Editor: Joe Bryant. Game Recap Contributors: Mike Anderson, Michael Brown, Chris Burtt, J.D. Caldwell, David Dodds, Bobby Elder, Jim Enochs, Joel Faulhaber, Michael Flynn, Kevin Goldblum, Clayton Gray, Bob Harris, Fred Hebert, Jesse Hilsenrad, Drew Kendall, Jeff Lewis, Joey Matusek, Justin Oliver, Steve Prosapio, David Shick, Cody Smith, Scott Smith, Jeffrey Stout. Chicago 7 at Minnesota 25 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Chicago Bears: Once again, QB Chris Chandler started in place of the injured Jim Miller. Behind a makeshift offensive line which hardly resembles the dominant front that carried the Bears to the playoffs last year, Chandler was rushed and blitzed all day, and had no time to get the ball to the receivers. The Viking Defense had 5 sacks. Chandler was battered enough that Henry Burris eventually saw time at QB toward the end of the game. RB Anthony Thomas is a week closer to securing his place as "bust of the year." Thomas had another abysmal performance, with 21 total yards, and averaging a measly 2.0 ypc. Thomas is most effective when the Bears have the lead and control the clock, a position in which they rarely find themselves in anymore. WR Marcus Robinson is seeing an increased role in the passing game. Marty Booker is clearly the go to guy in the passing game but Dez White could be pushed by Robinson. Booker is well above both these guys though. TE's John Davis and Fred Baxter both did not play, and third-stringer did not catch a pass during the game. Baxter and Davis were missed from more of a blocking perspective, where Lyman has trouble reading the defenses thrown at him. As long as the offensive line continues to struggle, Coach Jauron said that the majority of the tight ends' responsibility in their offense will be to block, thus negating the already low fantasy value. Minnesota Vikings: While QB Daunte Culpepper's stats are not eye-popping, he's starting to come around. He is going down his list of reads effectively and seemed to run with more authority. He and WR Randy Moss connected 9 times during the day, and even more importantly talked to each other on the sideline the whole afternoon. Culpepper did fumble on the 1-yard line, going in for a score. WR Randy Moss did not press early on about getting the ball, and was rewarded as the Viking's attack became multi-dimensional. Culpepper completed passes to 7 different receivers, and after the Bears were spread out Moss took over the game. Moss also threw an incomplete pass and had a 2-yard rush. The Vikings used RB Michael Bennett as their primary running back. He accounted for 106 yards rushing on an amazing 29 carries (3.6 ypc.) He also caught 6 balls out of the backfield. The formations used when he was called on usually involved trips left or right and he would run to the weak side, where his speed could take control. Backup RB Moe Williams did get 3 goal line carries, however. WHAT YOU OUGHT TO KNOW Chicago Bears QB: Chris Chandler started once again in place of the oft-injured Jim Miller. Chandler didn't have time to display his accuracy because of a ferocious pass rush by the Vikings front. He was bruised and beaten by the end of the game, and third-string Henry Burris took over at the end of the game in his first NFL action. RB: Anthony Thomas continued his struggles with a pathetic 18-yard rushing day. He caught only 1 pass for 3 yards. When running the ball, he is not shooting through the holes fast enough. The Bears line does not have the time it needs to gel, and the season is close to getting out of hand for Chicago. The Bear defense isn't helping his opportunities. WR: Marty Booker was open all day, but QB Chris Chandler did not have the time to get the ball to the Bears' number one receiver. Booker finished with 4 catches for 80 yards and a touchdown, but didn't make his first grab until there was 9:47 left to go in the 3rd quarter. The rapport that he has with Jim Miller does not seem to be there with Chandler. The timing is just a little off. Dez White had his second straight solid outing. He caught 4 passes for 65 yards, but in the second half the passing attack featured Booker and Marcus Robinson. Chicago may be ready to push Robinson back into the starting role, because his ability to stretch the field should loosen up the defense for the run. Marcus Robinson made some nice plays in the second half of the game, and had a nice 