The Chicago Bears defense was expected to struggle against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Instead they shut down their league-leading rusher Dalvin Cook to just 2.5 yards per carry, sacked Kirk Cousins six times, and gave up six points. It was an even more thorough thrashing of their division rival than the one they put on them in Minnesota last December. The Vikings looked genuinely shellshocked by how well the defense was playing. Especially with Akiem Hicks and Roquan Smith out.
So what in the world happened? The Vikings should not have looked that overmatched. Their talent isn’t nearly this bad. This felt more like one unit imposing its will upon another. Chicago was determined to bully Minnesota and did so with ruthless aggression. After the game, linebacker Danny Trevathan provided a clue. He said their motivation was supplied by none other than Minnesota head coach Mike Zimmer.
“Their head coach said something funny. I don’t even remember, but I looked at it and say okay, see you Sunday, bro.”
So what did he say? Well it had to do with a question being asked regarding the Vikings’ struggles at Soldier Field. They are 2-3 under Zimmer in that stadium. The head coach, not exactly known for his careful tact, provided a blunt answer.
“I don’t know — that’s what everybody told me when I got here, and we won some games. I guess if you turn the ball over and do dumb penalties and do dumb things, it’s a pretty hard place to play.
“I think they’ve lost their last two.”
That last little dig was probably the one that flipped the switch for the Bears. Bringing up two tough losses to the Eagles and Packers. Clearly they wanted to remind Zimmer and his team that they’re not at that level.
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Chicago Bears defense may have done more than just win
Simply beating Zimmer’s team in that game was probably enough to ruin his day. However, the Bears’ performance may end up having more far-reaching consequences. The Vikings are now 2-2 on the season with both losses coming in the division. They’re last in the NFC North and in a deep hole that may prove impossible to climb out of given the way their quarterback has played lately. If they fail to make the playoffs again, two years removed from being the NFC championship game?
That could prove enough to get Zimmer fired.
Nobody can deny his excellent work with the Vikings defense. However, he deserves criticism for his heavy-handed approach on offense. The man has already blown through four different offensive coordinators since 2014. His obsession with establishing the run has led to undercutting the effectiveness of his quarterback. This team has a good enough roster for a deep playoff run, but it’s not playing like it. That falls on him.
This latest defeat could end up being the catalyst for his downfall.
