By: Larry Fitzgerald
Originally posted 12/30/2009
CHICAGO — Timing is everything, and right now the Vikings are having a tough time getting the job done. For the second week in a row, the Vikings on the road lost to a team with no hope of making the playoffs and with more losses than wins.
Last week, the Carolina Panthers opened up a 26-7 controversy between Head Coach Brad Childress and quarterback Brett Favre. While the Vikings are already NFC North Champs, they were hoping to improve their postseason position.
The Chicago Bears reminded the Vikings they still have a rivalry on a cold Monday night at Soldier's Field. It was the last Monday Night Football game of this decade, and the Bears came out of hibernation and out-hit and outplayed the Vikings 36-30.
Herman Edwards once said, “You play to win the game.” The Vikings were playing “trying to catch the New Orleans Saints for the NFC's number-one seed.” And, they came out flat again on national TV — whether it's NBC or ABC, the Vikings are not ready for prime time. Not after three straight road losses in December to Arizona, Carolina and the Bears.
It's the eighth time the Bears have beaten the Vikings in Chicago in the last nine years. This was no fluke; the Bears were better: running, throwing, blocking and tackling. They laid it on the line against a better team for their coach, Lovie Smith. The Vikings handed the number-one seed to New Orleans by losing again. Sunday, they hope to avoid a third straight loss when the New York Giants come to the Dome.
They played an awful first half and fell behind 16-0 to the Bears, losers of six of their last seven games. Yes, the Vikings came back in the second half with Favre leading the charge from 16-0 and 23-6 in the third quarter to tie the game at 30-30 and force overtime.
But, this Vikings ship has several leaks. There is nothing special about their special teams. The Vikings had an extra point blocked, or they would have won in regulation 31-30. They can't cover kicks: The Bears had 214 yards on kick returns. And, they miss far too many tackles.
Punter Chris Kluwe was awful Monday night; he averaged 34 yards a punt. Cornerback Antione Winfield suddenly can't cover receivers. Kevin Williams played the entire game and did not make a tackle or record a sack.
Favre's first-half fumble led to a Bears field goal. Adrian Peterson's overtime fumble led to the game-winning score. Both superstars Favre and Peterson accepted responsibility for the loss.
The Vikings have imploded from within; it's in their heads. Just four weeks ago, the Vikings were 11-1. Now they are 11-4. They are now 8-1 when they score 30 or more points.
Quarterback Jay Cutler won his personal duel with Favre. Cutler is now 14-0 when his QB rating is 100+. Monday night, his rating was 108.4; he threw four touchdown passes including the dramatic game winner.
Fitz Notes & Quotes
Now that both Indianapolis (14-1) and New Orleans (13-2) have lost, the hottest teams in the NFL are the San Diego Chargers — winners of 10 straight — and Philadelphia — winners of six straight.
Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner joined Hall of Famer Fran Tarkenton, formerly with the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants, as the only quarterbacks in NFL history to throw 100 touchdown passes with two different teams. Warner threw 102 touchdown passes while with the St. Louis Rams.
Warner completed 24 of 38 passes for 313 yards and two touchdowns Sunday, helping the NFC West Champion Cardinals to a 31-10 win against his former team the St. Louis Rams. Warner led the Cardinals to their first back-to-back division crowns since 1974-75.
Larry Fitzgerald can be heard weekday mornings on KMOJ Radio 89.9 FM at 8:20 am, and on WDGY-AM 740 Monday & Saturday mornings at 7:50 am and Fridays at 3:50 pm; he also commentates on sports 7-8 pm on Almanac (TPT channel 2). Larry welcomes reader responses to lfitzgerald@spokesman-recorder.com , or visit www.Larry-Fitzger ald.com.
