Vikes Views; Who Ya Got? Vikings at Bears

The Minnesota Vikings head to Soldier Field to take on the Chicago Bears.

Head-to-Head Record – 66-57-2

Vikings Away Record vs the Bears – 27-33-2

Streak – L1

Most Points Scored – 48, Dec 6, 1998

Widest Margin of Victory – 31, 31-0 Oct 12, 1969

Most Recent Matchup – Bears 12 – Vikings 10, Nov 27, 2023

My 2024 Prediction Record: 7-3

2024 Vikes Views Poll Record: 8-2

The last time they played: Josh Dobbs and TJ Hockenson combined for the only TD of the game. The Bears scored 4 FGs including one of the game winning drive by Justin Fields. Both teams were under 200 yards net passing and it was an ugly game. No Jefferson and both Fields and Dobbs had more than 30 pass attempts.

Interesting Tidbits from the Vikings Weekly Release:

• Kevin O’Connell is tied for the 5th best record through 44 games amongst active Head Coaches (.636). He is behind LaFleur (.795), Jim Harbaugh (.739), Sirianni (.727) and McVay (.705). John Harbaugh and Tomlin had the same record at this point in their coaching careers.
• Minnesota also owns a league-best 62-point margin in first quarters this season, ahead of second ranked San Francisco (36-point margin). The Vikings’ mark is the tied for the sixth-highest point margin through 10 games in the NFL since 2000.
• The Vikings are 8-0 this season when they rush for more yards than their opponent. In Week 11, Minnesota recorded 82 yards on the ground, while Tennessee had 33. The Vikings’ 420-yard rush differential ranks sixth in the NFL through Week 11.
• The Vikings are averaging 7.61 passing yards per play, the fifth most in the NFL this season. They are the lone team represented in the top five in passing yards per play that does not rank in the top 10 in passing yards per game.
• The Vikings eight different players with a receiving touchdown through 10 games matches their season total from 2023. Since 2000, Minnesota has only had more players with a receiving touchdown on three occasions – 2014 (nine players), 2020 (10) and 2022 (10).
• Minnesota has completed 39 passes of 20+ yards through 10 games this season, totaling the second-most in the NFL to start the season. The Vikings only trail divisional foe Detroit (40 completions of 20+ yards).
• Over the past three weeks (Weeks 9-11), Minnesota has led the NFL in total first downs (81 first downs), ahead of second-ranked Cincinnati (77).
• The Vikings Defense is 1st in the league in Interceptions (16), Interceptions/Attempt (4.3%), Takeaways (21), Rushing Yards/Game (74.4) and 4th Down % (31.6%).
• The Vikings defense is 2nd in the league in Defensive Points Scored (18), Points Allowed (161) and Yards/Rush (3.6)
• The Vikings have contacted opposing rushers behind the line of scrimmage on 46.2% of carries this season, the third most in the NFL this season (Buffalo and Kansas City), and have only allowed 154 yards before contact this season, which ranks second in the NFL behind Miami (146 yards before contact).

How I See it Playing Out

The Bears are bad. Their QB is young and not ready. Their coach is bad and should’ve been fired last year. Anyone laughing at the Vikings getting Kwesi instead of Poles a few years ago should feel foolish. Their OL isn’t good and a little beat up. It’s hard to see how the Bears win. However, the Vikings never win easy. Even if I try to call for it, the best we get from them is last week. So, should the Vikings dominate this game and win by 20? Yes, it should be 30-10. It’s in Chicago, the team is on an “easy” part of their schedule. It’s easy to get complacent. However, I trust KOC. I think they came out flat against Jacksonville and almost lost. It woke them up. I think it’s 21-0 at half. Addison scored in Chicago last year and I think he gets two this year. The Vikings lazily finish it off.

Vikings 27 – Bears 13