Current Odds

This game was off the board all week until Saturday because of the uncertainty of both the Minnesota starting quarterback and where this game would be played. Once Joe Webb was named the starter and the location was set at the University of Minnesota, the oddsmakers finally posted a line on Saturday afternoon and opened with the Bears as a 7-point road favorite which immediately rose to -7½. The line has since risen higher to -8 and -8½ in most locations as 56% of the public is favoring Chicago according to the consensus sites.

The Over/Under line opened at 34 total points on Saturday and was quickly bet down to 33 points in most locations, despite the fact 62% of the public is supporting the Over according to the consensus sites. This game is being played outdoors and the weather forecast is calling for an 80% chance of snow showers on Monday night. The kickoff temperature will be 26 degrees with a wind chill of 14 degrees.

Injury Report

The Vikings will be forced to start rookie quarterback Joe Webb tonight as Brett Favre (shoulder) and Tarvaris Jackson (toe) are both out with injuries. Webb attempted 30 passes in four preseason games with a solid 95.3 QB rating and 126 rushing yards on 11 attempts (11.5 ypr); however he struggled in his one regular season appearance last week against the Giants with a 47.9 QB rating. The backup quarterback will be Patrick Ramsey who was just signed last week and played this preseason with the New Orleans Saints.

Webb should have his top two offensive weapons available this week as running back Adrian Peterson (knee) and wide receiver Percy Harvin (migraine) are listed as probable and both are expected to play. Harvin has missed the past two games, but still leads the team in receiving with 51 receptions and 627 yards (12.3 ypc), while Peterson is the team’s leading rusher with 1,149 rushing yards (4.7 ypr) and 12 total touchdowns this season.

The Bears are extremely healthy and have only a few players on the injury report. Tight end Desmond Clark (neck) is questionable, while linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa (knee) is doubtful. Defensive end Marcus Harrison is probable after missing last week’s game due to an illness.

Caught in a Webb

The Vikings have gone from an iron man quarterback to a rookie in just a couple of weeks. After Brett Favre’s NFL record of 297 consecutive starts (321 if you include the playoffs) ended last week, the Vikings will start Joe Webb against the Bears. Interim head coach Leslie Frazier likes what he has seen from the rookie: “Joe Webb had a good day today,” Frazier said. “He really seems as if this whole thing is not too big for him, and I’m really looking forward to watching him on Monday night.”

Webb played at UAB, and he put-up some good numbers in college last year. He threw for 2,300 yards with 21 touchdown passes to just 8 interceptions. Webb is also a mobile quarterback and his ability to create plays with his legs was also a key part of his collegiate success. Webb was actually drafted as a wide receiver, but the Vikings had no choice but to play him at quarterback after Favre’s backup, Tarvaris Jackson, was injured last week versus the Giants. Webb completed just 2-of-5 passes for 8 yards and he ran for a 16-yard gain in limited action last Monday night.

”It’s not all about Joe Webb,” Frazier said. “Our offense has to play well around him. Our defense has to play well; our special teams have to play well. If that’s the case, then Joe doesn’t have to feel as if I’ve got to do what Brett Favre does for our football team or what Tarvaris Jackson does for our football team.”

Take it to the Bank

Because the Metrodome roof collapsed before the Vikings’ game last week, Minnesota will now be playing their second straight “home” game on somebody else’s field. The Vikings hosted the Giants in Detroit last week, and they’ll be hosting the Bears at TCF Bank Stadium tonight which is the home field of the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers. The difference here is the fact that this game will be played outdoors. The last time the Vikings played an outdoor game in Minnesota was 29 years ago to the day which is very ironic.

It took an army of workers to clear the stadium of snow, and NFL officials are satisfied with the location. The players aren’t however, and they’ve been quite vocal about the situation. “Man, it’s a dictatorship,” said Bears safety Chris Harris. “What they say is the law. It doesn’t matter what I think. Guys are really concerned about the field, more so than where we play. We don’t want to go out there and play on a concrete-type surface.”

The Vikings announced a first-come, first-serve ticket policy for tonight’s game. There is no assigned seating, so it will be interesting to see how many fans turn out for this game. The stadium only holds 50,000 people which is 14,000 less seats than the Metrodome. It’s a good thing no beer will served during this game or things could get ugly, especially if the Vikings play like they did last week in their 21-3 loss versus the Giants.

Jaws on Cutler

Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler plays either really good or really bad. There’s hardly anything in between for him. Cutler threw an NFL-high 26 interceptions last season, and through 13 games this season, he has throw 12 interceptions. Former Philadelphia quarterback and current Monday Night Football commentator Ron Jaworski is known for his detailed film study of NFL quarterbacks.

In preparation for this game, Jaworski broke down Cutler’s 12 interceptions on film. Jaws still doesn’t like what he sees from Cutler, but he has noticed some improvement under the tutelage of offensive coordinator Mike Martz.

”I was quite surprised,” commented Jaworski, “because 11 of the 12 were bad decisions.” Jaworski only counted one interception that was a receiver’s fault. “Eleven of the 12,” he said, “I would put on Jay.” Still, Jaworski said he has been impressed by Cutler’s potential in Martz’s offensive system. “I will also say some of the throws he’s made, my head exploded,” Jaworski commented. “I’m telling you, some of the best throws of the year. He’s making all kinds of plays down the field.”

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