Vin+ 3,121 Posted November 24, 2012 (edited) Facing a potential three-game losing streak, the Chicago Bears are hoping for Jay Cutler's return. The Minnesota Vikings surely don't share that sentiment. With Cutler's status still up in the air, the Bears may have to rely on a better performance from backup Jason Campbell as they try to continue their dominance of the rested Vikings on Sunday at Soldier Field. Cutler is trying to return from a concussion suffered in a 13-6 home loss to Houston two weeks ago. He sat out Monday's 32-7 loss at San Francisco, while Campbell connected on 14 of 22 passes for 107 yards with one touchdown, two picks and six sacks. That performance left offensive coordinator Mike Tice itching for Cutler's return against the Vikings (6-4). "God, I hope (he can play)," Tice said. "I do, I really do. Not anything against Jason. Jason did a remarkable job based on the opportunities he was afforded. We've got to get our guy back." Cutler has been given the go-ahead to practice on a limited basis, but still has to be cleared by an independent neurologist to play Sunday. "You trust the doctors and our training staff that we're going to make the right decision for my health, not only in the near future but in my lifetime going forward," Cutler said. "I think everyone's perspective has changed (regarding concussions) because there is just more awareness, there is more information. (But) it's not going to change the way I play football. It's not going to change my desire to return to the field by any means." Minnesota would certainly prefer if Cutler had to sit again. He's led Chicago (7-3) to wins in each of his last four starts in this series, with three coming at Soldier Field. He's tossed 12 touchdowns compared to four interceptions with a 104.5 passer rating in those contests. The Bears beat the Vikings 17-13 on the road in Week 17 last season as Josh McCown filled in for an injured Cutler. McCown would serve as Campbell's backup if Cutler can't go. The Bears have won 10 of the last 11 home meetings with Minnesota, including four in a row. Overall, they've won five straight, one shy of their longest run in the series set from 1983-86. "You're going to play a great team on their home field, a place that we've struggled at," Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway said. "But this is a new year, a new team. And I think we're going to have a focus going in there that we're going to give ourselves a chance." Another strong performance from Adrian Peterson should improve Minnesota's chances. Peterson leads the league with 1,128 rushing yards, averaging 5.8 per carry with seven touchdowns. He's gained 629 of those yards and scored five times on 82 carries over the last four games. Peterson came up big again prior to the Vikings' bye two weeks ago, carrying the ball 27 times for 171 yards - with 61 coming on a fourth-quarter TD in a 34-24 win over Detroit. After averaging 138.5 yards per game and 6.2 per carry while scoring eight TDs in his first four games against Chicago, Peterson has been limited to 67.3 per contest - and 3.4 a touch - on the ground while scoring four times in his last four. The Bears enter this matchup with the league's fifth-ranked defense (311.9 yards per game), but the team seems to be defined by turnovers. Chicago is plus-18 in the turnover department in its seven wins and minus-6 in its three losses. It didn't force one for the first time all season in San Francisco, and also continued to struggle against the run. The Bears have allowed an average of 131.5 yards on the ground in their last four games - 60.5 more than they surrendered during their first six. Still, coach Lovie Smith is looking on the bright side since Chicago is tied with Green Bay for first place in the North. "We have to take 7-3 into it," Smith said. "And I'm not disappointed in us being at the top of our division with the best record, tied for the best record in our division. That's the football team that we are." The Bears' leaky offensive line has allowed 34 sacks - second-most in the league - and that's great news for Jared Allen. Minnesota's star defensive end has 13 sacks in eight games versus Chicago - 4 1/2 in two meetings last season. "There has to be a sense of urgency, and this game is as big as it gets this week," Allen said. "Might as well be the Super Bowl for this week. Then we'll move on to next week." Copyright 2012 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press. Edited November 28, 2012 by Vin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
