The Vikings were absolutely pathetic last week and have lost 5 of their last 6 games.  The Lions have lost 4 straight games, but 3 of them were close.

The Vikings are going to be without Chester Taylor in this football game.  Ciatrick Fason and Mewelde Moore will split the carries and they will certainly get work against a Lions defense that is allowing 127.1 yards rushing and 4.2 yards per carry.  The Vikings may lean towards the run to protect Brad Johnson, who has been downright awful lately.  Johnson should have time to throw the ball this week as the Lions don’t rush the passer very well.  The problem is that the Vikings really don’t have any good WRs.

The Lions philosophy on offense matches up well with the weakness of the Vikings defense.  If Jon Kitna (3,190 passing yards) can protect the football, the Lions should score alot of points.  Roy Williams (63 rec, 1,043 yards) and Mike Furrey (65 rec, 773 yards) could both have good games against the Vikings pass defense which allows 224.3 net yards passing per game.  Kevin Jones (692 rushing, 453 receiving) will also be a tough match-up for the Vikings, but the Vikes only allow 58.8 yards rushing per game and 2.8 yards per carry so far this season.

The Vikings won the first meeting 26-17 over the Lions in Minnesota, but the Vikings were playing alot better at that time.  The Lions should win this football game, because they match-up well with the Vikings.

The Vikings used all three QBs on their roster in the game today against the Bears, and it wasn’t pretty.  Brad Johnson looked pathetic completing 11 of 26 passes for 73 yards and 4 INTs.  Brooks Bollinger was next and completed 7 of 9 passes for 70 yards.  Rookie Tavaris Jackson finished up the game completing 3 of 4 passes for 35 yards.  Chester Taylor played pretty well as he carried the football 17 times for 99 yards (5.8 ypc).  Ciatrick Fason carried the ball 11 times for 75 yards (6.8 ypc) and a TD.  Mewelde Moore carried the ball 3 times for 13 yards (4.3 ypc) and caught 5 passes for 51 yards.  Billy McMullen caught 3 passes for 42 yards.  Marcus Robinson pitched in with 5 receptions for 37 yards.

The defense of the Vikings played an outstanding football game.  The Vikings held the Bears to 83 yards rushing on 25 carries (3.3 ypc).  The Bears only completed 6 of 19 passes for 24 net yards passing and the Vikings intercepted 3 passes.

The Vikings were victims of huge plays that were not in their favor.  Devin Hester returned a punt 45 yards for a TD.  Ricky Manning intercepted a Brad Johnson pass and returned it 54 yards for a TD and the Bears got a safety.

The Vikings should start playing their younger players with an eye on next season from here on out.

The Vikings snapped a 4 game losing streak last week when they beat the Cardinals 31-26.  The Bears lost a tough game against New England, and are only 2-2 in their last 4 games.

The Vikings will attempt to run the ball against the Bears.  Chester Taylor (999 yards rushing) could have some success against the Bears who allow 98.0 yards rushing per game and 3.9 yards per carry.  The Vikings have to protect Brad Johnson against the aggressive pass rush of the Bears.  Johnson also will have to be very careful with the Bears secondary, as they already have 17 INTs this season.

The Bears will still try to run the ball against the Vikings #1 rated run defense.  The Vikings only allow 56.6 yards rushing per game and 2.8 yards per carry.  Thomas Jones (945 yards rushing) and Cedric Benson (312 yards rushing) will have to fight for every yard they get.  The Bears will have to be careful and protect Grossman well.  If the Vikings hit him early, this could be an INT fest.

The first time these teams met, the game was a slobber-knocker that the Bears prevailed in 19-16.  Expect another low-scoring football game with the Bears again winning.