20 Things to Know before Bears-Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings (6-7) hit the road in Week 15, visiting the disappointing Chicago Bears (4-9).
Here are 20 stats, facts, and things to know leading into the divisional showdown between the Vikings and Bears.
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- Since Dennis Green departed the Vikings 20 years ago, Minnesota is 4-14 (.222) at Soldier Field. The Vikings played well there during and before the Dennis Green era — but terribly after.
- Just like the Steelers last week, the Bears are good on defense based on name reputation only. Chicago’s defense ranks 27th in the NFL through 13 games.
- And then for offensive efficiency, the Bears are the 26th-best group.
- Aside from head coach Matt Nagy who already had COVID this season, the Bears coordinators could all miss Monday Night Football because of the coronavirus. That would leave ex-Vikings offensive coordinator John DeFilippo calling plays for the Bears against his old team.
- The Bears rank last in the NFL in passing yards.
- Wide receiver Allen Robinson tallied 1,250 receiving yards in 2020. He’s missed three games this season, hauling in 353 yards in 2021. Robinson has benefitted zilch from the addition of Justin Fields.
- Kirk Cousins has thrown a touchdown in 27 consecutive games. That’s the longest active streak in the NFL.
- Cousins has also thrown 2+ touchdowns in six straight games — which is also the longest active such streak in the league.
- These players have started every Vikings game in 2021: Bashaud Breeland, Ezra Cleveland, Kirk Cousins, Justin Jefferson, Brian O’Neill, Oli Udoh, and Xavier Woods. Breeland was waived, so he’ll exit the list. And Udoh may not start with the return of Christian Darrisaw at left tackle.
- When the ball is kicked off on Monday, C.J. Ham will have played more games as a Vikings than Keith Millard.
- Through the end of Week 14, the Vikings led the NFL is 15+ yard gains on offense (115).
- The Vikings led the NFL in sacks through 14 weeks of 2021. The Bears ranked fourth in sacks.
- The farthest a 6-7 team ever reached in the playoffs was the AFC Championship in 1996 when the Jaguars, in their second-ever season, lost to Drew Bledsoe and the Patriots. All other teams failed to reach the postseason or lost in the wildcard or divisional rounds.
- In the 2018 and 2019 seasons combined, Minnesota had 12 games decided by eight or fewer points. Through 14 weeks, the Vikings have 12 such games in 2021 alone.
- The NFL “record” for games decided by eight or fewer points is 14, held by the 1994 New York Giants and 2015 Baltimore Ravens. So, Minnesota needs three more.
- In the 21st Century, the Vikings play better at Lambeau Field (winning 35% of the time) than Soldier Field (25% win rate).
- The Vikings are 30-35 (.462) all-time on Monday Night Football. That win percentage ranks 21st in NFL history.
- With the temperature at 40 degrees and under, teams led by Kirk Cousins since 2015 are 6-3 (.666).
- The Vikings haven’t played a “noon” game (Central time zone) at Chicago since 2015.
- Minnesota has scored 24 or more points at Soldier Field one time in the last decade. And it lost that game, 31-30, in 2013.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
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