Minnesota heads to Chicago as the Bears are in position to sweep this bitter rivalry for the first time since 1995.

Five weeks ago at the Metrodome (Week 5), Bears QB Shane Matthews threw for 184 yards and a pair of touchdowns and the Chicago defense forced five turnovers and scored (LB Sean Harris recovered a Vikings' fumble in the end zone) as Dick Jauron's club stunned the Vikings, 24-22.

Despite this year's loss, the vikings still own a 41-34-2 overall advantage in this bitter rivalry (one of those losses a 35-18 setback at the Metrodome in the 1994 NFC First Round Playoffs) and has dominated as of late, prevailing in 11 of the last 16 overall battles dating back to head coach Dennis Green's arrival in the Twin Cities in 1992.

As for the Vikings' last appearance at Soldier Field (Week 4 of '98), Chicago jumped out to a 21-10 halftime lead thanks to three touchdown passes from since-departed QB Erik Kramer, however Vikings' QB Randall Cunningham would finish the afternoon with 275 yards and four scores--3 of those TD passes following intermission--as Minnesota rallied for a 31-28 triumph.

Minnesota has prevailed in its last three trips to Soldier Field, and are 6-1 in their last 7 visits to the Windy City dating back to 1992.

Numbers: The Vikings are 11-5 vs. Chicago under head coach Dennis Green (including playoffs), recording 35 sacks and forcing 31 turnovers (20 interceptions, 11 fumble recoveries)--returning 8 of those takeaways (6 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries) for touchdowns. In 22 career games vs. Chicago (including playoffs), Vikings WR Cris Carter has caught 121 passes for 1,304 yards but just six touchdowns. Carter has scored at least one touchdown in four straight games and 30 of his last 46 regular-season contests dating back to '96. The Vikings have allowed seven sacks and committed just five turnovers in five wins, while committing 15 turnovers and allowing 17 sacks in four losses in '99. They have 12 takeaways in five wins, two takeaways in four losses in '99... Since 1996, Vikings have 92 takeaways in 38 wins, 18 takeaways in 19 losses in 56 regular-season contests. The Vikings have forced two or more turnovers in three straight games. QB Jeff George has thrown two or more touchdown passes in four straight games.

In 1995, since-departed Bears QB Erik Kramer (9-7) threw a team-record 29 touchdown passes, just 10 interceptions and was sacked only 15 times--the only quarterback in the NFL to take every snap from center that season. In their last 57 games (1996-98), eight Bears quarterbacks have seen action (Shane Matthews, Cade McNown and Jim Miller, as well as since-departed Dave Krieg, Steve Stenstrom, Rick Mirer, Moses Moreno and Kramer), amassing an 19-38 record, throwing 59 TD passes, 67 interceptions while being sacked 116 times. Bears quarterbacks have thrown two or more interceptions in four straight games. Including playoffs (88 games), the Bears have allowed 533 points in 38 wins (14.0 PPG), 1,464 points in 53 losses (27.6 PPG) the last 6 seasons (1994-99). They have forced 19 turnovers in nine games in '99, this after totaling just 28 takeaways in 16 games in '98. Chicago has totaled 25 sacks in nine games in '99, this after finishing tied for last in the NFL in sacks (28) in 16 games in '98. In his last five games, WR Marcus Robinson has totaled 30 receptions for 533 yards (17.8 avg.) and four touchdowns, totaling 100 or more yards receiving in two of those contests. They have committed two or more turnovers in four straight games.

Things to look for: After doing their imitation of the Keystone Kops in the first half of Monday night's tilt vs. the Cowboys, Dennis Green's team finally settled down and took control of the contest thanks to their talented wide receiving corps. The savvy Bears have surprisingly kept their heads above water thanks to their hustle, but they'll be hard-pressed to keep pace with a Minnesota team that's starting to hit its stride.

Etc.: Bears QB Jim Miller makes just his second professional start and his first since Week 1 of 1996, when he opened for the Steelers at Jacksonville, a 24-9 loss.

The Vikings have won three straight games. They are 37-25 vs. NFC Central rivals (including playoffs) since '92 (under head coach Dennis Green) after going 6-10 vs. divisional competition from 1990-91, however, Minnesota is just 20-20 (including playoffs) in its last 40 contests vs. NFC Central rivals dating back to 1994. WR Cris Carter (889) needs 11 catches to become just the 4th player in NFL history with 900 career receptions. Carter (108) needs one touchdown to tie Barry Sanders (109) for 8th place on the NFL's all-time touchdowns scored list.