Battle for NFC Central Features Surging Bears, Slumping Vikings

MINNEAPOLIS —  The surging Chicago Bears visit the slumping Minnesota Vikings tonight in a fight for the NFC Central lead.

It has been a remarkable season for quarterback Steve Walsh and Chicago (8-4), the surprising Central Division leader.

Dismissed by many after losing to the Vikings, 42-14, in the third game with Erik Kramer at quarterback, the Bears have won seven of nine since then and four in a row. Walsh has been the starter in each victory.

The Vikings (7-5) will need a better performance from Warren Moon to rescue their playoff hopes. The 38-year-old quarterback carried the Vikings for two months, but has sagged during a three-game losing streak. He was intercepted four times by the Jets and was sacked five times in Sunday’s overtime loss to Tampa Bay.