Last meeting
The Bears defeated the Vikings 23-13 to clinch the NFC North crown last December, getting a 45-yard punt return from Devin Hester and a 54-yard interception return from Ricky Manning Jr.
Last week
Chicago scored a 27-20, come-from-behind victory Sunday night over Green Bay, avoiding a four-game division deficit to the Packers after five games. Instead, the Bears forced five turnovers, and Brian Griese tossed the game-winning touchdown pass with 2:05 left, getting Chicago within two games of the NFC North lead. ... The Vikings had a bye in Week 5.
At stake
The Vikings look to stop a three-game skid in which they have lost by a combined 13 points. Chicago, with its confidence-building win Sunday night, appears to be headed in the opposite direction.
Key matchup
Vikings secondary vs. Bears QB Griese.
Griese, who started to find his rhythm in the second half of the Packers game, faces a Vikings pass defense ranked 30th in the league. The Bears are looking to get rookie tight end Greg Olsen and all-purpose speedster Devin Hester more involved in the offense, which should open things up for Griese, who found success against Green Bay with play-action passes.
Did you know?
Vikings RB Adrian Peterson leads NFL rookies with 383 rushing yards and tops the NFC with 549 yards from scrimmage (383 rushing, 166 receiving). Peterson has 100-plus rushing yards in three of his first four career games and aims to become the first rookie to lead the NFC in rushing since Hall of Famer Barry Sanders in 1989. ... Chicago is 13-3 in its past 16 games at home, outscoring opponents, 362-206.
