Vikings at Bears Preview: PFF Grades, Team Rankings and Stat Leaders

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Nov 18, 2018
Image courtesy of Vikings.com

I’ll just come out and say it — there’s a lot to like about the Chicago Bears’ roster. On paper they’re an impressively well-built team, and so far this season their play has reflected that. Offensively they feature an ascending sophomore quarterback, protected by a solid offensive line, surrounded by a plethora of weapons at the skill positions.

Defensively they’ve assembled one of the most talented units in the NFL. By adding Khalil Mack to the mix, the Bears have become a legit threat in the NFC North. There’s a reason Chicago remains atop the division through Week 10.

The Bears defense has not allowed a touchdown on the ground to an opposing running back this season. And while opposing quarterbacks have had slightly more success through the air, Chicago leads the NFL with 16 interceptions — a major reason why the Bears have the league’s best turnover margin. It’s also a big reason why the team has won three straight games.

On the other sideline, the Vikings have won four of the past five games. Also boasting an impressive roster from top-to-bottom, the defending NFC North champions are looking to take back control of the division. The anticipated Sunday night showdown is perhaps the biggest matchup between these two teams in recent memory, and the head coach knows it.

“I think the Bears are a really good football team,” said Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer. “They’re outstanding on defense. Special teams they do a great job, and offensively I think they’ve really improved… This will be a great challenge for us this week.”

After a week of rest, the Vikings will look to keep the momentum rolling following a shaky start to the season. Offensively the team has benefitted from the recent return of running back Dalvin Cook, while the defense just recorded a franchise-record ten sacks on Nov. 4 against the Lions.

Tonight, the Vikings defense will have their hands full trying to stop a red-hot Bears offense that has turned the ball over just once in the last three games.

The offense also faces a tough test against the league’s No. 4 defense. The Vikings will welcome back Stefon Diggs, who missed one game due to a rib injury. He’ll join fellow receiver Adam Thielen – who has caught a touchdown pass in six consecutive games – in providing quarterback Kirk Cousins a dangerous receiving duo that’s capable of giving a stout Bears secondary fits.

Without further adieu, let’s take a look at how the teams stack up by the numbers.

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VIKINGS

  • Minnesota’s away record in 2018 is 2-1-1

Notable Pro Football Focus grades

  • QB Kirk Cousins: 84.3 (#10)
  • RB Latavius Murray: 73.6 (#20)
  • RB Dalvin Cook: 61.9 (#51)
  • WR Adam Thielen: 90.8 (#2)
  • WR Stefon Diggs: 77.5 (#22)
  • LT Riley Reiff: 70.8 (#25)
  • DE Danielle Hunter: 81.7 (#11)
  • DT Sheldon Richardson: 74.4 (#29)
  • DT Linval Joseph: 74.4 (#29)
  • S Anthony Harris: 82.6 (#NA)
  • S Harrison Smith: 76.7 (#20)

2018 offensive leaders

  • Passing: QB Kirk Cousins: 2,685 yards with 17 TD’s and 5 INT’s
  • Rushing yards: RB Latavius Murray: 417
  • Rushing TD’s: RB Latavius Murray: 5
  • Receiving yards: WR Adam Thielen: 947
  • Receiving TD’s: WR Adam Thielen: 7

2018 team offense

  • Total offense: 12th (374.3 YPG)
  • Passing: 8th (282.7 YPG)
  • Rushing: 28th (91.7 YPG)
  • Scoring: 15th (24.6 PPG)
  • Turnover ratio: 16th (+1)
  • Third down conversions: 16th (39%)
  • Red zone percentage: 18th (56%)

2018 team defense

  • Total defense: 5th (322.2 YPG)
  • Passing: 11th (233.3 YPG)
  • Rushing: 3rd (88.9 YPG)
  • Scoring: 11th (22.7 PPG)
  • Third-down conversions: 1st (26%)
  • Red zone percentage: 2nd (39%)

2018 defensive leaders

  • Tackles: LB Eric Kendricks: 58
  • Sacks: DE Danielle Hunter: 11.5
  • Interceptions: S Harrison Smith: 3

Fantasy defense

  • Passing allowed to opposing QB’s: 2,279 yards, 12 TD’s & 8 INT’s
  • Rushing allowed to opposing RB’s: 667 yards & 2 TD’s
  • Receiving allowed to opposing WR’s: 1,260 yards & 6 TD’s
  • Receiving allowed to opposing TE’s: 538 yards & 3 TD’s

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BEARS

  • Chicago’s home record in 2018 is 4-1

Notable Pro Football Focus grades

  • QB Mitchell Trubisky: 60.6 (#30)
  • RB Tarik Cohen: 71.1 (#26)
  • WR Taylor Gabriel: 71.2 (#40)
  • WR Allen Robinson: 70.2 (#45)
  • TE Trey Burton: 75.5 (#6)
  • LT Charles Leno Jr.: 75.2 (#16)
  • CB Kyle Fuller: 87.6 (#4)
  • CB Bryce Callahan: 88.2 (#3)
  • S Eddie Jackson: 91.1 (#2)
  • DL Akiem Hicks: 91.6 (#4)
  • DE Khalil Mack: 83.3 (#9)

2018 offensive leaders

  • Passing: QB Mitchell Trubisky: 2,304 yards with 19 TD’s & 7 INT’s
  • Rushing yards: RB Jordan Howard: 460
  • Rushing TD’s: RB Jordan Howard: 5
  • Receiving yards: RB Tarik Cohen: 435
  • Receiving TD’s: TE Trey Burton: 5

2018 team offense

  • Total offense: 16th (363.4 YPG)
  • Passing: 20th (243.3 YPG)
  • Rushing: 12th (120.1 YPG)
  • Scoring: 5th (29.9 PPG)
  • Turnover ratio: 1st (+13)
  • Third-down conversions: 11th (43%)
  • Red zone percentage: 12th (66%)

2018 team defense

  • Total defense: 4th (319.6 YPG)
  • Passing: 12th (235.6 YPG)
  • Rushing: 2nd (84.0 YPG)
  • Scoring: 4th (19.4 PPG)
  • Third-down conversions: 3rd (34%)
  • Red zone percentage: 25th (68%)

2018 defensive leaders

  • Tackles: LB Danny Trevathan: 65
  • Sacks: DE Khalil Mack: 7
  • Interceptions: CB Kyle Fuller: 4

Fantasy defense

  • Passing allowed to opposing QB’s: 2,303 yards, 17 TD’s & 16 INT’s
  • Rushing allowed to opposing RB’s: 564 yards & 0 TD’s
  • Receiving allowed to opposing WR’s: 1,598 yards & 9 TD’s
  • Receiving allowed to opposing TE’s: 351 yards & 5 TD’s

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More Week 11 content:

  • Sunday’s game is at 7:20pm (CST) and will be shown locally on NBC
  • Stats courtesy of NFL.com and Pro Football Reference
  • NEXT WEEK: Vikings vs. Packers
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