Oct 15, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; The Chicago Bears face off against the Minnesota Vikings defense in the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports.
Week 15 brings the Minnesota Vikings fourth division game of the season. Three weeks after the Vikings went to Soldier Field and won, it is the turn of U.S. Bank Stadium to host the latest battle between the Vikings and the Chicago Bears. We look at what the Vikings can expect from the Bears the second time after significant changes have occurred in Chicago.
Thomas Brown was new to the offensive coordinator and play-calling role in Chicago when the two teams met in Week 12. Brown is now the head coach after Matt Eberflus was fired. In another show of the dysfunction that continues to be present in Chicago, Enerflus was rolled out to do a press conference the day after the Bears botched the chance to beat the division-leading Detroit Lions. After the press conference, the Bears hierarchy decided to fire their head coach and elevate Brown to run the team for the remainder of the season.
The Bears had suffered three consecutive heartbreaking losses to the other teams in their division by a combined seven points. They had the chance to win all three games, but a blocked field goal against Green Bay, a 3-and-out against Minnesota in overtime, and then failed to call a time-out against Detroit down by three and within field goal range. The attempt at winning the game with a touchdown ended up being rushed, and then time expired, and there was no chance of a field goal. It was a major blunder that ultimately cost Eberflis his job.
If Chicago hoped the move to Brown was the spark, they needed to tip them over the edge and get their first win since Week 6. All did not go to plan last week as they went on the road to face the San Francisco 49ers. Chicago found themselves 24-0 behind at halftime and finished up losing the game 38-13. It poured cold water on the hopes of Brown being the man to permanently lead the Bears from next season.
Brown has four more games to prove that he can turn this group of players into a winning team, starting with Monday night’s trip to Minnesota. Brown has managed to develop chemistry with Caleb Williams, choosing to simplify the offense to make the No. 1 overall pick more effective. Williams was on a four-game run without a touchdown pass, but he has thrown seven in the last three games. There are certainly signs of development from Williams, which is the most important thing in Chicago right now.
The Bears’ rushing attack has struggled to gain much traction this season, and they are relying heavily on their rookie quarterback to make things happen. The Vikings’ run defense, which has been so good this season but struggled to contain Atlanta last week, needs to return to form here. Then, the game becomes about containing Williams’s explosive play ability and the Bears’ talented receiving corps.
Victory in Week 12 at Soldier Field extended the Vikings’ winning record against the Bears to 67-58-2 in the 127 meetings between the division rivals to date. The Bears have only managed one win in the last seven meetings, but that win came in last year’s game at US Bank Stadium. Minnesota will want to rectify that blemish on their recent record.
Primetime football awaits Minnesota on Monday night. The Vikings can improve their record to 12-2 and possibly secure a playoff berth.