Oct 15, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers (31) catches a pass in the second half as Chicago Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards (53) closes in to defend at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports.
The Minnesota Vikings had a hard time running the football last Sunday against the Tennessee Titans. This week, they play a divisional game on the road against the Bears. The Vikings may need to turn to their other RB in Chicago. In the outdoor elements of Soldier Field, the ground game will be important.
This isn’t a call for Aaron Jones to be supplanted as the Vikings RB1, far from it. Jones is vital to the Vikings offense, but injury issues have mounted for the veteran RB. He picked up a hip injury in Week 5 that knocked him out of that game vs. the New York Jets that has lingered, and he went to the locker room in the x-rays on a chest injury in Week 10 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jones is on the injury report to start Week 12. However, he was a full practice with what was declared a rib injury.
The Vikings have put a heavy workload on Jones, asking him to play on 61% of snaps this season. His 15.7 rushing attempts per game would be a career if it were maintained until the end of the season — and that includes two games where he was off the field with injuries. Jones has held up through the injuries so far, but he looked fairly beaten up last week against a tough Titans run defense, as he only managed 39 yards at an average of 2.6 yards per carry.
The Vikings traded for Cam Akers in October, and the RB has gotten more involved in recent weeks. Now is the time to get the most out of Akers. Minnesota will need to be careful with Jones’ workload and think about how they split the reps between the two backs. Against the Titans, Jones had 15 carries compared to 10 for Akers. The Vikings should run the ball more in Chicago, and most extra carries should go to Akers.
Including his games with the Houston Texans this season, Akers has 69 rushing attempts for 256 yards and a touchdown. He has also caught 9 of 12 targets for 43 yards and 2 touchdowns. The first touchdown game against the Vikings in Week 3, while the second came last weekend in Minnesota’s win over the Titans. Akers is capable of handling an extended role both on the ground and as a pass catcher.
The Bears have a strong passing defense, but their run defense is more middle of the pack. This season, the Bears allow opposing teams 130.3 rushing yards per game. Minnesota would be very happy if they could get around that number on Sunday. It will be necessary for the Vikings to get their run game going, but that’s not just down to the backs. There is another problem in that regard. The run blocking from the Vikings’ offensive line wasn’t good last week, and the Bears’ defensive line isn’t as formidable as the Titans.
The run-blocking ability of the Vikings’ OL is a concern. The loss of Christian Darrisaw would always be a blow, but the drop of too Cam Robinson is more significant in run blocking than in pass blocking. Dalton Risner replaced Ed Ingram at right guard in the last game, and while he is a solid pass blocker, he is also well-known as a poor run blocker. With a lead in the second half, Minnesota failed to run the ball effectively, take time out of the game, and put pressure on the Titans. It almost let Tennessee back in the game.
We will find out how the Vikings rushing attack fares this Sunday. It needs to be better than last week.