Vikings vs. Bears: 4 Bold Takes and a Prediction

When you start the season 2-5, it’s going to take a streak of wins to join enjoy playoff contention. Fortunately for the Minnesota Vikings, they’ve won their last two and take on a seemingly helpless Chicago Bears squad on Sunday. The Bears come into the game at 3-6, having allowed a staggeringly putrid 106 points in their last two games. Something is wrong with the Bears right now.

Overconfidence

Oct 26, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) looks on from the sideline during the last seconds of the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots won 51-23. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

That said, the Vikings are far from a lock to win this one. It’s the NFL and past performances are not indicative of future results. The Bears have serious weapons on offense and remain a team that can turn it on randomly, especially against the Vikings. Our squad hasn’t won in Chicago since 2007.

Defensive Coordinator Mel Tucker knows where improvements need to be made. “We need to challenge balls better,” Tucker said. “We need to get a better, more consistent pass rush. We have to do a better job in man (coverage) and we have to do a better job breaking on the ball in zone. We have to do a much better job of recognizing play action.”

First Take: The Bears will look much better on the defensive side of the ball. If the Vikings want to have success offensively, they better come to play. After so much embarrassment, if these Bears have any pride at all they will put it all out on the line.

Breakthrough Bridgewater 

Teddy has looked poised in his rookie year and we should be excited about it. But this is one of those weeks where we need a dominant performance. Even though I think the Bears will play better this week, they are still reeling. I want to see Teddy have his best game as a professional. If the Vikings are going to continue this streak, other teams need to worry about Teddy.

“…You can’t be blinded by the stats. I know they’re a hungry defense and they’re eager to get a win“

“I can’t be blinded by the past couple of games,” Bridgewater said. “The past two games they were facing

and

. So you can’t be blinded by the stats. I know they’re a hungry defense and they’re eager to get a win.”

Second Take: I love that last quote from Teddy. It shows he is going to take this game very seriously. Teddy will have over 250 passing yards and rush for 40 more.

Get Cordarrelle Going

I’ll be the one to say it, Cordarrelle Patterson has not lived up to our lofty expectations this season. Now, let’s pull that back a bit because he’s been schemed against, he’s young and he’s still fourth in the league in kick return yards. Patterson also has 418 yards from scrimmage and has made some nice plays.

But there’s one thing missing this year; he hasn’t hit home runs. Last year, whenever Cordarrelle touched the ball it seemed like he was going to make one or more people miss. We need to get this guy the ball.

“I just got to get open,” Patterson said Thursday, per the St. Paul Pioneer Press. “I just got to just find myself, just to get open, just to help Teddy out.”

Third Take: Cordarrelle will have a big game on Sunday. He’ll touch the ball 5+ times and break a play for over 50 yards.

Bury them, Defense

The Vikings defense has undoubtedly been the biggest positive this year. In a complete turnaround from last year, which we won’t talk about, the Vikings are top-10 in the league in yards allowed per game. They allow 22.1 points on average and that should win you a lot of games. I am interested to see how they come out after the bye-week. Will they be rejuvenated and refreshed or will they be slow out of the gate?

Fourth Take: The Vikings defense will allow under 20 points. Healthy for the most part, I see them having a big game. Look for two turnovers and four sacks.

Prediction

The Vikings will look refreshed and confident coming off of two wins that saved the season. There is no reason for a let down here. There’s a huge difference between 5-5 and 4-6 and the team knows that. I think Mike Zimmer will have his team ready and the Vikings will roll. 28-17 Vikes.

Oct 26, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Minnesota Vikings defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 19-13. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports