Oct. 31--After a week off, the Bears will return to action Sunday, diving into a key NFC North battle with the Vikings at Soldier Field. For the seventh consecutive game, the Bears will be underdogs, looking to bounce back after their overtime loss to the Lions in Week 6.
With kickoff nearing, here's our snapshot look at Sunday's game.
Keep an eye on ...
The Vikings' pass rush. It comes from everywhere and could present real difficulty for a banged up Bears offensive line that remains in flux.
Through six games, nine Vikings players have chipped in on the team's 17-sack total. That includes players on all three levels of the defense with end Everson Griffen leading the way with 4 1/2 sacks.
It's not just that the Vikings are relentless with their pressure, it's that they are so creative. Coach Mike Zimmer has molded a unit that sends blitzers from all angles and is accomplished at disguising each look.
On many plays, the Vikings show the potential for eight rushers and it will be up to the Bears' line as well as quarterback Jay Cutler to identify which four, five or six defenders actually are coming.
"We're going to have to make sure our communication is on point," Cutler said.
How hard of a task is it to keep the Vikings' rush in check? Ask Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford who was sacked seven times and hit on 13 other occasions last Sunday.
"Some games are just like that," Zimmer said. "You get on a roll. And it's hard to get it stopped."
Cutler believes the Bears will have to counteract the Vikings' creativity with a lot of different looks themselves. Offensive coordinator Adam Gase was asked this week what the biggest keys to identifying which Vikings will be bringing the heat. Gase could only chuckle.
"I have no clue," he said. "They do a great job as far as disguising who is coming. That is why Coach Zimmer has had the success he has had over his career. He makes it tough on offenses. And he always has."
Player in spotlight
Matt Forte admitted he feels an extra surge of motivation this week as Vikings star Adrian Peterson is coming to town. But it's not so much a head-to-head battle Forte is concerned with. The Bears running back understands he, too, can play a major role in defending Peterson.
"For me, it's a motivation to run the ball (well) so we can keep him off the field," Forte said. "If we can be effective like that, we can have the time of possession on our side and then obviously do something with that and score points."
The Bears' ongoing quest to control clock and shorten games falls right into Forte's hands and the veteran running back understands the importance of those responsibilities.
Pressing question
How much does the Vikings' seven-game Soldier Field losing streak really mean?
Probably not much. Both the Vikings and Bears have experienced enough turnover in recent years that games from three, five or seven years ago have no bearing on what happens Sunday. But ...
Zimmer was thrilled to be reminded of his franchise's Chicago woes this week, believing it's ideal motivational fuel. So, yes, Zimmer openly has made reference to the losing skid.
"Players like to be challenged," Zimmer said. "They're competitors and they all like to prove people wrong. So that's just kind of my mindset."
Injury update
Shea McClellin officially is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game, still sidelined with a left knee injury. McClellin suffered the injury during the Oct. 11 victory at Kansas City and hasn't practiced since, making it a long shot he returns this weekend.
Left tackle Jermon Bushrod, meanwhile, seems likely to miss his fourth straight game, still dealing with a shoulder issue. Bushrod is one of four Bears listed as questionable along with Antrel Rolle (ankle), Hroniss Grasu (neck) and Bruce Gaston (illness). Matt Slauson (knee, shoulder) and Patrick Omameh (ankle) are both probable.
