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Consternation spread across Chicago after the Bears lost to the New York Giants 20-12 in a low-scoring, error-filled game in Week 4. Things could get even uglier Sunday in Minnesota against a more talented and healthier Vikings team. The Bears likely will need to play a near-perfect game to pull off an upset at U.S. Bank Stadium. In the lead-up to kickoff, here’s a snapshot look at the matchup.
Do the Bears have what it takes to stop the run?
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As much justifiable talk as there has been this week about the Bears’ need to limit Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson, defensive coordinator Alan Williams knows the Vikings certainly have taken note of his unit’s inability to handle anyone on the ground. The Bears have given up a league-worst 183.3 rushing yards in their 2-2 start and were gashed again Sunday by Saquon Barkley and the New York Giants for a season-worst 262 yards.
With that in mind, Williams expects Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell to put together a game plan that leans heavily on running back Dalvin Cook.
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Said Williams: “They’re going to say, ‘Hey, they’re coming into our house and we’re going to run the ball down their throat and then play-action pass and get over their head.’ That’s what the stats say to do. So we’ll see if the stats lie or not.”
Williams has been dissatisfied with the Bears’ efforts to stop the run over four games and has identified a handful of issues that have contributed to those struggles. In some instances, the Bears simply have struggled to tackle well. In others, they have been slow to fit properly. A lack of eye discipline has been problematic at times too.
On top of all that, Williams has seen several instances of players trying to do too much.
“The problematic thing is everyone wants to make every play,” Williams said. “Everyone wants to help out. And sometimes that can lead to, ‘Hey, I’m not in my gap because I’m going to help another guy over here.’ ”
If the Bears don’t clean up those issues quickly, it could become a long day Sunday.
“You can’t let people run the ball down your throat,” Williams said. “You just can’t.”
Lucas Patrick and Teven Jenkins
After splitting reps at right guard over the first four games, Patrick and Jenkins are now needed for full-time duty after a knee injury sent captain Cody Whitehair to injured reserve at least through October. All signs point to Patrick starting in Whitehair’s slot at left guard, a position at which he has made eight career starts. Jenkins, meanwhile, should get a more expansive opportunity to continue his development inside on the right side.
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The Bears have been impressive up front in the running game with the offense averaging 177.3 rushing yards per game and 5.2 yards per attempt. Jenkins in particular has shown his nasty edge as a run blocker, demonstrating growth after being bumped inside to guard during the preseason.
Still, more sturdiness is needed in pass protection to support quarterback Justin Fields, who remains behind the steering wheel for the league’s worst passing attack.
As coaches continue pushing Fields to improve his pocket presence and poise, the line’s ability to keep the pocket clean more consistently will be a big deal. That means the demands on Patrick, Jenkins and center Sam Mustipher will remain high.
Velus Jones in the return game
After his crucial late-game fumble on a punt return in Sunday’s loss, Jones vowed to use that giveaway as motivation.
“It’s really frustrating,” he said after the game. “I’m definitely going to let this one sit and hurt.”
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That said, Bears special teams coordinator Richard Hightower has no hesitation about keeping Jones as his kickoff and punt returner.
“I haven’t lost any confidence in Velus,” Hightower said Thursday. “I’m glad no one ever gave up on me after the first mistake I made. That’s how guys get better. You’ve got to give him chances.”
Hightower also isn’t worried about any psychological scarring for Jones stemming from the blunder. “We are talking about V12,” he said. “He is so confident. Super confident.”
For the Bears to pull off an upset, they’ll need key contributions on special teams. Jones is a prime candidate to provide a big play or two.
Beyond that, it will be interesting to see how involved — if at all — the rookie will be on offense. He didn’t play a single offensive snap in his NFL debut. You would have to figure that would change soon, perhaps as soon as Sunday with the Bears needing some potential big-play sizzle from anywhere they can get it.
Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy took exception Thursday to a question about whether Fields’ “rough first month” might shake his confidence and hinder his development.
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“I don’t think he’s had a rough month,” Getsy objected. “He’s gotten better each week. He’s growing tremendously.”
