WHAT TOWATCH4
Key matchup
Pro Bowl safety Harrison Smith is a perfect fit for a Vikings defense that is sound, solid and still capable of making big plays ( two defensive touchdowns this season).
‘‘ Football intelligence,’’ Bears offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains said when asked what makes Smith so effective. ‘‘ The guy’s a football player. He’s very instinctive, very good tackler in space. He understands their defense. He understands how people attack their defense and does a really good job of understanding the concepts of how you’re going to attack them and being in the right spot at the right time.’’
Smith has three interceptions in five career games against Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, including a 56- yard return for a touchdown in 2012 and a 52- yard return in 2014.
Trending
The Vikings have 11 players on their 53- man roster whowere drafted in the first round, including six starters. The Bears have three: linebacker Leonard Floyd ( 2016), guard Kyle Long ( 2013) and Cutler ( 2006). Receiver Kevin White ( 2015) and cornerback Kyle Fuller ( 2014) are on injured reserve.
Overexposed?
The Bears’ second ‘‘ Monday Night Football’’ appearance will be their fourth game in prime time this season, the most for a 1- 6 team in NFL history.
The Bears are the first 1- 6 team to play in prime time since the 2004 Dolphins, who lost to the 5- 1 Jets 41- 14 on ‘‘ Monday Night Football.’’
The only team with fewer victories after seven games to play on ‘‘ Monday Night Football’’ was the 1997 Bears ( 0- 7), who faced the Dolphins at Pro Player Stadium — and that was a technicality. The Bears-Dolphins game was moved to Monday because of a stadium conflict with the Marlins playing Game 7 of the World Series. The Bears, coming off a bye, won 36- 33 in overtime.
X- factor
Cutler has the unenviable task of returning from a five- game injury layoff against a Vikings defense that ranks first in the NFL in points allowed ( 12.8 per game) and total yards ( 279.5).
Cutler is 3- 3 with an 81.4 passer rating ( seven touchdowns, five interceptions) when he returns after missing a start, but five of those games came after a one- game absence. The only time he returned from a longer layoff — in 2013 against the Browns after missing four weeks with a torn groin muscle— Cutler was 22- for- 31 for 265 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions for a 102.2 rating in a 38- 31 victory in Cleveland.