Keys to the Game
Vikings
- Disrupt Caleb Williams
Minnesota’s main key to victory this Monday night is to wreak havoc around Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. When these teams faced back in Week 12, Williams was able to put together possibly the best game of his young career. He threw 2 touchdown passes on 340 yards and managed zero turnovers against the studly Brian Flores-led defense. Williams led Chicago to an improbable comeback and nearly completed a massive upset.
If you’re the Vikings, your focus should be on putting an immense amount of pressure on Caleb. Minnesota’s run defense is elite, and Chicago hasn’t been able to create much on the ground recently. The only way for the Bears to stay in the game is through Williams and his receivers. Luckily for the Vikings, the Bears had taken the most sacks in the NFL heading into this week. With LT Braxton Jones ruled out for this week’s game, things will only get uglier. In addition to Chicago’s ineptitude at protecting its young franchise quarterback, Minnesota’s pass rush has put up numbers this year. It ranks 2nd in pressure percentage and 6th in total sacks (on Monday morning, despite having played 1 less game than the rest of the league).
Bears
- Limit Darnold and Vikings Dangerous Passing Attack
For the Bears to have any sort of chance in this matchup, they need to find a way to slow down the streaking Vikings passing game. Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold is playing at the highest level he has all season. Coming off of a 42 point explosion against the Falcons last week, Darnold has thrown 11 touchdowns and 0 interceptions in his past 4 games. Just last week he posted a whopping 5 touchdowns and 347 passing yards. His receivers are reaping the benefits. Second-year WR Jordan Addison reeled in 3 touchdowns last week. Addison racked up 162 receiving yards in Chicago and Minnesota’s first meeting, and has been on a tear since then. If the Bears don’t address this, Monday could be a long day.
Statistically, Chicago is strong against the pass. However, the entire defense looked horrific last week in its first contest since the firing of head coach Matt Eberflus- who called plays on defense. 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy had a field day and was able to throw for 325 yards and 2 touchdowns. Darnold is in line to keep his hot-streak alive.