Chicago Bears @ Minnesota Vikings – Week 15 Game Preview: Overview, Keys to Game, Insights
The Thomas Brown era got off to an inauspicious start last Sunday in the Bay Area with the Bears (4-9) delivering an absolute dud of a performance against the 49ers. Caleb Williams and the offense produced a grand total of four yards from scrimmage in the first half and the team fell into a 24-0 hole they never got out of in an eventual 38-13 shellacking.
Chicago is again playing out the string in the final four games of a disappointing season before another coaching (and possibly general manager) search begins. This week they face the rival Vikings (11-2) in a prime time matchup Monday night.
This is a rematch of the Week 12 battle at Soldier Field when the Bears scored 11 points in the final two minutes to force overtime. Unfortunately, Minnesota kicked the winning field goal in OT to win and hand then coach Matt Eberflus yet another one-score loss.
Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold has been on fire since that contest, throwing seven touchdowns and no interceptions in his last two starts. Star wide receiver Justin Jefferson is getting a lot of help from fellow wideout Jordan Addison, who pulled down three touchdown passes against the Falcons last week. Former Packers RB Aaron Jones is well on his way to over 1000 yards rushing this season as the offense is finding a groove.
Minnesota has excellent run defense, with the second fewest yards allowed per game on the ground in the NFL. That stingy front is a big factor in them surrendering just 18.5 points per game in 2024. They also have a whopping 27 takeaways this season, just one behind the Steelers for the league lead.
The Bears don’t have anything to play for but hopefully they will show a little bit more life in this game. The complete no-show performance after having their head coach fired was embarrassing. They should try and show some more pride in this one if for nothing else than to keep their own individual jobs next year. If they don’t, the house cleaning this offseason may be even bigger than anticipated.
Where to Watch/Listen
- Monday, December 16 at 7:00pm CT on ABC, WBBM Radio (English), and WRTO Radio (Spanish).
Keys to Victory
Here are my keys to Monday’s game. If these things happen, the Bears should have a shot to win.
- Try to force Vikings turnovers. Darnold has not thrown an interception in the last four weeks. The Bears did not create any turnovers against the 49ers. To pull the upset they are going to need to jump on a couple of mistakes.
- Be ready to play at the opening kickoff. Chicago continued their troubling season-long trend of coming out completely flat to begin games last week. It’s going to have to be a priority for whoever becomes head coach in 2025.
- Get Caleb Williams back on track. The rookie QB had been making steady progress before getting knocked back by San Francisco. Brown and the coaching staff need to go back to calling quick passes and bootlegs to protect him from the pass rush.
Don’t Tell Me the Odds
The Vikings are favored by seven points at home against the Bears. Vegas expects a slightly below average scoring affair with an over/under set at 43.5.
It’s Football Weather
U.S. Bank Stadium is a dome so weather won’t be a factor in this one.
My Prediction
I think the Bears will put up a more lively effort in this game than last week. That being said, the Vikings are playing well right now and I think they will outlast Chicago. Minnesota will throw a touchdown late and pull out a 28-24 victory.
Official Bears Preview
Jeff Joniak, Tom Thayer, and Jim Miller review the Bears’ loss to the 49ers and give an exclusive preview of next Monday’s game against the Vikings in Minnesota.
