WHEN THE BEARS HAVE THE BALL
KEY PLAYERS
In 2 games against the Vikings last year, RB Matt Forte averaged 4.7 yards per carry (27-127) but only 4.8 yards per reception (8-38). He’s expected to be more productive in the passing game Sunday. Vikings DE Jared Allen, who has 13 sacks in 10 games vs. the Bears, can affect the game in a lot of ways. He had 1 tackle for loss, 2 hurries and 2 batted passes last week.
ON THE GROUND
The Bears are looking for significant improvement in their run game after Matt Forte (19-50) and Michael Bush (6-15) averaged 2.6 yards per carry vs. the Bengals. With four new starters on the offensive line, the second game figures to be better than the first. The Vikings allowed 112 rushing yards (4.6 ypc) to Lions running backs last week, with power back Joique Bell (6-25, 2 TDs) complementing Reggie Bush (21-90). The Vikings expect to get six-time Pro Bowl DT Kevin Williams back from injury. That will help, but the Bears usually run well against the Vikings.
IN THE AIR
If the Bears can keep Vikings DE Jared Allen off Jay Cutler’s back, they have a chance to expand their passing game against a Vikings defense that ranked 23rd in the NFL against the pass in 2012 and allowed 357 yards, with no sacks, to the Lions last week. The Bears also have a chance to show off Matt Forte’s versatility against a team that allowed 168 receiving yards to Bush and Bell last week. Or they can strike deep if the Vikings shore up that flaw. The Vikings batted four balls at the line of scrimmage last week. Brandon Marshall had 22 receptions for 252 yards in 2 games vs. the Vikings last year.