A few statistical measures back that assertion. Fields ranks 32nd in the NFL by a wide margin in completion percentage (50.7), completions (34), passing yards (471) and passer rating (58.7). As a team, the Bears rank in the bottom 10 in third-down conversion percentage (.340). They also are coming off a Week 4 showing without a touchdown and entered Thursday night ahead of only the Indianapolis Colts in points scored.
Consequently, conversation is certain to mushroom around the rosy picture Getsy tried to paint Thursday.
“It’s not easy to become the level of quarterback he wants to become and that I know he can become,” Getsy said. “The important thing is that we stay focused, keep our eyes on that progress or on that process and we make sure we get better each week. I believe we’re in that phase.”
Getsy almost certainly was trying to take some pressure off Fields. And he did openly criticize several shaky throws and poor decisions from Fields in the loss.
At a minimum, the Bears must find a way to enliven their passing offense soon. But Getsy was quick to point out that he is the offensive coordinator, not just the Fields coordinator, and that a lot of factors are contributing to the team’s struggles.
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“Everybody wants to evaluate the quarterback all the time,” Getsy said. “And I get it. It’s all good. (But) this is a process for all 11. There are so many factors (contributing) to what’s going on around Justin. To just sit here and say, ‘Oh, we’re only focused on “Is this guy going to be the guy or not?” ’ that’s literally not even on my mind.”
David Montgomery’s return to practice Thursday afternoon — just 11 days after he suffered a right ankle injury in a win over the Houston Texans — was promising. Montgomery was a limited participant and has the luxury of taking his time to get right with Khalil Herbert more than capable of holding things down in the backfield. But depending on how his ankle responds over the next few days, Montgomery is pushing to be back in action soon.
“We’re just going to see how I feel Sunday,” Montgomery said.
With as painful as Montgomery’s injury seemed when it happened, his quick recovery is reassuring.
“I’m always encouraged every opportunity I get to get around the guys,” he said. “It’s super encouraging to be out there and practicing.”
Cornerback Jaylon Johnson, meanwhile, missed his sixth consecutive practice with a quadriceps injury. His absence for Sunday is looking more likely and will leave the Bears short-handed in their efforts to slow Vikings receivers Jefferson, Adam Thielen and K.J. Osborn. Linebacker Sterling Weatherford (illness) and safety Dane Cruikshank (hamstring) were the only other Bears who didn’t practice Thursday. Justin Jones (hip) and Ryan Griffin (Achilles tendon) were limited.
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Matt Eberflus maintains he has seen improvement from the passing game on the practice field lately. If that can lead to production during a game, maybe the offense has a chance to start producing. Until then, it’s coach-speak. A run defense in search of answers has to stop Dalvin Cook while also preventing wide receiver Justin Jefferson, one of the best in the league, from beating it over the top. One wild card in play: The Vikings chose not to have a bye this week after playing the New Orleans Saints in London on Sunday. If they’re travel-weary, perhaps the Bears can take advantage, but the Vikings have a huge advantage when it comes to offensive playmakers, and the expected absence of cornerback Jaylon Johnson is a factor.
Vikings 31, Bears 17
Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson always was going to be a big concern. But with Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson still recovering from a quad injury this week, I’m wondering if Jefferson can put up numbers like he did against the Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints — 184 and 147 receiving yards, respectively. Then again, the Vikings might not need to throw it much if Dalvin Cook can run right through a Bears defense that is worst in the league with 183.3 rushing yards allowed per game. The Vikings defense has given up 24 points or more over the last three games after shutting down the Packers in Week 1. But nothing to this point tells me the Bears offense will be able to keep pace with the Vikings.
Vikings 27, Bears 17
The loss of captain Cody Whitehair from the interior of the offensive line and the continued absence of Jaylon Johnson from the secondary will be too much for the Bears to overcome in a matchup that promises to strain them. The Bears haven’t yet shown an ability to consistently stop the run or establish a 21st century-caliber passing attack. Until further notice, their overall inferiority will be difficult to overcome.
Vikings 27, Bears 13
