WHEN THE BEARS HAVE THE BALL
The Bears will be trying to re-establish everything after the offense cratered in Thomas Brown’s first game on the sideline, with head coaching responsibilities last week against the 49ers — just four net yards on 17 plays in falling behind 24-0 at halftime.
“I have to do a better job of trying to find some sequence to put us in to stay on the grass and be effective,” Brown said. “I don’t tell our guys to start the game slow. If I had the answer to that, the problem would already have been fixed. We’ll be aggressive towards that to find a solution.”
That could be problematic if the Bears can’t establish the run, with an offensive line that has withered in the second half. Since rushing for 196 yards (5.8 average) against the Commanders, the Bears are averaging 90.8 rushing yards in their last six games — 28th in the NFL in that span. And their two best running backs are injured — D’Andre Swift (groin) is questionable and Roschon Johnson (concussion) is out. That would leave Travis Homer (three carries, 16 yards) and newly re-signed Darrynton Evans (3-3) to carry the load.
The Bears are hoping to avoid leaning on rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, but that actually was productive vs. the Vikings at Soldier Field. With Swift held to 30 yards on 13 carries, Williams completed 32 of 47 passes for 340 yards and two touchdowns for a 103.1 passer rating in the 30-27 overtime loss.
WHEN THE VIKINGS HAVE THE BALL
The Bears will be trying to re-establish everything after the defense cratered in coordinator Eric Washington’s first game as play-caller, with Matt Eberflus fired — the Bears allowed 319 total yards, including 254 passing in falling behind 24-0 at halftime.
It won’t be easy in the hostile environs of U.S. Bank Stadium against a Vikings offense that ranks ninth in the NFL in scoring (26.1 points per game) after Sam Darnold threw five touchdown passes in a 42-21 victory over the Falcons last week.
The Bears know what they’re up against. The Vikings showed off their run-pass versatility and depth in their 30-27 overtime victory against the Bears on Nov. 24 at Soldier Field. Aaron Jones had 22 carries for 106 yards and a touchdown. And with All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson contained (a season-low two receptions for 27 yards), Jordan Addison (8-162, one touchdown) and tight end T.J. Hockenson (7-114) stepped up.
The key matchup will be the Bears defensive front against the Vikings’ offensive line. The Bears had three sacks and nine quarterback hits against Darnold at Soldier Field. But they’ve had just tree sacks and six quarterback hits in two games since then, against the Lions and 49ers.
“We have to make sure we have the call ready and our cleats in the dirt with great communication and clear understanding of how to execute our concepts,” Washington said, “and we give ourselves the best chance.”