Check out news and notes from the Vikings – Bears game at Soldier Field.
Mr. Hippe Weather Report:
The Bears defeated the Vikings 23-13 to clinch the NFC North crown last December, getting a 45-yard punt return from Devin Hester and a 54-yard interception return from Ricky Manning Jr.
The Bears have won four of the last five meetings, but the Vikings hold a 48-41-2 advantage overall.
Chicago scored a 27-20, come-from-behind victory Sunday night over Green Bay, avoiding a four-game division deficit to the Packers after five games. Instead, the Bears forced five turnovers, and Brian Griese tossed the game-winning touchdown pass with 2:05 left, getting Chicago within two games of the NFC North lead. ... The Vikings had a bye in Week 5.
The Vikings look to stop a three-game skid in which they have lost by a combined 13 points. Chicago, with its confidence-building win Sunday night, appears to be headed in the opposite direction.
Griese, who started to find his rhythm in the second half of the Packers game, faces a Vikings pass defense ranked 30th in the league. The Bears are looking to get rookie tight end Greg Olsen and all-purpose speedster Devin Hester more involved in the offense, which should open things up for Griese, who found success against Green Bay with play-action passes.
Vikings RB Adrian Peterson leads NFL rookies with 383 rushing yards and tops the NFC with 549 yards from scrimmage (383 rushing, 166 receiving). Peterson has 100-plus rushing yards in three of his first four career games and aims to become the first rookie to lead the NFC in rushing since Hall of Famer Barry Sanders in 1989. ... Chicago is 13-3 in its past 16 games at home, outscoring opponents, 362-206.
Chicago won the toss and elected to receive.
The Bears return-man Devin Hester broke off an 89-yard punt return to open the scoring and give Chicago a 7-0 lead. Vikings punter Chris Kluwe hit a nice 54-yard punt on the play but Hester was able to break a tackle and followed his blockers downfield.
The Vikings answered Hester’s return with a 60-yard passing touchdown to close the first quarter. On the longest play of the 2007 season, quarterback Tarvaris Jackson found wide receiver Troy Williamson streaking down the left sideline. Williamson caught the ball in stride and strolled into the endzone. The drive moved 74 yards on four plays and took 1:56 off the game clock.
2nd QUARTER
Chicago regained the lead four minutes into the second quarter. Quarterback Brian Griese connected with wide receiver Bernard Berrian down the ride sideline for a 39-yard touchdown. The Bears moved 67 yards on six plays and took 3:15 off the game clock.
Vikings rookie running back Adrian Peterson broke a couple tackles and took a handoff 67 yards for the tying score. The run pushed him over 100 yards for the fourth time this season. The Vikings drive went 80 yards on four plays and took 2:03 off the game clock. With two minutes remaining in the first half, it was all knotted up at 14.
In 2007 Peterson has two runs of over 50 yards, the Vikings record is three held by Robert Smith and Michael Bennett. Peterson’s 67-yard touchdown run is the 3rd longest by a Viking against the Bears in the 93 games of the series and is also the longest run by a Vikings rookie in team history.
3rd QUARTER
Adrian Peterson struck again with 2:31 remaining in the quarter. He took a handoff from Tarvaris Jackson and ran around the left end for a 73-yard touchdown run. The drive went 88 yards on three plays and took 1:35 off the clock. The run marked the eighth longest in team history.
Minnesota Vikings kicker Ryan Longwell split the uprights from 48 yards out to extend the Vikings lead to 10 with 11:31 remaining in the contest. The scoring drive went 34 yards on nine plays and took 3:29 off the clock.
Chicago’s kicker Robbie Gould answered Longwell’s field goal with one of his own. With 8:37 remaining in the game, Gould connected on a 32-yard field goal. The drive moved 44 yards on seven plays and took 2:54 off the clock.
Running back Adrian Peterson recorded his third touchdown run of the game when he rattled off a 35-yard touchdown. With 4:10 remaining, the Vikings held a 31-17 advantage and Peterson had a new team record with 231 yards rushing in a single game. The drive went 68 yards on eight plays and took 4:27 off the game clock.
Bears quarterback Brian Griese tossed his second touchdown pass of the game when he found wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad streaking across the middle of the field. Muhammad pulled in the pass and went 33 yards for the score. The drive was quick moving 53 yards on three plays and taking only 20 seconds off the game clock.
Chicago’s special teams star Devin Hester made a big play on offense pulling in a pass for an 81-yard touchdown. Brian Griese connected with Hester down the right sideline. The scoring drive was only two plays and took 15 seconds off the clock.
Minnesota Vikings kicker Ryan Longwell connected on a 55-yard field goal as time expired to give the Vikings a 34-31 win. It was Longwell’s career long. Adrian Peterson set up the kick with a 53-yard kickoff return to the Chicago 38.