• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Subscribe
    • Become a print subscriber
    • Sign up for e-Newsletter
    • e-Editions
Saturday, September 23, 2023
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Women’s Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
      • Photo of the Week
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Notices
      • Legals
      • Announcements
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Women’s Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
      • Photo of the Week
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Notices
      • Legals
      • Announcements
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
No Result
View All Result

Bears smack Vikings to regain first place

by MSR News Online
November 28, 2012
56
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on LinkedIn

CHICAGO — On a spectacular sun-splashed Sunday in my hometown of Chicago at historic Soldier Field, the Vikings had their bubble of expectation busted by the monsters of the Midway, the Chicago Bears — Bears 28, Vikings 10.

It was more like a mauling. Clearly, for whatever reason, the Vikings were not ready Sunday. Jay Cutler returned to the starting lineup at quarterback for the Bears after battling concussion symptoms, and maybe that was enough to inspire the Bears, who had lost back-to-back prime time contests to 10-1 Houston (13-6, the game in which Cutler suffered a concussion) and to 8-2-1 San Francisco, who beat the Bears up 32-7 on Monday Night Football.

The Vikings were just what the Bears needed, a team half-stepping along but not totally committed to getting the job done. Their superstar running back, Adrian Peterson, missed the team bus to Soldier Field and arrived in a cab about 90 minutes before kickoff. That type of distraction is difficult to measure. “It’s not good any time one of your leaders is not where he’s supposed to be,” said Vikings Head Coach Leslie Frazier. ”It’s a big deal.” It’s an indication that you’re not totally committed to the task at hand. And it showed!

The Vikings missed blocks and tackles, dropped several balls, and Peterson fumbled twice. He was awful in the first half with seven carries for just 25 yards and a fumble. The Bears had 16 first downs to the Vikings’ three; the Bears were seven of 10 on third down while the Vikings were 0-3. It was Bears 25, Vikings 3 at half.

QB Jay Cutler, at right, who led the Bears to victory, looks to go deep as receiver Earl Bennett (80) heads downfield.
Photo by Steve Floyd

By then it was already “Game over — get out of town, you pretenders!” The Bears own the Vikings, you might say, having won six in row now dating back to 2009.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

The Vikings still lead the all-time series, which began in 1961, 52-49-2. But since Lovie Smith has been head coach of the Bears, this being his ninth season, Chicago has won 11 of 17 meetings. The Bears are now back on top of the NFC North at 8-3. The Vikings are third at 6-5, still very much in the playoff chase. The Packers are next for the Vikings.

The Super Bowl Champion New York Giants dominated the Packers Sunday 38-10, knocking them out of a tie for first with the Bears in the NFC North. Next Sunday the Vikings travel to Green Bay and will get a shot at the 7-4 Packers, who are in second place in the division.

The Vikings played poorly across the board — they never sustained anything. The kicking game let them down as well. Punter Chris Kluwe had a 23-yard punt that led to a Bears first half score. I asked Leslie Frazier after the game if there was a turning point in the game, but he could not identify one or chose not to. However, I think the game turned into a rout after Blair Walsh had his 30-yard field attempt blocked by Julius Peppers of the Bears. It was a 10-3 game early in the second quarter; had the Vikings got that field goal, it would have been a 10-6 game.

However, the Bears took the momentum from the block and marched 80 yards in 14 plays. Michael Bush scored on a one-yard run to make it 16-3 Bears. Then the Bears caught the Vikings napping and converted a two-point play: 18-3 Bears. Then in the next series, quarterback Christian Ponder threw an interception and Chris Conte of the Bears returned it 35 yards to the Vikings’ 13. Cutler then hit tight end Matt Spaeth for a touchdown of 13 yards: game over, 25-3 Bears.

The Vikings lost two replay challenges on scoring plays, one on a fumble for a touchdown. But as they say in the business, “If ‘if’ was a fifth, we would all be drunk.” The Bears were better prepared; they played tougher and pounced on the Vikings’ mistakes. And the Vikings made many mistakes — it was a giant setback.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

The Vikings have now lost three of their last four games. After starting 4-1, they have lost four of six. Nobody said this would be easy for the Vikings with Green Bay, Chicago, St. Louis and Houston, three of which are on the road, and then Green Bay at home to finish the season.

It’s fish or cut bait time. Peterson finished the game with 108 yards on 18 carries and had six receptions for 30 yards. That’s five straight games rushing for 100 yards or more, 148 yards total, so not a bad day. However, the fumbles were critical, and being on time is always important.

 

Larry Fitzgerald can be heard weekday mornings on KMOJ Radio 89.9 FM at 8:25 am, on WDGY-AM 740 Monday-Friday at 12:17 pm and 4:17 pm, and at www.Gamedaygold.com. He also commentates on sports 7-8 pm on Almanac (TPT channel 2). Follow him on Twitter at FitzBeatSr. Larry welcomes reader responses to info@larry-fitzgerald.com, or visit www.Larry-Fitzgerald.com.

 

- ADVERTISEMENT -

 

 

Support Black local news

Help amplify Black voices by donating to the MSR. Your contribution enables critical coverage of issues affecting the community and empowers authentic storytelling.

Donate Now!

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Walter Bond credits Clem Haskins with making men of boys

Next Post

There’s nothing else quite like Black college football

MSR News Online

Reach the MSR staff at msrnewsonline@spokesman-recorder.com.

You Might Also Like

60th anniversary of Birmingham church bombing unites families of victims and perpetrators
Opinion

Four Little Girls

Blue Line extension planning moves forward after two key votes
Local

Blue Line extension planning moves forward after two key votes

Compton's Finest
Arts & Culture

Fall into new jazz releases

Black Business Spotlight: Thoroughbred Moving and Installation
Black Business Spotlight

Black Business Spotlight: Thoroughbred Moving and Installation

Comcast donates free WiFi access to four Twin Cities nonprofits to increase digital opportunities in the region
Local

Comcast donates free WiFi access to four Twin Cities nonprofits to increase digital opportunities in the region

Two new early vote centers open in Minneapolis
Local

Early voting begins Sept. 22 for local elections

Next Post

There’s nothing else quite like Black college football

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
ADVERTISEMENT

Upcoming Events

Sep 12
September 12 @ 6:30 pm-December 18 @ 9:30 pm Recurring

Vic Volare Presents MUSIC FOR MARTINIS ft: Vic’s Fabulous Nightclub Academy

Sep 22
September 22 @ 5:00 pm-September 23 @ 8:30 pm

9th Annual Lantern Lighting Celebration at Lakewood Cemetery

Sep 23
10:00 am-1:00 pm

Expanding Diversity Career Fair

Sep 23
7:30 pm-9:00 pm Recurring

Michhil Amra | We Are The Procession

View Calendar
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Read our latest e-Edition!

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Subscribe

  • Home/Office Delivery
  • Weekly e-newsletter
  • e-Editions

Support

  • Donate
  • Subscribe
  • MSR Newsstand Locations

Connect

  • About
    • MSR Staff
  • Contact
  • Send a news tip
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

No Result
View All Result
  • News & Features
    • Local
    • National
  • All Sections
    • Arts & Culture
    • Health & Wellness
      • Women’s Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • MN Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Business
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
      • Small Business Month Celebration
    • Opinion
    • Sports
  • Events
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • Donate
  • Subscribe

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d bloggers like this: