2012 NFL schedule: Vikings host Bears in critical matchup

The Minnesota Vikings play an important divisional game on Sunday as they welcome NFC North rival Chicago Bears into the Mall of America Field. The game starts at 1 p.m. ET, with coverage on FOX.

This game is extremely important for the Vikings, as they are two games behind the Bears and the Green Bay Packers in the NFC North as well as one-game behind the Seattle Seahawks for the last wild card spot. The Washington Redskins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Dallas Cowboys are all 6-6 on the year as well, and all three currently hold tiebreakers over the Vikings. A loss on Sunday would seriously cripple the Vikings chances for the playoffs.

The other two NFC North teams square off on Sunday as well, as the Packers host the Detroit Lions. Kick-off is at 8:20 p.m ET, with NBC televising the game.

The most talked about game this week should come on Monday, as two of the top asthe New England Patriots will play host to the Houston Texans in a potential AFC Championship game matchup. The game starts at 8:30 p.m ET, with coverage on ESPN.

For the full schedule of NFL games, please click here.