Dhruv Koul shares his in-game reactions, thoughts and observations from the Vikings-Bears game at Soldier Field. Follow him on Twitter @DhruvKoul to continue the conversation.
CHICAGO — After claiming a big and necessary-for-their-psyche win earlier this week on Monday Night Football at FedEx Field, the Chicago Bears returned home to take on an improved Minnesota Vikings team at Soldier Field. Both teams were 2-1 coming in, and both teams were 0-1 in the division (with both teams losing to Green Bay).
However, the Bears’ loss happened at Soldier Field to kick off the season, whereas the Vikings lost in Green Bay in Week 2. A thread of thoughts leading up to this game:
The Bears’ biggest issue? Taylor Gabriel and Akiem Hicks were injured on Monday night with Bilal Nichols already out due to a hand injury. And then, Roquan Smith was downgraded to doubtful on Sunday due to personal reasons. To have that many injuries on defense before going against one of the best RBs in the league in Dalvin Cook? Yikes.
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The Bears needed this game to keep their NFC North title hopes alive. They couldn’t afford two home losses to start the year in the division. Not with Green Bay 2-0 in the division and the Vikings potentially 1-1 with all of their divisional home games still remaining.
In the end, the Bears absolutely dominated the Vikings on defense, destroying Kirk Cousins and Dalvin Cook without three defensive starters or their starting QB.
I shared my in-game reactions, thoughts and observations below. Follow me on Twitter @DhruvKoul to continue the conversation. Enjoy!
Thoughts and Observations
1. Dalvin Cook is one of the league’s best running backs and he has dominated the competition so far this season. For the Bears to be missing Bilal Nichols and Akiem Hicks AND Roquan Smith against this rushing attack? Absolutely hellish.
Nick Kwiatkoski should start at ILB in place of Smith, with Nick Williams taking over for Hicks and Roy Robertson-Harris continuing in place of Nichols. The Bears also have Abdullah Anderson and Jonathan Harris for DL depth.
Mitch Trubisky REALLY needs to step up and protect this defense today.
2. The Chicago Bears have lost their starting quarterback, likely for a while. Trubisky was injured chasing down a fumble on the Bears’ first drive. It looked significant, as he rolled up awkwardly on his left shoulder. Speculation is it could be a dislocated shoulder or a collarbone injury. He exited for the locker room shortly after spending some time in the medical tent.
Chase Daniel completed the Bears’ first drive adequately, throwing a 10 yard touchdown pass to Tarik Cohen. But make no mistake — the Bears’ offense, despite all of Trubisky’s struggles, is in trouble going forward.
UPDATE: Trubisky was ruled out for the rest of the game without even getting x-rays. Concerns are for a significant injury.
3. The Bears’ run defense has been outstanding so far today, thanks to Eddie Goldman and Danny Trevathan. Unfortunately, their discipline as a unit has been horrendous, as evidenced by Minnesota’s second drive. The Bears gave them free first downs on four different occasions, despite the Vikings showing no proof they could move the ball without help.
Luckily, Prince Amukamara recovered on Stefon Diggs when he was beaten on a slant to Peanut Punch the ball out. It was initially ruled incomplete, but replay reversed it. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix recovered. Big moment for the Bears.
4. Chase Daniel is really balling today in place of Trubisky. I expect the Vikings’ defense to adjust in the second half a little bit, but Daniel led the Bears on a drive to close the first half, resulting in a field goal. He made a couple very good third down conversions, AND a fourth down conversion.
He’s been close to getting sacked a couple times (Everson Griffen and Danielle Hunter are extremely good), but he’s gotten the ball out in time so far.
5. In the first half, Matt Nagy has coached a hell of a football game. He’s gotten easy throws for his backup quarterback and played mind games with Vikings’ coach Mike Zimmer. Let’s see how he counters the Vikings’ inevitable adjustments.
Meanwhile, on defense, the Bears have limited Minnesota to 59 yards of total offense, only 15 coming on the ground for Cook. They’ve executed brilliantly so far (minus the penalties). They have to continue this for 30 minutes more.
6. Well, Minnesota’s first drive to open the second half ended with a sack and strip from Khalil Mack. Unbelievable speed to beat the LT. Pineiro put through a FG on the ensuing drive to put the Bears up 13-0.
The Vikings punted on the ensuing drive, but the Bears caught a break as Kirk Cousins missed a wide open Dalvin Cook on the left sideline because he was already past him on his progressions. Bears dodged a bullet there.
7. Trubisky was shown on the sidelines with his arm in a sling. That likely signals it’s a multiple week injury (as we anticipated). Bears will need to really game plan well for Chase Daniel going forward. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bears brought in QBs to try out during after the game next week in London.
8. I have no words for Khalil Mack. Seriously. He beats any and all game plans. The Bears’ defense is playing outstanding, inspired football so far.
Chase Daniel led a nice drive following that Vikings’ punt that resulted in a field goal. Bears up 16-0 with three minutes left in the third quarter.
9. Through three quarters, I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a dominating performance on defense. I don’t even think the Bears bottled up the Rams last year as well as they have in this game. One quarter left, of course, but goodness.
Unheralded shout outs so far: Nick Kwiatkoski (surprise!), Nick Williams, Mack (of course), and Eddie Goldman.
10. Sherrick McManis made his return presence known with an outstanding tackle of the Vikings’ punt returner after Pat O’Donnell booted one from the Bears’ end zone. The Bears have missed his presence on special teams the last two weeks.
11. The Vikings used the quick game and screens to march 92 yards in about four minutes to get on the board. Bears up 16-6, thankfully, because Prince Amukamara snuffed out the two point try. It’s still a two possession game and the Bears take over after the on-side kick goes out of bounds.
Minnesota has three timeouts and the two minute warning.
12. The Bears went three-and-out quickly, without even pretending to throw the ball. Luckily, the Vikings used all of their timeouts on that possession, though, so time is on the Bears’ side. Also, FWIW:
13. What a win by the Bears. What a masterful performance by the defense today, missing three key starters. Given the context, this might’ve been more dominant than the throttling of Jared Goff and the Rams last season. Just sensational.
14. While Daniel did an admirable job filling in for Trubisky in the first half, the Bears will really need to game plan for a full game against Oakland next week in order to sustain offense and protect this defense. It’s critical.
15. The Bears board a plane to London now to take on the Oakland Raiders at Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium. It’ll be Khalil Mack’s first look at his former team and coach, Jon Gruden, who infamously traded the superstar EDGE to the Bears before the 2018 season.
The Bears will have to do it without Trubisky, and the Raiders are not a bad team (they’re 2-2 coming into this game with a strong offensive line). This is not a gimme for the Bears. But they are still the better team, and should head into their bye on a positive note.
Early prediction: Bears 24, Raiders 20.
