Don’t tell these guys that they’ll be playing to claim the No.1 spot in a division that’s likely to get it’s ass kicked in the postseason.

The NFC North. For a division that houses a 0-12 Lions team, a Packers franchise trying to reclaim its former glory without Favre and two teams tied on top with a win-loss mark BARELY above .500, the NFC North is probably the worst division we have in the 2008-09 NFL football season.

But still, a No.1 ranking is still a No.1 ranking and as far as the Vikings and the Bears are concerned, two teams currently tied at the top of the NFC North, leading their division is huge as they enter the final weeks of the football year. These two NFC rivals will collide on Sunday Night Football and whoever wins on Sunday night will have sole possession of the top spot.

That battle will be inside the Metrodome where the Minnesota Vikings welcome the visiting Chicago Bears. Led by Adrian Peterson, the Minnesota Vikings will have one of the league’s better running backs on their side. Since shocking the league in his rookie year last season, Peterson is back being a force in the Vikings offense the last few weeks after a somewhat slow start to the season.

The Bears defense know what Adrian Peterson can bring any given night. And since they take pride in stopping anybody on that field, they know they have to stop the run to earn themselves sole possession of the No.1 spot in the NFC North this Sunday night.

”He’s a monster,” Chicago Bears defensive end Alex Brown said of Peterson. ”He runs hard. His offensive line, I don’t think they get enough credit. They play really well and he runs off the blocks from them. They get play-action off of it. We’ve got to do our job. I believe that defense starts with the defensive line. If we can have a pretty good day, we should have a good chance to win.”

Good thing the Bears defense plays better indoors and since they will play under the roof of the Metrodome this Sunday night, you can’t blame them for being a little more confident than their hosts come game time.

In games in domes against the Colts, Lions, Falcons and Rams, the Bears are giving up an average of 94 fewer total yards than in the seven outdoor games. That’s 265 yards per game inside compared to 359 outside.

Of course, that won’t mean squat to a monster back like Adrian Peterson.

Can the Minnesota Vikings take top spot in the NFC North by beating the Chicago Bears? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

Minnesota Vikings -3 (1.80)

Chicago Bears +3 (2.05)

Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for more football betting odds. Want to watch the NFL live? Get NFL tickets online now.

Minnesota Vikings Chicago Bears