NFL Game Of The Week: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears

The 6-7 Vikings will travel to Chicago Monday to try to keep their playoff hopes alive against a 4-9 Bears team that is hoping for better things in their future with rookie Justin Fields at the helm. 

Minnesota beat Pittsburgh 36-28 Sunday, one week removed from losing to the previously winless Lions. Kirk Cousins did not have a great game, completing 14 of 31 passes for 216 yards with two touchdowns with two interceptions, but the Vikings ran for 242 yards, while their defense sacked Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Rothlisberger five times. 

Cousins has completed 319 of 477 passes this season for 3,569 yards (68.2%) with 27 touchdowns and just five interceptions. His 27 touchdown passes are tied for fifth in the league. Justin Jefferson (85 REC, 1,288 YDS, 8 TDS), Adam Thielen (64 REC, 686 YDS, 10 TDS) and tight end Tyler Conklin (49 REC, 489 YDS, 3 TDS) are key parts of a Viking offense that is averaging 267.4 yards per game through the air (7th) with a 66.07 completion percentage (12th). Jefferson's 1,288 receiving yards lead the team and are good for second in the league, while Thielen's 10 touchdowns are tops on the team.  

Dalvin Cook (198 ATT, 978 YDS, 6 TDS) leads a Viking's rushing attack that is averaging 123.2 yards a game (10th). Cook's 734 yards are third amongst NFL running backs. Cook carried the ball 27 times for 205 and scored twice in the Vikings win over the Steelers. 

Minnesota's defense has struggled the season and contributed to their uneven record. The Vikings are giving up 129.5 yards per game on the ground (27th), 251.9 yards per game through the air (25th) and 25.2 points per game (25th). 

Linebacker Erik Kendricks leads the team in tackles with 120 total, good for fifth in the league, while defensive end Danielle Hunter's six sacks lead the team. Despite their defensive struggles, Minnesota's 41 sacks are the most in the NFL. 

Chicago threw rookie first round pick Justin Fields right into the mix this season, with mixed results.  Fields has completed 133 of 231 passes for 1,585 yards and six touchdowns this season, with 10 interceptions. He has been sacked 33 times this season, fourth-highest in the league. Overall, Chicago is averaging 176.5 passing yards per game, last in the NFL. Darnell Mooney (52 REC, 740 YDS, 3 TDS) leads the team in receiving yards and touchdown catches. There will be no playoffs for the Bears this season, but they are banking that seeing the field now will help Fields gets better quicker. 

Chicago's ground attack is in better shape than their passing game. David Montgomery (144 ATT, 608 YDS, 4 TDS) is averaging 4.2 yards per carry, and the Bears are averaging 126 rushing yards per game, good for seventh. Fields has also rushed for 385 yards, fourth-highest amongst QBs. 

Roquan Smith leads the defense with 130 tackles (78 solo). The Bears have been solid against the pass, giving up 216.5 yards per game (8th), but not so great against the run, giving up 120 yards per game (24th). They've proven they can get to the quarterback with 36 team sacks, third-highest in the league. 

Prediction

Minnesota's defense may struggle to contain Justin Fields, but the Vikings have enough offense to get past the Bears. 

Vikings 30-Bears 20



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