Who Has the Turnaround Advantage on Vikings-Bears?
The Minnesota Vikings play host to the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football. The two teams met up just a couple of weeks ago when they needed overtime to determine the eventual result. Kevin O’Connell’s team emerged victorious by the slimmest of margins. As they see each other again so soon, who has the advantage?
Who Has the Turnaround Advantage on Vikings-Bears?
Of course, playing at home is a positive thing for Minnesota. U.S. Bank Stadium is an advantage unlike any other. Also, over the years, Soldier Field has been difficult to master. Beyond just the location there, are there things that either side can adjust going into their next tilt?
For Minnesota, it would seem to be all about Caleb Williams. The rookie quarterback has improved since Thomas Brown was installed as the offensive coordinator. Now, he has more responsibility as he has replaced fired head coach Matt Eberflus.
In the first matchup, Williams threw the ball nearly 50 times. He racked up 340 yards through the air and put the ball in the end zone twice. He regularly spread the rock around to D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, Cole Kmet, and Rome Odunze. Minnesota will need to hit Williams early and often, as has been the case for him this season, to keep him jittery in the pocket.
If the Vikings can dial down the Bears’ passing game better than they did in their first matchup, this one could turn into a laugher early. Chicago’s running game is not notable, and this looks like an opportunity for Brian Flores to get his unit back on track.
Conversely, Minnesota’s biggest opportunity could be exposing the secondary with Justin Jefferson. The star wideout turned five targets into two receptions for 27 yards in their last meeting. Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson popped off as they shadowed Justin Jefferson. If Darnold can find Jefferson on Monday, then the Bears won’t have any avenue for answers.
Divisional matchups often get squirrely, but this is one that Minnesota should put away with relative ease.
Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes daily for Minnesota Sports Fan. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.
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