Vikings' Favre plays it safer
Even when Brett Favre was quarterbacking the Packers to an 18-2 record against the Bears from 1994-2003, and especially when the Bears turned the tables and beat Favre and the Packers in six of eight games from 2004-07, the defense always could count on interception opportunities.
Favre rarely has played it safe, and sometimes his gambling ways would result in turnovers. He's still the same player, but he has been intercepted only three times this season.
"He's a guy that has a lot of confidence in his arm," Bears defensive end Adewale Ogunleye said. "He's going to try to squeeze the ball in to his receivers.
"I think the difference you're seeing this year is the receivers for Minnesota are doing a tremendous job of attacking the ball and getting there before the DBs do.
"He's throwing the same passes that he always has; it's just this year the receivers are being really, really aggressive with his passes."
Ogunleye has just a half-sack in the past six games after getting 41/2 in the first four. He never has sacked Favre, and he'd like to end both droughts Sunday.
"I'm hoping," Ogunleye said, "but right now I would trade all the sacks for a win. That's all that counts right now; the biggest thing for me is to get some wins."
Worthy adversaries: Defensive end Alex Brown admits, grudgingly, that the 9-1 Vikings may have the makings of a championship team.
"They've got a good defense," Brown said. "The best running back in the league in Adrian Peterson. You have a (darn) good quarterback, and you've got receivers who can make plays.
"You can stop the run, you can rush the passer. If you can name off all that stuff when you start off the season, yeah, you've got a pretty good shot."
Long way to go: Jay Cutler's not sure if he still will be playing when he's as old as 40-year-old Vikings quarterback Brett Favre.
"It's hard to play that long," Cutler said. "And it's a level that he's played at. That's what makes him so special. If I can still do it, I probably will. If not, you've got to know when it's time to hang it up. Clearly for Brett, he's still got so much in the tank.
"He's one of the best that's ever played, clearly. It's a testament to how hard he's worked throughout his career. It's fun to watch. It's good for the game."
Injury update: Tight end Desmond Clark (neck) did not practice Thursday after going through a limited practice Wednesday and is questionable for Sunday's game.
Guard Robert Garza (ankle) was able to practice on a limited basis after sitting out Wednesday. He is expected to play Sunday.
Defensive tackle Tommie Harris (knee), safety Kevin Payne (back) and tight end Kellen Davis (ankle) returned to full participation after being limited Wednesday.