What the Vikings Can Expect from Bears the 2nd Time Around

Week 15 brings the Minnesota Vikings’ fourth league game of the season. three weeks later Vikings went to Soldier Field and wonIt’s US Bank Stadium’s turn to host the final matchup between the Vikings and Chicago Bears. For the second time, we take a look at what the Vikings can expect from the Bears following the significant changes taking place in Chicago.

What Can the Vikings Expect from the Bears for the Second Time?

Thomas Brown was new to the offensive coordinator and play-calling role in Chicago when the two teams met in Week 12. Brown currently serves as head coach. Matt Eberflus was fired. In another indication of the disruption that persists in Chicago, Enerflus was assigned to hold a press conference the day after the Bears blew a chance to beat the league-leading Detroit Lions. Following the press conference, the Bears hierarchy decided to fire their head coach and assign Brown to manage the team for the remainder of the season.

The Bears have suffered three consecutive heartbreaking defeats by a total of seven points against other teams in their division. They had a chance to win all three games, but had a blocked shot against Green Bay, a 3-pointer against Minnesota in overtime, and then trailed by three against Detroit and couldn’t get a break in shooting range. His attempt to win the game by scoring was rushed and then time ran out and he was left with no chance for a shot. This was a huge mistake that ultimately cost Eberflis his job.

Thomas Brown Era

If Chicago was hoping the move to Brown could be a spark, they needed to push them off the cliff and pick up their first win since Week 6. Not everything went as planned when they hit the road to face the San Francisco 49ers last week. Trailing 24-0 at halftime, Chicago finished the game losing 38-13. It poured cold water on Brown’s hopes of being the man to manage the Bears on a permanent basis starting next season.

Brown has four more games to prove he can turn this group of players into a winning team, starting with Monday night’s trip to Minnesota. Brown was able to develop chemistry with Caleb Williams and opted to simplify the offense to make the No. 1 overall pick more effective. Williams had gone four games without scoring a goal but has scored seven goals in the last three games. There are certainly signs of improvement from Williams, who is the big thing in Chicago right now.

The Bears’ rushing offense has struggled to gain much traction this season, and they’re relying heavily on their rookie quarterback to make things happen. The Vikings’ run defense, which has been very good this season but struggled to contain Atlanta last week, needs to return to its old form here. The game then begins to contain Williams’ explosive play ability and the Bears’ talented receiving corps.

Vikings/Bears History

The Week 12 victory at Soldier Field improved the Vikings’ winning record against the Bears to 67-58-2 in 127 meetings between the division rivals to date. The Bears have managed just one win in their last seven games, but that win came in last year’s game at US Bank Stadium. Minnesota will want to correct this flaw in 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.

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