Vikings vs. Bears: 5 things you can count on
The Minnesota Vikings will play their third prime-time game of the year and a second straight when they host the Chicago Bears on Monday night. The NFC North matchup is always unpredictable, but here are five things you can count on when the the Vikes and Bears go to battle.
1. One more week for Justin Jefferson
Jefferson is listed as questionable on the Vikings' final injury report but all signs are pointing toward the team resting the star receiver through the bye as he recovers from a hamstring injury.
Jefferson has yet to log a full practice as he continues to work through his 21-day practice window to be activated from injured reserve. He told reporters on Thursday that he's still not 100 percent from the injury suffered against the Kansas City Chiefs on Oct. 8.
“It’s definitely not something I want to do but it just comes with the game,” Jefferson told reporters, including Purple Insider's Matthew Coller, on Friday. “It comes with trying to be healthy, trying to be 100% and taking the safe route.”
The Vikings could err on the side of caution and give him an extra week to recover before a Dec. 10 matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders.
2. Another big Monday night performance from Jordan Addison
With Jefferson potentially out of the lineup, it could mean another big Monday night performance by Addison.
Addison carved up the San Francisco 49ers with seven catches, 123 yards and two touchdowns in a win on Oct. 23, but he has the chance to do even more damage against a banged-up Chicago secondary.
Bears rookie Tyrique Stevenson is listed as questionable with an ankle injury and even if he does play he's currently leading the NFL with seven touchdown passes allowed this season.
With Stevenson or ex-Gopher Terell Smith likely to draw this assignment, this could be another big game for Addison, who can continue to ascend while the Vikings wait for Jefferson to make his return.
3. A step back for the Vikings running game
The Vikings' running game had its best game of the season with 175 rushing yards against the Broncos, but there's a good chance it will take a step back against the Bears defense.
Chicago ranks first in the league with 3.4 yards per carry allowed and fifth in the league with 19.12 expected points added against the run.
While Josh Dobbs has helped the Vikings ground game with his dual-threat ability, there are still issues. Alexander Mattison's fumble flipped last week's game on its head and Ty Chandler's issues in pass protection negate his knack for generating explosive plays.
This could be another tough night that sends Kevin O'Connell back to the drawing board.
4. Josh Dobbs having to deal with pressure
The Vikings' offensive line has improved dramatically this season but it still can't account for the times that Dobbs has had to deal with pressure.
Dobbs was pressured on 44.7 percent of his dropbacks against the Broncos and didn't fare well, posting a 41.1 passer rating on 17 pressured dropbacks. Meanwhile, the Bears pressured Jared Goff on 36.8 percent of his dropbacks while forcing three interceptions in their loss to the Detroit Lions last week.
Dobbs told reporters that he needs to do a better job of shifting protection as he continues to learn the offense. But he also needs to do a better job of dealing with pressure when it arrives. With the Bears showing signs of life, Dobbs needs to be prepared or risk making the same mistakes that cost the Vikings in Denver.
5. The Vikings picking up a hard-fought win
Chicago is the laughing stock of the NFL but they're capable of pulling off an upset. The Bears gave the Lions a run for their money before blowing a double-digit lead in the final minutes last week and made things difficult for the Vikings in their 19-13 victory on Oct. 15.
That being said, the Vikings are the better team and playing in front of a home crowd at U.S. Bank Stadium should be enough to get a win.
