MNF Recap: Bears at Vikings

The weekly recaps are written by former Stanford kicker Derek Belch.

Bears 40
Vikings 14

Bears Dominate

If you started a Chicago Bear last night, there was a pretty good chance you got a performance that helped contribute to a fantasy victory, as nearly every relevant Bear did something noteworthy. Let’s start with Jay Cutler, who I’ve been openly critical of in my three years of fantasy writing for this website. While Cutler still isn’t a quarterback I’d pick when assembling a franchise, I have to give him credit for bouncing back after a miserable day last weekend against New England. Monday night against Minnesota, Cutler battled brutal weather conditions again, but this time was decisive and relatively accurate, completing 14 of 24 passes for 194 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. Even with last weekend’s no touchdown, two interception game, Cutler has thrown eight touchdowns to only three interceptions in his past four games. While it would be easy to dismiss Cutler’s chances next week against the Jets and in week 17 against Green Bay, he’s certainly playing well enough to do some damage against both of those defenses, no matter how good they are.

While Cutler certainly played well last night, it was Devin Hester who truly stole the show, posting monumental numbers in the process. Hester, in addition to catching two passes for 23 yards and a touchdown, totaled 143 return yards and scored an NFL-record 14th return touchdown of his young career. What’s funny is that Minnesota punter Chris Kluwe actually did a good job of kicking away from Hester on every other kick of the night. Unfortunately, all it takes is one. Just ask the New York Giants.

But fantasy isn’t just about offensive numbers, and last night the Bears defense was just as good as any offensive player this weekend. Despite giving up two touchdowns, the Bears intercepted Brett Favre and Joe Webb (more on them later) three times, recorded four sacks, recovered a fumble, and paved the way for the Hester touchdown on special teams. It was a truly dominant performance, and one that could easily repeat next week against the struggling Jets offense.

The Future of Minnesota?

All of those Brett Favre haters who have been calling for the Vikings to yank him all season have had a good chance these last two weeks to see what life would be like without Favre under center in Minnesota. And it isn’t good. Despite brutal weather conditions, a lost season, and a severe shoulder/hand injury, Favre suited up last night and began a new consecutive start streak. Even if you hate Favre, you have to hand it to the guy. He had nothing to play for last night, his start-streak was over, and he still strapped it up. He loves the game and is one tough dude. It’s that simple. But we knew this, and the few fantasy owners who were crazy enough to play him were rewarded with 63 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception before Favre was forced to leave with a head injury.

And then in came Joe Webb. In case you were wondering, Webb was the starting quarterback for the UAB Blazers last season, and was drafted by Minnesota as a wide receiver until they saw him throw in training camp and moved him back to QB. With little to no practice reps all season until this week and just about an impossible spot to come in and succeed, Webb’s performance was somewhat respectable. He completed 15 of 26 for 129 yards and two interceptions, and also ran for 38 yards and a touchdown. Unfortunately, the play-calling was far too conservative for Webb to get any idea of what he can do moving forward as a passer. We know he can run at least, so that’s good. All of those sneaky owners who played Webb at receiver this week were (unfortunately, because that’s terrible) rwarded.

Last night also offered the Vikings a glimpse of what life is like without Adrian Peterson, although his backup performed far better than Brett Favre’s did. Rookie running back Toby Gerhart carried 16 times for 77 yards (4.8 yards per carry average) and caught three passes for 18 yards against a tough Chicago defense that hasn’t yielded much to opposing running backs this season. Gerhart did lose a fumble, but overall I thought he looked pretty good. He plowed into the line standing straight up a few times, but the majority of his runs finished with him moving forward, and he even showed some tackle-breaking-flashes that he was so well known for in college. If Peterson is to miss next week’s game as well, you certainly could do worse than Gerhart as a starting running back. Not what you want to hear heading into Championship Sunday, I know, but hey it’s a desperation play.

Quick Hits

Devin Hester may have been the Bear receiver to steal the show last night, but most of that was due to special teams. Among the Chicago receivers who posted solid numbers as pass-catchers, Johnny Knox led the way, hauling in only two passes, but for 78 yards and a score. Although there was a period this season where Knox was looking like he could be trusted as Cutler’s top target, he hasn’t topped three catches in his past four games... The Bears running game also looked good Monday, as starting running back Matt Forte was able to rack up 92 yards on 17 carries, while also catching one pass for six yards. It’s a shame that Forte loses so many touches to Chester Taylor (11 carries for five yards last night), or else he could be having a top-five fantasy season; the Bears offensive line has really improved as the season has gone on… Percy Harvin returned to the lineup last night after missing two games due to migraine issues, and he didn’t disappoint, catching five passes for 72 yards and a touchdown. I don’t see Harvin doing much next week if Webb is under center, however, as his touchdown came on the game’s first drive when Brett Favre was still in the game. Additionally, if your league rewards return yards, Harvin didn’t return kicks last night for the first time this season (when healthy), which certainly doesn’t help his value.