How the Vikings Players to Watch Fared vs. Bears
Adam New
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The Vikings came out of Soldier Field with a win, which is the most important thing. The game summed up this team and this season. It was pretty bizarre. Mistakes, penalties, 4th down turnovers, an ejection, Matt Naggy getting called for a penalty — it was a strange game. Let’s look at how my Vikings players to watch fared in this one.
Kirk Cousins
Oh boy. Kirk Cousins must hear the rumbling footsteps of Akiem Hicks in his nightmares. Like every Vikings/Bears game that preceded this one with Kirk Cousins in charge, the monster defensive tackle threw aside Vikings linemen — namely Mason Cole — and terrorized Cousins all night long. He also stuffed the Vikings run game. I will be glad when the day comes that we don’t have to face Hicks twice a year.
Cousins’ form has dipped recently, completing 12 of 24 passes for 87 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception aren’t great stats. It’s worth noting that when the Vikings did manage to get the ball down the field and into the red zone. He delivered the two touchdown passes that ultimately won the game. Outside of that, it was ugly.
Let’s be honest. This Vikings offense being stagnant for large parts of a game shouldn’t be surprising anyone. It’s the story of the season, and there are numerous reasons for it. You can point the finger of blame at Mike Zimmer, Klint Kubiak, Kirk Cousins, or the offensive line. Truth is, they all have their part to play. It wasn’t pretty, but it was enough to win this game and keep the season alive.
Harrison Smith
I said the Vikings defense needed to confuse and suffocate Justin Fields. They did a good job of that, especially when the Bears got down into the red zone. The Vikings forced two fumbles and three turnovers on downs, plus a missed field goal caused by a Dalvin Tomlinson tip.
Harrison Smith led the way with eight tackles and solid performance while also celebrating a return to the Pro Bowl for a sixth time, equalling the number made by Vikings hall of fame safety Paul Krause in Minnesota. Krause also made two pro bowls while playing in Washington. When it comes to Vikings players to watch, there’s no one I’d rather watch than Smith.
KJ Osborn
Unfortunately, this wasn’t the KJ Osborn breakout as a possible WR2 game that I had hoped. Despite playing against a depleted Bears secondary, the Vikings offense couldn’t get going for most of the game. Osborn did catch all three of his targets for 21 yards, which is solid production for the limited touches he got. The Vikings simply failed to get him involved enough.
Adam Thielen could be back next week, which would be a considerable boost. His absence has shown how much the team, and particularly Kirk Cousins, need the veteran receiver. In that case, Osborn goes back to being the third receiver.