Adrian Peterson, Brian Robison and Chad Greenway are the only three Vikings players on the current roster that were on the team to experience the last time Minnesota defeated the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.
Peterson was in the fifth game of his rookie season in Minnesota and rushed for career-highs of 224 yards and three touchdowns against the divisional foe on that day. When the RB addressed the media in the locker room on Thursday, he recalled his spectacular day running the football and the nail-biting 34-31 Vikings victory.
Mark Craig of the Star Tribune wrote how Peterson reflected fondly on long runs, pants falling down and winning in Chicago.
What do you remember about the time you won in Chicago?
*Adrian Peterson is one of them who was on the team in 2007 and he speaks to the media on Thursdays, so …
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"I remember like a 60-yard run; I remember it was a big day," said Peterson, who had 224 yards and three touchdowns on just 20 carries in a 34-31 win in just his fifth game as an NFL player.
"I remember the one run, I think it might have been an outside zone play. I broke it to the left and then I got wrapped up and spinned out of a tackle and went across the field and I remember Bernard Berrian and I think Bobby Wade made two great blocks. And I took it down the sideline [73 yards] for a touchdown."
Peterson also remembers a kickoff return. This was a young Adrian, so he also had four kickoff returns for 128 yards that day.
"I remember the kickoff return; I think my pants came down, got pulled down to my knees almost," Peterson said. "Good thing I had some tights on on that play. Then I remember [Ryan] Longwell coming out and kicking the field goal for the [win]."
Keys to winning against the Bears at Soldier Field
The Vikings are seeking a second consecutive divisional win on the road in a place where they haven't won in their previous seven games played. Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater said that Mike Zimmer brought up the streak in the team meeting on Wednesday morning and that his team is aware of it.
John Holler of Vikings update gives the keys to a Minnesota Vikings victory at Soldier Field on Sunday.
Reverse the Curse –* Usually it takes chatter from the North Side of Chicago to get the discussion of curses involved. In his rookie season, Adrian Peterson set a Vikings franchise single-game rushing record with 224 rushing yards and three touchdowns against Chicago. A game like that should have resulted in a 20-point win at a minimum. It took a 55-yard bomb from Ryan Longwell that skinned the goal post for a 34-31 win. Why is that important? It's the only game since the new millennium started in 2001 (look it up and impress your friends on our message boards) that the Vikings have won in Illinois against the Bears. Gamblers will tell you that's more than a trend. Ending it will be a big step if the Vikings can get the job done.*
Let Him Throw, Let Him Throw, Let Him Throw –* In six games, opposing quarterbacks have sliced and diced the Bears – throwing 15 touchdowns with just three interceptions and a passer rating of 108.6. To put that in perspective, the only quarterbacks with a higher passer rating than what the Bears routinely allow are Andy Dalton, Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady and Carson Palmer. Between the four of them, their teams have lost twice all season.*
McPhee looking to spark Bears rushing defense
The Chicago Bears rank 26th in the NFL in rushing defense and have allowed 124.8 yards a game on the ground.
One linebacker on the Bears spoke out on Thursday that he is still excited to go head-to-head with Peterson. Jeff Dickerson of ESPN Chicago writes that Bears' linebacker Pernell McPhee relishes the chance to face the Vikings half bac*k at *Soldier Field on Sunday.
"I get real excited [to play against Peterson]," McPhee said with a wide grin. "That's it. I'm excited. I'm ready. I'm ready."
Why such enthusiasm to face one of the greatest tailbacks in NFL history?
*"He's the best back in the NFL. ... I get to hit the best back in the NFL," McPhee said. "That's why I'm excited. Because I'm coming."
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Peterson singled out McPhee when discussing the Bears' defense this week. Through six games, McPhee leads the Bears with four sacks and six tackles for loss.
"No. 92 [McPhee], when he's out there playing football, he is not playing around, that's one thing I do know," Peterson said. "Avoid him, and when I run into him, I need to make sure I bring everything I have.
"He is a man among children out there. He's fast, he's strong. He gets to the ball. He has a nose for the ball, and he's trying to make you feel him on each and every play. So I love guys like that, that goes out and competes like that. I'm looking forward to playing against him."
Quick hitters
Jason Gonzalez of the Star Tribune writes Vikings kicker Blair Walsh is kicking on a straighter path.
Andrew Krammer of 1500 ESPN writes its not the offense Mike Wallace expected, but he’s not complaining.
Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune writes about five Vikings statistics that stand out so far.
