BEARS (3-12) VS. VIKINGS (7-8)
SUNDAY, 1 P.M. ET, U.S. BANK STADIUM, MINNEAPOLIS uTV: FOX, DIRECTV 713
Announcers: Dick Stockton, David Diehl, Christina Pink
About the Bears: The NFL’s charter franchise could go 3-13 for the first time since the league went to a 16-game season in 1978. In the Bears’ 41-21 home loss to Washington on Saturday, two of their rare bright spots this season went dark. QB threw five interceptions as his record as the starter fell to 1-4 with 10 picks to eight touchdowns. Top draft pick exited early on a cart, entering concussion protocol for the second time in five weeks. OLB
GM biggest free agent signing in two years, departed early because of a shoulder injury, perhaps ending his season the same way it began. Indeed, injuries have defined a club that has placed a league-leading 19 players on injured reserve. The question is, will coach John Fox and Co. get a pass?
About the Vikings: They fell for the eighth time in 10 games, 38-25 to the Green Bay Packers, and were eliminated from the postseason after a 5-0 start. Amazingly, that wasn’t the biggest story to emanate from another ugly loss. First-time Pro Bowl CB
and the Vikings’ other corners, the group in which arguably invests more of his practice time than any other, revolted. By going off script in the first half and collectively failing to cover Packers WR Jordy Nelson rather than Rhodes exclusively following him on the outside as Zimmer expected, one of Minnesota’s best position groups outwardly defied the coach. In a span of 11 weeks, Zimmer went from coach of the year candidate to losing control of his team.
If we’re to assume Rhodes is compliant, we’ll see perhaps for the final time within the division this blue-chip pairing of physical and skilled perimeter playmakers. Jeffery, approaching unrestricted free agency, had four catches for 63 yards and a touchdown against the Vikings in October.
The best passing day of his career —
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
34-for-50 for 382 yards and three touchdowns — was overshadowed Saturday. His 71.3% completion rate also has been minimized by Minnesota’s horizontal offense and overall downward spiral, but he’s on pace to break Drew Brees’ NFL single-season record (71.2).
Bears rookie RB eclipsed 100 rushing yards for the sixth time in 12 starts Saturday and needs 61 yards to pass Matt Forte’s singleseason franchise rushing record of 1,238. Forte managed 3.9 yards per carry; Howard is at 5.1.
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Unknown wideouts. Vikings WR Adam Thielen caught 12 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns (all personal bests) Saturday, and Bears WR had a career-high 135 yards — his fourth 100yard day. Both will command attention from two reeling secondaries.
Vikings LT days as a starter appear numbered — he has been a constant pass-protection liability. Bears LT a holdover seventh-rounder from the previous regime, has one more opportunity, against ever dangerous DE to prove he belongs in an up-and-down season that has gone south.
After finishing 3-5 at Soldier Field, the Bears will try to avoid becoming the first team in franchise history to go winless on the road. The Vikings have lost three of their last four at home, including their most lopsided defeat of the season, 34-6 to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15.
Arthur Arkush