The Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears game on Monday Night Football may not feel like a heavyweight fight to national fans. Make no mistake. This game will have gigantic stakes for both teams. Chicago is trying to pull out of a three-game losing streak while Minnesota is trying to climb out of a deep hole they dug themselves earlier in the year. This game could end up having huge wild card playoff implications.
Neither team could be called one of the NFC elite right now. Both are flawed in various ways. Yet that is what can sometimes make such games compelling. Which team is able to mask those flaws and win a football game when they absolutely need to have it? The fact it’ll take place in primetime is weirdly compelling even if it could end up being ugly.
So let’s get to it. Who has the advantage and who comes out on top?
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Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears MNF breakdown
Storylines:
Matt Nagy the play caller – This is uncharted territory for the Bears head coach. He arrived with such certainty of purpose. He had a plan and knew how to implement it. This offense could succeed anywhere. Now halfway through his third season, there is doubt. The system isn’t functioning. Players lack discipline and urgency. People have started to question if Nagy should really be the guy running this offense anymore. Would he dare hand the call sheet to someone else?
Mike Zimmer fighting for his job? – Speculation over the job status of Zimmer has remained a topic of conversation for some time. The 1-5 start certainly enflamed those rumors. Now it feels like the veteran coach is battling for his job at this point. Two big victories over division opponents have steadied the ship somewhat but this one in Chicago could be the biggest of the bunch given how difficult it’s been to win there for the Vikings.
Injury update:
David Montgomery (concussion) – The Bears offense was already dealt a blow at running back when Tarik Cohen tore his ACL earlier this season. Now their primary back David Montgomery is in question after suffering a concussion in the loss to Tennessee. It’s uncertain if he will be cleared in time for the game, which could leave the running game in the hands of Ryan Nall. Not an ideal turn of events.
Holton Hill (foot) – Hill hasn’t played in weeks and now lands on IR with a foot injury. He is an example of a wider outbreak of brutal injuries the Vikings have suffered throughout their secondary. Four other guys are currently on the shelf as well. This is a big reason Minnesota’s defense is 30th in the NFL against the pass.
Key matchups:
Justin Jefferson vs. Jaylon Johnson – Who doesn’t love a good rookie-on-rookie matchup. Especially when those rookies are playing really good football. Jefferson leads the Vikings with 627 yards receiving. Johnson leads the Chicago Bears defense with 12 passes defended, allowing just over 46% of the passes thrown at him to be completed. This should be a fun and important battle.
More on-the-ball production for rookie CB Jaylon Johnson vs. TEN.
Matched up here vs. AJ Brown (top of the screen) — Challenge the break (with the shoulders square). And drive on the route.
Johnson leads the NFL with 12 PBUs (passes broken up). @NFLMatchup pic.twitter.com/LyEddvTm5q
— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) November 11, 2020
Allen Robinson vs. Jeff Gladney – The Vikings have their own highly-drafted cornerback in Gladney. Except his rookie year has been anybody but good. Quarterbacks have a 128.2 passer rating when throwing in his direction and he’s allowed five touchdowns. Allen Robinson remains the Bears’ go-to guy in the passing game and that is a matchup they’ll want (and have to) exploit.
X-factors:
Dalvin Cook – Forget the hottest running back in the NFL. Cook is the hottest PLAYER in the NFL. Since returning from injury two weeks ago, he has torched the Packers and Lions for a combined 369 yards rushing and five touchdowns. The guy is rolling and the Vikings are rolling with him. Stopping the run hasn’t always been easy for the Bears this year. This could be their biggest challenge of the season.
Nick Foles – If any quarterback is a mirror of the talent around him, it’s Foles. Specifically up front. When he gets protection, he tends to play well. When he doesn’t, the mistakes start to come. Right now the Vikings have one of the worst pass rushes in the NFL. Danielle Hunter is out for the year and they traded Yannick Ngakoue. For as bad as the Bears offensive line is, they have a chance to keep their QB clean in this one.
Prediction: Vikings win 23-21
Divisional games are always different and usually close. That doesn’t figure to change here. This feels like two teams going in opposite directions. Can the Chicago Bears beat the Vikings? Yes, they can. The problem is their offense is lifeless and seems to struggle even against average defenses. This feels like it will be a sloppy game that will come down to who makes the last mistake. Minnesota gets it with a minute or two left, Cook pops a big run and they escape on a long field goal.