Preview: Bears at Vikings
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[December 29, 2017]
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The Minnesota Vikings used a victory
over the Chicago Bears to ignite an eight-game winning streak that
sent the team on its way toward the NFC North title. The Vikings
have even bigger fish to fry on Sunday, as they'll bid to secure a
first-round bye with a victory over the visiting Bears at U.S. Bank
Stadium.
"I think this is the first time in my career where you can
officially say this game counts as more than one," Minnesota tight
end Kyle Rudolph said. "... This week counts as two wins,
essentially. If we can go out and get a win, it guarantees us that
we get next week off." The Vikings are bidding for their fourth
season sweep of the Bears since 2000, although they could also
receive a first-round bye if Carolina falls to Atlanta. Chicago has
won two of three in what has been another difficult season under the
watch of John Fox, who has heard rumblings about his job after
posting a 14-33 mark at the helm in the Windy City. "I don't worry
about it. I've never had trouble getting employment in this league
and I'm not going to start worrying about it now," Fox said.
TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Vikings -11.5. O/U: 39.5
ABOUT THE BEARS (5-10): Rookie Mitchell Trubisky believes there is a
night-and-day difference from when he made his NFL debut against
Minnesota in Week 5 until now. "In every area ... leadership ...
just reading defenses," the second overall pick said. "Preparation
... how to carry yourself as a pro and just getting comfortable
within this offense is probably the main thing (I've done). Just
letting the game slow down and just playing, instead of thinking."
Trubisky completed just 12 of 25 passes for 128 yards with a
touchdown and one interception in the first meeting, but has settled
in to throw for a franchise rookie-best 2,015 yards.
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ABOUT THE VIKINGS (12-3): Jerick McKinnon totaled his second-best
career total in scrimmage yards with 146 in the previous encounter
with Chicago, highlighted by a 55-yard touchdown run. Fellow running
back Latavius Murray stepped in for flashy rookie Dalvin Cook and
had 12 carries for 31 yards before slowly taking the reins in the
backfield. A potent running game and stifling defense helped Case
Keenum emerge victorious despite completing just 14 of 25 for 139
yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 16-0 win over Green Bay. Stefon
Diggs found the end zone in back-to-back weeks, but was limited to
just one catch for four yards in the previous meeting with the
Bears.
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EXTRA POINTS
1. Minnesota S Harrison Smith was named NFC Defensive Player of the
Week after recording two interceptions versus Green Bay.
2. Chicago RB Jordan Howard, who has an NFL fifth-best 1,113 rushing
yards, ran for two touchdowns last week and has 262 scrimmage yards
and four rushing TDs in his past three games.
3. Vikings DE Everson Griffen has recorded six of his career-high 13
sacks in his past seven home games.
PREDICTION: Vikings 24, Bears 14
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