Minnesota Vikings Roll Past Chicago Bears

NFL News - November 30th, 2009 - Written by John

While the Chicago Bears continue to struggle to find an identity, the Minnesota Vikings keep cruising along. Riding the surgically repaired arm of Brett Favre for the second-straight week, the Vikings improved to 10-1, becoming only the second team in the NFL to reach double-digit wins with a 36-10 drubbing of the Bears on Sunday.

"I figured we'd have to throw it some," Favre said. "I didn't come just to hand it off. I love to play."

Favre was referring to the simple game plan that he was told of when signing with the Vikings, in which he would simply have to turn around and hand it to bruiser Adrian Peterson. Peterson did have 85 yards and a score, but it was Favre's season-high 392 yards that did most of the damage. The Vikings outgained the Chicago Bears 537 yards to 126.

Both Favre and Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler came to the NFC North in off-season acquisitions that had fans buzzing about a competitive division. But it has been anything but that since, and Cutler became the league-leading interception thrower two weeks ago. He was picked off again twice by Minnesota, and only threw for 147 yards.

"I think pride is going to become an issue here," Bears defensive end Alex Brown said. "It's going to be heart, pride and who really enjoys playing the game of football."

To fully illustrate the domination, simply go to the box score. The Vikings reached 32 points for the sixth time this season, and the Bears were at or below 15 for the fifth time. Minnesota had 31 first downs and Chicago had only eight. The Bears had the ball only 19 of the 60 minutes and ran 12 plays in the second half for two total yards.

"It's a tough one," said Cutler. "I didn't expect this. We had a good week."

Minnesota set the tone with touchdown strikes by Favre in each of the first two possessions in the second quarter. First it was a 15-yard toss to a diving Percy Harvin that made it 7-7.

After Cutler responded with a 24-yarder to Johnny Knox that tied it up, Favre again found the end zone by completing a 10-yarder to Chester Taylor. The Vikings went into the hafl with a 24-7 lead after a Ryan Longwell field goal and a scoring pass to Visanthe Shiancoe with 17 ticks to go.

Five players had at least five receptions for Minnesota, the main beneficiary being Harvin. The rookie reached 100 yards for the first time this year with 101, and had 45 yards rushing.

"I think people are starting to look at our receivers like they do at Adrian Peterson as a force to be reckoned with," Favre said.

Now just may be a great time to get in on 2009 NFL Week 13 Betting Odds, as the Vikings go up against the Cardinals.