Chicago as a member of the Vikings was on Dec. 17, 2007, when he picked off Kyle Orton. That’s also the last time Sharper intercepted a pass. The Vikings have played eight games since that time.

CB Antoine Winfield recorded the first touchdown of his career when he picked off Rex Grossman and returned it for a 7-yard touchdown against Chicago on Sept. 24, 2006.

RB Adrian Peterson has five rushing touchdowns in only two games against the Bears. Three of those came in the Vikings’ 34-31 victory at Chicago on Oct. 14, 2007. The touchdowns went for 67, 73 and 35 yards.