Date: 12/20/2015
Kickoff Time: 12:00 PM CST
TV Channel: FOX 9
Radio: KFAN-FM 100.3/KTCN-AM1130
The Minnesota Vikings (8-5) will be looking for a win when they face the Chicago Bears (5-8) at TCF Bank Stadium Sunday. This is the second straight loss for the Vikings, a first this season, when they were beat by the Arizona Cardinals, 20-23. But the Bears didn’t fare any better last week either, they also lost their second consecutive game when they were beat by the Washington Redskins, 21-24.
While the big talk this week isn’t necessarily about the Bears, it is about beating them and clinching a playoff spot. We all know the Bears have been more bad news than anything else but that doesn’t mean Cutler and Co. will come into the game on Sunday to roll over and play dead.
But let’s get back to the game itself. One of the keys to a victory on Sunday will be Teddy Bridgewater and the offensive line. Against the Cardinals Bridgewater threw for a career high 335 yards with 1 TD and 0 INTs on 25 of 36 passing against an amazing, and fourth ranked, Cardinals defense. But Teddy was able to move the ball the way he did with great pass protection. If the O line gives Teddy that much time to throw and pass the ball that will almost guarantee a victory.
With Martellus Bennett and Marquess Wilson out, Alshon Jeffery has become Jay Cutler’s go to guy. In six games Jeffery has five touchdowns with 602 yards, averaging 15.4 per reception. Not to mention he is a beast to cover. While his calf injury has slowed Jeffery down, Xavier Rhodes still has a hefty task in front of him.
The usually strong defense has been licking its wounds as of late. Harrison Smith and Anthony Barr will sit out this week again and Linval Joseph and Everson Griffen are listed as questionable. Anthony Harris and Terence Newman played well last Thursday and Andrew Sendejo is more than likely to comeback for the Bears game. So it might be up to the rookies again to make a strong showing against the Bears.
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