Wow...just wow.  I swear, my breath has just returned to me about a half hour since the Monday nighter between the Vikings and Bears.  This game had me hyperventilating from start to finish.  Chicago came to play on defense tonight on the national stage, and they lost an ugly game.  More importantly, the Vikings won an ugly game, overcoming three interceptions thrown by Tavaris Jackson, who proved to us that he is still a young QB who is still learning the game.  It is this reason that makes me think we'll either lose to Washington and Denver or lose in the playoffs.  But I'm willing to ride the roller coaster out, what a ride it's been.  Brooks Bollinger had two snaps in the game, and those two snaps happened to be a handoff to Adrian Peterson when he went for his second touchdown, and a two point conversion, which he made by diving into the endzone.  We all (my family) went wild when Darren Sharper picked off Kyle Orton and sealed the game.

Now, let's talk about what made this game so ugly.  First of all, Tavaris Jackson had his first bad game since Detroit, tossing 3 interceptions of which one set up a field goal, and one a touchdown.  At that point, Chicago led 13-3.  He had a good game otherwise, throwing for 249 yards.  Adrian Peterson didn't exactly light up the Dome, but he scored two touchdowns, the second which put the Vikings up for good at 20-13.  Neither team really got their offense going.  Well, the Vikes looked decent besides the four turnovers, which will cost us a win against Washington if we do it again in that game. 

Now let's talk about why this game was so good.  It was definitely dramatic, with the Chicago defense coming out to play for real on Monday Night Football.  Tavaris Jackson had never played in primetime before, and it showed.  The Bears have to be commended, because if not for their offense, or lack thereof, they could have taken this game and shocked the Dome.  A big play for the Vikings got them down to the goal line when Robert Ferguson busted loose for 71.  That got the Vikings going, and the defense shut Chicago's offense down long enough for the kill shot to occur with AD's touchdown.  You have to commend the Vikings' defense for coming up with the biggest plays at the right time.  Sharper's pick to end it was just the icing on the cake.  I am in freaking love with this big play defense.  8-6, still in wild card contention, we control our destiny, and I am elated.  Skol Vikings!  Vikes/Skins preview this Saturday. 

The Vikings played the Redskins in the very first regular season Monday Night Football game after the move to ESPN last season.  On Monday Night Dec. 17, they will play the Chicago Bears in a Northern Division Collision that is looking ever more intriguing now that it appears third string QB Kyle Orton will be the starter for the Bears.  The Dome is bound to be filled with screaming fans, and I'm bound to be at home, wishing I'd bought a ticket for the game.  There hasn't been a late season Vikings game with this much impact since late 2005, when the Vikings lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Going into that game, the Vikings had won six in a row and were in the process of salvaging a season that started out with an opening day loss at home and a loss by rout at Cincinatti.  2-5 was the lowest point of that season...2-5 was also the lowest point of this season.  Or was it 3-6?  Either way, the Vikings have won 4 straight and will be gunning for a fifth against Chicago.  Let's flash back to the first encounter between these teams.  The Vikings had a monster day from Adrian Peterson at Soldier Field.  The Vikings built a 31-17 lead before Chicago found the endzone twice to tie it with some time left on the clock.  On the ensuing kickoff, Adrian Peterson returned it to the Bears' 37.  After three plays, Ryan Longwell made the longest field goal of his career to win 34-31.  If the Vikings want to keep the Bears in check, there's one simple thing to remember.  Don't kick to Devin Hester.  Punt the ball out of bounds, kick the ball away from him on kickoffs, don't give Hester a chance to make a play, because he scored two touchdowns, including the game tying score in that other game. 

I'm feeling a big game from Rookie of the year.  Adrian Peterson is going to put on another home performance to remember, and as long as Tavaris Jackson plays the way he has, the Vikes should be fine on offense.  All the defense has to do is get after Kyle Orton and make him make mistakes.  Nothing would be worse than if a third stringer came in the Dome and ruined the Vike's postseason plans.  The Vikes need to be ready for anything, because Chicago will have nothing to lose, except their pride.  All I have to say is here's to another Vikings win, and may the Return To Relevance tour continue.

Edit: If you didn't already know, the Vikings/Redskins game has been moved to next Sunday night.  Yes, the Vikes have two national TV games in a row.  So, I'll have my preview for that game up sometime next week...probably next Saturday.