Editor’s Note: AJ Kaufman’s weekly MNF coverage on MSF is sponsored by Sadler’s Smokehouse, a producer of premium pit smoked meats that are best described by Sadler’s slogan: Legendary since 1948.

Sadler’s premium meats are perfect for tailgating on Saturday, for grilling out at home on Sunday, or for when you are hosting a group of friends, or even just the family, on Monday night.

With a variety of delicious choices (beef, pork, ribs, turkey, brisket, and more) and availability at grocery stores throughout the U.S., Sadler’s meats are the tasty, convenient choice when you want to watch the big game and eat well while you’re doing it.

Check out Sadler’s Monday Night Football Recipe of the Week: Sadler’s Smokehouse Pulled Pork Stew

Visit the Sadler’s Smokehouse website: Sadler’s Smokehouse

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Monday Night Football Preview

Minnesota Vikings (11-3) at Chicago Bears (5-9)

• Vikings-Bears Date: Monday, December 28
• Vikings-Bears Kickoff Time: 8:30
• Vikings-Bears TV Network: ESPN
• Vikings-Bears Announcers: Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, and Jon Gruden
• Vikings-Bears Point Spread: Vikings -7
• Vikings-Bears Over-Under Odds: 41
• Vikings-Bears Spread Pick: Boy, this is a tough one. The Vikings are clearly the superior team based on their body of work this season, but the truth is that these two teams may actually be playing the worst football in the NFL over the last two weeks. That said, I don’t see the Bears winning this game, but I do think that they will play hard despite their season being over. It is one of the fiercest rivalries in the NFL, the Bears are at home, and it will no doubt be frigid. Brett Favre is not the cold weather QB that he once was. Vikings win, but Bears cover. Vikings-Bears free pick: Bears +7

Vikings-Bears Analysis

Much has been made about Jay Cutler’s abundant failure as Chicago’s starting quarterback this year.

Without belaboring the point, Culter is leading the league in interceptions, and believe it or not, has actually looked worse than he has played. Regardless, he is the Bears franchise signal-caller, for better or for worse, so Bears fans have to hope that he’s able to turn it around next year.

I think the real question mark with the Bears that they will have to address in the offseason is their running back and wide receiver situations.

Three years ago, Devin Hester became a household name for his penchant for returning kicks for scores and his ridiculous speed. The Bears figured (and rightfully so) that Hester’s speed and athleticism would be best served in a more intensive role than simply “return man.” And so began the process of converting Hester into a receiver.

Though he has shown steady improvement through the past three seasons (20 catches in 20007, 51 catches in 2008, 54 catches in 2009 (through 14 weeks), he is still a long’s way from being considered a number one caliber receiver. Hester has proven himself to be a lazy route runner and a number of Cutler’s picks this year have come as a consequence of Hester’s inadequate route running. Furthermore, Hester’s hands have been a constant issue this year, and I rarely ever see Hester make a difficult catch.

Ultimately, the Bears will have to decide if Hester is truly the answer at receiver for the Bears. It is worth noting that since Hester became a full time starting receiver (in ’08 and ’09) he maintained punt return duties. In these past two years, he has 384 punt return yards and 0 TDs. In 06 and 07, he had 1260 punt return yards and seven touchdowns. Is a number one receiver who can’t break the 1000 yards barrier really more valuable than a punt returner who constantly puts you in great field position and scores three to four touchdowns a year? I guess that’s for Bears management to decide.

Meanwhile at running back, the Bears seemed to have everything figured out with last year’s second round draft pick, Matt Forte.

In his rookie season, the Tulane University star put up monster numbers in both the rushing and the passing games, going for over 1700 combined yards. With the acquisition of Jay Cutler, the Bears brass fully expected Forte to join the elite class of runners this year and possibly threaten for a 2000 yard season (in combined rushing and passing yards). Instead, what has happened is that Forte has completely and utterly regressed.

Considering the Bears decent offensive line and Forte’s embarrasing 3.4 yards per carry, it is worth postulating that perhaps Forte was never that good to begin with. It appears that Forte lacks the explosion of a top tier NFL running back, and is far too tentative while trying to find a hole. Personally, I don’t think Forte is the answer as a starter in Chicago (of anywhere for that matter). His good hands and solid pass protection skills will render him an effective third down back for years to come, but as a starting RB, he leaves much to be desired.

With a strong finish, Brett Favre has a good chance of wrapping up league MVP and the Vikings will most likely enter the NFC playoffs as the second seed. It would thus appear that the Favre signing worked perfectly; it took Minnesota from the status of a perennially average franchise and in one offseason, exalted them to the top of the NFL standings.

But even success couldn’t prevent off the field drama that would even make the writers of some mindless NBC sitcom roll their eyes in embarrassment.

Apparently coach Brad Childress tried to remove Favre from last week’s game with the Vikings ahead 7-6 in the third quarter. While in reality, that decision might have paid off (given the final score) Childress should know that you don’t bench your future hall of fame quarterback when the game is still in the balance. Childress has to be especially careful here because owner, Zygi Wilf, has made it abundantly clear that he wants Favre back in a Vikings uniform next year, no matter what.

Much has been made out of this situation in media outlets this week but I personally expect it to be a non-issue for the remainder of the season. Furthermore, I just don’t believe that Childress will try to replace Favre in the middle of a close playoff game, but stranger things have happened.

Meanwhile, one of Favre’s primary receivers, Percy Harvin, has been the Vikings secret weapon on offense this season. Harvin, who is on pace for over 800 yards receiving and has eight total touchdowns (receiving and kick off return) has provided a major spark in the Vikings offense and has been one of the chief catalysts for their offensive transformation.

It should therefore be quite troubling to Vikings fans that Harvin has seen his season-long “migranes” escalate from a mere nuisance to a debilitating injury over the past 2 games. Harvin, who has apparently been getting migranes since high school, was forced to sit out Minnesota’s week 14 game against the Bengals and was a complete non-factor in Minnesota’s week 15 loss against Carolina. There is hope for Vikings fans however as Harvin visited the Mayo clinic this past week and received encouraging results.

Vikings-Bears Prediction

Vikings fans have to hope that Harvin’s migranes will no longer affect him come playoff time because Harvin is clearly a vital cog in the Vikings offense, and I’d venture to say that he is essential to the Vikings making a legitimate run at the Super Bowl.

Minnesota has looked awful their past two prime-time road performances. This will be different for so many reasons. The Bears are a bad football team right now, while the Vikes are in need of a couple wins prior to what they hope is a magical postseason. Take Minnesota all day/night.

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* – Brett Favre photo credit: damike91 at PhotoBucket

* – Jay Cutler photo credit: DrunkAthlete.com

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