27-yard grab called back due to a holding penalty. The Bears may be trying to get him more action in the coming weeks. If you have an open spot on your WR roster, you might want to snag him just in case. TE: 1st and 2nd string tight ends John Davis and Fred Baxter both did not play, and Dustin Lyman showed everyone why he is a 3rd string NFL tight end. With the numerous injuries to the offensive line, the TE position in Chicago has once again become just another blocker. Lyman had 0 targets. Rush Defense: After making James Stewart look like Barry Sanders last week, they continued the nostalgic trend by making Michael Bennett look like Robert Smith. Losing NT Ted Washington has taken a huge toll on this defense, because MLB Brian Urlacher has not been free to roam this year. Start your running backs against the Bears. Pass Defense: Short-handed once again with R.W. McQuarters out, the Bears secondary continued to give up the big play. The only reason that Culpepper only had 216 yards passing is because the rushing plays were so effective. The pass rush was weak and ineffective all day. Special Teams: Leon Johnson and Ahmad Merritt both averaged around 15 yards a return, but neither has been able to break one so far this year. Merritt has some explosiveness, if you remember from the Eagles playoff game last January. He is just coming back from an injury and could provide a spark. /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/** Minnesota Vikings QB: Daunte Culpepper showed the poise of a pocket quarterback, but also seemed to run with authority. He made correct reads, and spread the ball, hitting 7 different receivers. He and WR Randy Moss looked to be on the same page both on the field and on the sidelines. Culpepper did have a fumble on the 1-yard line; but on the bright side had 3 rushes inside the 2. He was a very efficient 22 of 29. RB: Michael Bennett is the latest running back to shred the Chicago Bears defense. He ran the ball 29 times for 106 yards, and also caught 6 balls for 30. The Vikings are getting him the ball more in the open field, where he can utilize his blazing speed. Moe Williams only rushed the ball 6 times for 9 yards, but 3 of the 6 rushes were goal line carries, one of which he punched in. Vulture. WR: Randy Moss has never gone 5 games without a TD, and made sure that wasn't a first today. He made some really tough catches, and did not complain when he wasn't used early. Maybe he's learned that the Vikings can spread the ball around, and he'll get his eventually. No drops today - a great sign. Most importantly, he seemed to have fun out there. D'Wayne Bates did not play in what would have been a revenge game for him, so the always underachieving Derrick Alexander started in his place. Bottom line: 1 catch, 9 yards (1 target.) Bates will be the starter when healthy. Chris Walsh was the 3rd receiver in the offense, but only saw 3 balls come his way, and he finished with just 1 reception for 13 yards. He did get a nice look in the end zone which he could not pull down. TE: Byron Chamberlain was Culpepper's third down savior, with 3 completions for 26 yards, all of which resulted in 1st downs. He did drop a pass that he might have been able to score on, but he did the infamous turn your head to see where you're going to run before you make sure that you caught the ball. Jimmy Kleinsasser's playing time mostly involves blocking, but he also helps Culpepper when in a pinch. He netted 1 catch for 7 yards. Sometimes goes in the backfield in goal line situations, but did not Sunday. Pass Defense: A unit that could be growing up fast, the Vikings put consistent pressure on Chandler all day, knocking him around time and time again. Corey Chavous did a great job of keeping Marty Booker in check, not letting him really produce until garbage time. Rush Defense: The Bears fell behind early, and had to abandon the run in the second half. Still, the front seven baffled the Bears offensive line to the point that success for Anthony Thomas was just getting back to the line of scrimmage. A great effort. Special Teams: Newly acquired K Hayden Epstein, used for his length on kickoffs, did not even get close to a touchback on four of his kicks. PK Gary Anderson looked great for a senior citizen on his 44-yd field goal, and also connected on two 24-yarders. The return teams constantly set up the Vikings offense in good field position.