housemd 338 Posted November 24, 2012 23 31 Brandon Marshall (shoulder) was upgraded to full participation in Friday's practice, and is listed as probable for Week 12. Marshall is ready to roll against the Vikings, and with Jay Cutler expected to return, he's locked-in as a high-end WR1. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted November 24, 2012 CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reports that Jay Cutler has passed all of his concussion testing and will start on Sunday against the Vikings. La Canfora reported on Thursday, after Cutler put in a limited practice, that he was expected to start, but the quarterback still had to be cleared by an independent neurologist. Jason Campbell, mercifully, will be relegated back to No. 2 duties. Cutler is no more than a QB2 for fantasy purposes, but he is one of the more undervalued players in the league. His return bodes well for the entire offense's outlook. Source: Jason La Canfora on Twitter Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted November 25, 2012 Cutler is back? Game over Vikings. 30 20 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WindyCitySports 407 Posted November 25, 2012 I am a little bit nervous about this one, especially after the way the Bears played on Monday. I foresee a close one. 21 17 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bay 2,003 Posted November 25, 2012 (edited) Expect the Bears to bounce back but AP will get his yards but like the Seahawk game it will not be enough. 14 23 Edited November 25, 2012 by BayAreaBomber Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SteVo+ 3,702 Posted November 25, 2012 Chicago rebounds from their worst performance of the year and wins a tough divisional game. 24 13 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllYouNeedIsLovie 377 Posted November 25, 2012 Cutler will be playing and the game is in Chicago. I like the Bears in this one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted November 25, 2012 Vikings declared WR Percy Harvin, QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson, CB Brandon Burton, LB Audie Cole, OL Mark Asper, TE Allen Reisner, and DE DeAundre Reed inactive for Week 12 against the Bears. Harvin will be replaced by rookie Jarius Wright at slot receiver, although Kyle Rudolph may be the biggest beneficiary in the box score. Jay Cutler is active and in the starting lineup for Sunday's Week 12 game against the Vikings. Cutler received medical clearance from an independent neurologist on Saturday. The Bears' Week 12 inactives are WR Alshon Jeffery, QB Josh McCown, WR Dane Sanzenbacher, OT James Brown, DT Matt Toeaina, DT Amobi Okoye, and DE Cheta Ozougwu. Cutler isn't much of a standalone fantasy option, beyond two-quarterback leagues, but his return bodes well for Brandon Marshall and Matt Forte. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
housemd 338 Posted November 25, 2012 Peanut recovered AP's fumble. Vikings shouldn't go his way. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
housemd 338 Posted November 25, 2012 Golden Robbie makes it 10-3 Bears. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllYouNeedIsLovie 377 Posted November 25, 2012 Wow, refs just made a garbage call. They called DPI on Winfield when he had perfect coverage on Marshall. Ball was put at the 1 and then the Bears pounded it in. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
housemd 338 Posted November 25, 2012 Conte intercepted Ponder. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OSUViking 505 Posted November 25, 2012 Not one to bash on refs, but come on. An awful pass interference call and then a roughing the passer call when he hit him immediately after he passed it? Come on... ALso, give the fucking ball to AP. Ponder won't win this game for us if we don't have Harvin. AP ONLY HAS 7 CARRIES GIVE HIM THE DAMN BALL. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
housemd 338 Posted November 25, 2012 Charles Tillman is out for the second half. He's having some ankle problems. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bay 2,003 Posted November 25, 2012 Guess Zak Bowman is taking his place? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
housemd 338 Posted November 25, 2012 TD Kyle Rudolph! He was wide open,a baby could have hit him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
housemd 338 Posted November 25, 2012 Forte fumbled,Vikes recovered and returned it for a TD. 25-17 Bears. They will review the play again even though they confirmed the ruling on the field. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
housemd 338 Posted November 25, 2012 It's not a TD. lolrefs Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OSUViking 505 Posted November 25, 2012 Fucking FOX turned to the ATL game. Was he legitimately down? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
housemd 338 Posted November 25, 2012 Fucking FOX turned to the ATL game. Was he legitimately down? His knees had hit the ground before he fumbled. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OSUViking 505 Posted November 25, 2012 Vikings in the Red Zone: - Christian Ponder INCOMPLETE - Adrian Peterson EIGHT YARD RUN - Viking Logic? LET'S GO BACK TO PONDER SO HE CAN THROW ANOTHER INCOMPLETE PASS! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OSUViking 505 Posted November 25, 2012 AND THEN THEY GO BACK TO FUCKING PONDER ON FOURTH DOWN FOR FOURTH AND FUCKING 2 JESUS CHRIST OUR PLAYCALLING IS FUCKING SHIT. /rant Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OSUViking 505 Posted November 25, 2012 Just get AP 100 yards... this game was lost when we decided that Ponder was our ticket to coming back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted November 25, 2012 Disappointed by this game... Wanted Minnesota to even it up with Chicago and let them fight with each other while the Packers take the division lead. Unfortunately... Bears opened a can of whoop ass. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
