The Minnesota Vikings said they could hardly believe the Bears’ defensive strategy Sunday night.
“I was very surprised that they kept those safeties back in `cover two’ [zone defense] the whole game,” Minnesota quarterback Daunte Culpepper said after completing 20-of-26 passes for 214 yards and two touchdowns. “I guess they were testing our patience … I don’t know. But that’s why we ran the ball so effectively.”
The Vikings combined to rush for 202 yards, including 108 by Moe Williams on 21 carries.
“We didn’t get the ball to Randy [Moss] as much as we wanted to, but we took what they gave us,” Culpepper said after the Vikings’ 24-13 victory in the Metrodome gave them a 2-0 record in the NFC North.
Moss caught four passes for 27 yards. Williams and Jim Kleinsasser each caught four passes as well.
“We were really surprised about that [defensive strategy],” added Viking D’Wayne Bates, the former Northwestern and Bears receiver who caught two passes for 18 yards. “We really ran the ball well in the first half. But I was definitely thinking they were going to bring the safety down and we were going to get some one-on-one coverage. But they never made that adjustment.”
Asked if the Bears tried to disguise any of their defensive coverages, Culpepper said: “They didn’t disguise anything. They just played hard [zone] the whole game. It surprised me, but I’m glad because we ran the ball very well.”
Onterrio Smith ran nine times for 47 yards (5.2 average); Culpepper rushed seven times for 17 yards; Kelly Campbell took a reverse 19 yards; and Moss went 11 yards on a reverse.
“As an offensive lineman, if they tell you we are going to run, you can’t ask for anything more. It’s on you,” said Vikings All-Pro center Matt Birk. “The Bears aren’t the first team to do that against us. We try to be multifaceted, and teams are going to try to take away Randy and the deep pass from us. That’s fine. Then we have to establish a running game.
“If you play on the offensive line, you’ve got to love it. That’s an offensive lineman’s dream.”
It also was a dream for Williams, who has stepped in as the first-string tailback with starter Michael Bennett sidelined for the season with an injury.
“Moe is the man–he’s a pro,” Vikings coach Mike Tice said.
