LAKE FOREST, Ill. – It seems like a monumental task given the disparate paths the teams are on, but a victory over the Vikings Sunday in Minnesota would provide a major boost for the slumping Bears.

Danieal Manning and the Bears will battle Adrian Peterson and the Vikings Sunday in the Metrodome.

“We need a win, so I know what a win like that would do for our program right now,” said coach Lovie Smith, whose team has lost five of its last six games. “They’re defending [NFC North] champs. You go back to that, and they’re having an outstanding year.”

The Bears (4-6) trail the Vikings (9-1) by five games with six remaining. Chicago has lost six of its last seven contests in Minnesota, last winning in the Metrodome in 2006 when Rex Grossman rallied the Bears to a 19-16 victory with a late touchdown pass to Rashied Davis.

“It would lift us up a lot,” said defensive back Danieal Manning. “It definitely would prove what we’re talking about, how capable this team is and how good this team is.”

In their 35-9 victory last Sunday, the Vikings outrushed the Seahawks 160-4 and didn’t allow Seattle to advance past the 50 until Minnesota led 28-0. Brett Favre set a Vikings record by completing 88 percent of his passes (22 for 25) and threw touchdown passes to four different receivers.

“Brett Favre is having a great year, the receivers are, [Adrian] Peterson’s still the best player in the game,” Smith said. “Defensively, their front seems like they’re playing as good as they ever have. You could go across the board and talk about all of the good things they’ve done.”

On the other hand, the Bears have struggled mightily over the past month and a half, defeating only the hapless Browns (1-9) in a six-game stretch while seeing their playoff hopes virtually disappear.

“I feel like we’re a good football team,” said Smith, who has led the Bears to two division titles in six seasons. “Our record does not show that right now, but we’re a good football team. Eventually, we’re going to do some of those things that have prevented us from winning games. Why not this week?”

While the Bears need a miracle to make the playoffs, players aren't giving up.

“The day I lose hope is the day I need to retire,” said cornerback Charles Tillman. “I’m always hopeful. I think this team is always hopeful, and I think that’s how you’re supposed to be.

“When we are hopeful, we get criticized for not thinking negative. You hear about it in the media or read it in the paper, see it on TV. It’s kind of like [how] coach Smith gets criticized for  being so positive all the time. I think it’s great that he’s positive. I think that’s why he’s a good head coach. I’m positive. I’m optimistic about it.

“The only thing that we haven’t accomplished this season is going undefeated. There’s still a chance [of salvaging the season]. It’s a small chance, a small window, but there’s still a chance. Things do happen, miracles happen. I’ve seen  the incredible, the impossible happen before. It happens all the time. So there’s a chance.”

There’s little doubt that the Vikings are the best team the Bears will play this season. Minnesota has outscored its opponents by 113 points, the third highest margin in the NFL behind the Saints (165) and Patriots (126).

“They use every position,” Manning said. “Every phase of the game is going well for them. They’re at the top of every stat you can think about. The quarterback is doing good, the running back is doing great, the tight ends, the receivers, the o-line is blocking. Then you get to the d-line. They’re doing great. The secondary and linebackers are playing great, the special teams are doing a great job.

"I don’t really see any weak spots on this team. I know on our end we just have to play together and bring all those units in for one game, and this is the game we have to do it in.”