Vikings vs. Bears 2012: Game preview, kickoff time, TV schedule and more

By late Sunday night, the Minnesota Vikings (6-4) could find themselves tied for first place in the NFC North. That would involve the New York Giants defeating the Green Bay Packers (7-3), but the first step happens if the Vikings rumble into Soldier Field and defeat the Chicago Bears (7-4). That looks eminently more possible than it might have a few weeks ago, as the Vikings enter coming off a bye week while the Bears are still not sure who will be under center for them.

Bears star quarterback Jay Cutler missed last week's loss to the San Francisco 49ers after suffering a concussion in the previous week's loss to the Houston Texans, but he's practiced this week and still may play on Sunday. His backup Jason Campbell has been decidedly ineffective in the 1.5 games that he's played as the first team quarterback, but those snaps have come against two of the league's best defenses in the Texans and Niners.

The Vikings, meanwhile, will be on embarking on a three-game stretch that sees them playing the Bears twice and the Packers once. It goes without saying that the run will go a long way to determining who will win the NFC North, and Minnesota can put themselves in good position with a win over Chicago on Sunday.

Kick-off is at 12 p.m. CT on FOX.