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KICKOFF: Sunday, 8:15 ET
SURFACE: FieldTurf
TV: NBC (Al Michaels, John Madden, Andrea Kremer)
SERIES: 95th regular-season meeting. Vikings lead 50-42-2. Bears won first meeting this season 48-41 on Oct. 19 at Soldier Field. The Bears allowed 439 yards but intercepted Gus Frerotte four times.
PREDICTION: Vikings 21-19
KEYS TO THE GAME: Orton has been efficient, but he needs to start pushing the ball down the field more. Bears receivers haven't topped 70 receiving yards or caught a touchdown in three consecutive games. That has to change against a Vikings team ranked second in stopping the run. Chicago managed just 53 yards on the ground in the first meeting, and RB Matt Forte could be more effective as a receiver out of the backfield than as a running threat. ... Vikings QB Gus Frerotte's passing yards have decreased every game since a season-high 298 yards at Chicago in Week 7. The Bears' defense presents a good opportunity for Frerotte to step up the production again as Chicago's secondary gives up too many underneath passes. The Bears spend a lot of resources on attacking the run, which will be no different against Vikings RBs Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor. That puts increased stress on the secondary and leaves the Bears vulnerable to play-action.
KEY INJURIES: Bears: CB Nate Vasher (thumb/wrist) is out. Vikings: DE Jared Allen (shoulder) and S Madieu Williams (shoulder) will play.
FAST FACTS: Forte is on pace to join Walter Payton (1978, 1983) and Neal Anderson (1989) as the only Bears with 1,000 rushing yards and 50 catches in a season. ... Vikings RB Adrian Peterson has at least two touchdowns runs in three consecutive meetings.
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