The season began with high expectations born of a roster loaded with talent. Now they have five games remaining to put an uneven season behind them.

This is a team still trying to prove it belongs among the NFL's elite. At 6-5, the Vikings' record speaks to the team's inconsistency.

Coach Brad Childress and his players are optimistic they will emerge from a three-team race for the NFC North and make the playoffs. With Chicago coming to the Metrodome on Sunday night, the Vikings will play a big role in sorting out the division hierarchy.

"It's a great win, but I still feel that we need to have that sense of urgency," said defensive tackle Kevin Williams after the Vikings' 30-12 victory Sunday at Jacksonville. "If we're talking about being a playoff team around here, we've got five games to prove that. Everybody needs to buy in and get on the same page. We can't have any slipups, because one loss in the rest of these games might knock us out of the playoffs with how well the NFC is doing right now."

The Bears game looms as one of the most important in Childress' three-year tenure with the Vikings, although he's not sure he sees it that way.

"I don't know," he said. "I think I've been asked that about six times in six different games this year, must-win and biggest as a head coach. It's big from the standpoint that it's a divisional rivalry, and they've beaten us once already."

The Bears can claim the season series, and a playoff tiebreaker over Minnesota, with another victory.

This game is critical.

Here's a closer look at the Packers, Bears and Vikings and how they rank in their drive to win the division:

CHICAGO Bears (6-5)

Last division title: 2006

Why they'll win it: The Bears' defense might have regained its identity against St. Louis, playing physical Football and making big plays. Lance Briggs had two interceptions and broke up three other passes. The Bears had five sacks against the Rams.

Quarterback Kyle Orton continues to make smart decisions with the Football. He has thrown 185 consecutive passes without an interception, a franchise record.

"I played with Orton two years in college," Vikings defensive end Ray Edwards said. "I know exactly his playmaking ability. He's a great quarterback, a smart quarterback and can make the deep throw if it's there. His decision-making is definitely where it needs to be. Just like with any quarterback, if you give him time back there to pat the ball and look for open receivers, they're going to find him. We've just got to go out there and not let that happen."

Rookie running back Matt Forte has been a nice complement to Orton this season. Forte had 132 rushing yards Sunday and scored two touchdowns.

Why they won't: If Orton doesn't stay healthy, the Bears will be in big trouble relying on Rex Grossman. Orton came back from an ankle injury after missing one game and has avoided interceptions in the past two games since then. But his statistics are down, passing for fewer than 150 yards each game. If he's not the same player he was earlier this season, the Bears are in jeopardy of losing Sunday night at Minnesota and missing the playoffs.

The injuries suffered by Chicago's defense earlier this season could cause concern. Cornerback Nathan Vasher was injured again against St. Louis, and safety Mike Brown suffered a lower leg injury. The secondary has to be consistent, play well and stay healthy after overcoming a series of injuries earlier this season.

Final five opponents: at Minnesota (6-5), Jacksonville (4-7), New Orleans (6-5), Green Bay (5-6), at Houston (4-7)

GREEN BAY Packers (5-6)

Last division title: 2007

Why they'll win it: The three-team race for the NFC North title could come down to quarterback play, and the Packers have the best quarterback in the division.

Aaron Rodgers is better than Orton. Although Rodgers struggled in Monday night's 51-29 loss to New Orleans, throwing three interceptions, his passer rating entering the game ranked among the NFL's leaders. The Packers began Monday ranked fourth in the NFL in scoring, averaging 27.4 points a game.

Rodgers led the Packers to a 37-3 victory over Chicago in Week 11. He is more dangerous than Orton or Minnesota's Gus Frerotte.

"He's the most talented of the bunch," said Larry McCarren, the former Packer turned team radio analyst. "He doesn't make careless mistakes. He takes care of the Football. He has been a good leader."

The Packers have one of the best secondaries in the NFL with Charles Woodson, Al Harris and Atari Bigby leading the way. They were allowing only 176.3 yards passing before they were picked apart by New Orleans' Drew Brees, who passed for 323 yards and four touchdowns.

Why they won't: The Packers can't stop the run. Teams that can't defend the run have a hard time making the playoffs.

The Packers still have games remaining against Carolina, Jacksonville and Chicago, which all have dangerous running games.

Minnesota's Adrian Peterson ran all over the Packers two weeks ago, rushing for 192 yards and the game-winning touchdown.

Running back Ryan Grant got off to a slow start this season because of a contract squabble in training camp and then a hamstring injury. If he can't run the ball well down the stretch, it could put too much pressure on Rodgers.

Final five opponents: Carolina (8-3), Houston (4-7), at Jacksonville (4-7), at Chicago (6-5), Detroit (0-11)

MINNESOTA Vikings (6-5)

Last division title: 2000

Why they'll win it: The Vikings' defense has carried them most of the season, and that's going to have to be the case down the stretch. If the Vikings can rattle Orton on Sunday and stuff Forte on the ground, they could earn an important victory against the Bears.

The Vikings have so much talent on defense -- Kevin Williams, Antoine Winfield, Jared Allen, to name a few -- they can't possibly miss the playoffs this season, can they?

Add Adrian Peterson, perhaps the best running back in the NFL, to the mix running the ball and the Vikings have reasons to be optimistic.

"We have all the tools on this team," tight end Visanthe Shiancoe said.

The Vikings have won three of their past four games and have momentum heading down the stretch. Minnesota could be peaking at the right time. Confidence is a big factor.

"We feel like any Sunday we have an opportunity to win and play at a high level," receiver Bobby Wade said.

The Vikings can run the ball, and they can stop the run. And more often than not in Football, that's enough to push teams over the top.

Why they won't: Their schedule is the most difficult of the three. Arizona on the road? Atlanta and then the Giants to end the season? Yikes.

The special teams have played better of late, but it seems like there's a mistake waiting to happen at any given moment with those units.

If that isn't enough to get in the way, quarterback Frerotte has to regain the form he showed earlier this season. The Vikings are winning games lately despite his play.

"A lot of people make mistakes, but he makes huge plays," Shiancoe said. "We just need other guys to step it up too. We can't put it all on him. Whenever an interception happens or anything like that, I blame us as a whole offense."

Final five opponents: Chicago (6-5), at Detroit (0-11), at Arizona (7-4), Atlanta (7-4), New York Giants (10-1)