The Minnesota Vikings host the Chicago Bears for a white out at US Bank Stadium.
Head-to-Head Record – 67-58-2
Vikings Home Record vs the Bears – 39-25
Streak – W1
Most Points Scored – 48, Dec 6, 1998
Widest Margin of Victory – 31, 31-0 Oct 12, 1969
Most Recent Matchup – Vikings 30 – Bears 27
My 2024 Prediction Record: 10-3
2024 Vikes Views Poll Record: 11-2
The last time they played: Three weeks ago the Vikings went into Chicago and won in overtime. Caleb Williams put up 340 yards and 2 TDs. The Bears scored a TD with 0:22 left and were able to recover the onside kick. A 27 yards pass to DJ Moore and a Santos FG later, the game was in OT. The Bears went three and out in OT and the Vikings took the ball down for a short FG to win.
Interesting Tidbits from the Vikings Weekly Release:
- On the Winter Warrior uniforms, all warm colors have been removed, marking the first Vikings uniforms that do not utilize gold. The metallic gray is a nod to ancient Viking armor.
- Minnesota is 4-1 against Chicago under Head Coach Kevin O’Connell. Another Vikings’ win would clinch their third season sweep of the Bears in the last four years. The last time Minnesota swept the season series with the Bears in three of four years was in 1997, 1998 and 2000.
- The Vikings are 9-0 this season when they rush for more yards than their opponent, and their 337-yard rush differential ranks sixth in the NFL. Weeks 13 vs. Arizona and 14 vs. Atlanta were the first games Minnesota won while not logging more rushing yards than its opponent.
- In Week 14 vs. Atlanta, the Vikings scored 40+ for the first time under Head Coach Kevin O’Connell. It was the team’s most points in a game since Week 7 of the 2019 season at Detroit (42-30).
- The Vikings defense ranks 1st int he NFL in interceptions (20), interceptions/attempt (4.0%), opponent 4th down percentage (34.6%), and passes defensed (72).
- The defense is 2nd in takeaways (27) and opponent rushing yards/game (87.2).
- The Vikings have contacted opposing rushers behind the line of scrimmage on 43% of carries this season and have only allowed 284 yards before contact, which ranks third in the NFL behind Miami (159 yards before contact) and Kansas City (280).
- The Vikings have recorded a takeaway in each of their first 13 games to start a season for the first time since 2001. Minnesota and Buffalo are the only teams that have recorded at least one takeaway in every game so far this season.
- Jordan Addison tallied a career-high 162 receiving yards and one touchdown on a career-high eight receptions in Week 12 at Chicago. In Week 14 vs. Atlanta, Addison logged 133 receiving yards and three touchdowns on eight catches. His 133 yards were the second most in his career only behind his performance at Chicago.
- Addison’s first career Monday Night Football game was in Week 7 of the 2023 vs. San Francisco. He caught seven passes for a then-career-high 123 yards and two touchdowns. It was his first 100+ yards receiving game.
- In Week 14 vs. Atlanta, WRs Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson became the first Vikings WR duo to each record 100+ receiving yards and at least two touchdowns in a game in franchise history.
- Jefferson’s 23 receptions of 20+ yards lead the NFL this season. Since entering the league in 2020, Jefferson has hauled in 127 receptions of 20+ yards, 24 more than any other player during that span (CeeDee Lamb, 103).
How I See it Playing Out
The Bears are a sinking ship. The Vikings have a chance to tie for 1st place in the division and control their destiny. This game on paper is a blowout waiting to happen. The Bears O-Line is not going to be able to block one of the best pass rushes in the NFL. The Vikings offense is going to put up big numbers. The Bears are one of the worst run defenses in the league, giving up 134.8 yards per game. It was some poor plays and some random luck that the previous game was so close. Don’t play stupid, manage the game and send the fans home happy with an easy win.
Vikings 27 – Bears 13
