Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears: Complete Week 11 Preview for Chicago
Just when it looked like it could not get any worse for the Chicago Bears following their blowout loss to the New England Patriots in Week 8, they ran into a buzz saw in Green Bay in Week 10.
The Packers raced out to a 42-0 lead at halftime and finished the game with 451 yards of total offense en route to a 55-14 victory.
The Bears have now lost three games in a row and are failing to live up to the lofty expectations placed on them when the season began.
"Before the season, it seemed like we had everyone we needed. And 3-6 is the reality of it, and we're not very good," wide receiver Brandon Marshall said after the team's loss to Green Bay, via Jon Greenberg of ESPNChicago.com.
After allowing 55 points to the Packers on Sunday Night Football, Chicago became the first team since 1923 to allow 50-plus points in back-to-back games, via ESPN's Adam Schefter:
"Bears are second team in NFL history to allow at least 50 points in consecutive games, joining 1923 Rochester Jeffersons (who?), per Elias.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 10, 2014"
Despite Chicago's struggles in its last two games, the team opted not to make any changes to its coaching staff.
“I’ve stood behind the guys that are working here because I’ve been around a lot of coaches over the years," head coach Marc Trestman said, via Kevin Fishbain of ChicagoFootball.com. "They’re extremely demanding on the field and in the classroom. I think we’ve got excellent coaches here.”
With his coaching staff still intact, Trestman and the Bears will now shift their focus toward the Minnesota Vikings.
The Vikings sit with a 4-5 record and are in third place in the NFC North division. They have struggled on offense, averaging just 316.4 yards per game, but they are ninth in total defense, allowing just 326.3 yards per game.
A win against the Vikings will not salvage the Bears' season, but it will help instill some fight into a team that has lacked effort and execution in recent weeks.
Here is our Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears preview for Week 11.
Chicago Bears' Week 10 Recap
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Needing a win to keep their slim playoff chances alive, the Chicago Bears could not do anything right when they squared off against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football.
"We're all looking for answers right now, and we don't really have a lot,” quarterback Jay Cutler said after Chicago's 55-14 loss, via Larry Mayer of ChicagoBears.com.
Cutler threw for 272 yards and one touchdown, but he turned the football over three times, including an interception that was returned for a score by Green Bay's Casey Hayward.
While Chicago was struggling to find balance and a rhythm on offense, the defense had no answers for Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers. He finished the night with 315 passing yards and six touchdowns.
Chicago's defense as a whole gave up 451 total yards, and defense end Jared Allen was disappointed in the team's performance on defense.
"This is our job—you either show up or don't—bottom line," Allen said, via Jeff Arnold of ChicagoFootball.com. "We don't need rah-rah speeches; we don't need any of that stuff. This isn't Pop Warner. There's nothing anybody says that's going to change anything."
The game was riddled with poor execution on both sides of the football, and head coach Trestman knows his team has the ability to play much better than it did on Sunday night.
"As I told our players, there's a good team in there somewhere because we've seen signs of it this year," Trestman said, via Arnold. "But we're not a good team right now."
The Bears have a chance in Week 11 against the Minnesota Vikings to keep their slim playoff hopes alive, but they are going to need to look more like the team that came away with victories against the San Francisco 49ers, New York Jets and Atlanta Falcons than the team they have been in recent weeks.
News and Notes
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The Bears Are Not Considering Benching Jay Cutler
After Cutler turned the football over three times on Sunday night against the Green Bay Packers, Trestman did not hint at the team making a change at quarterback.
"I think we've got to go back and get ready for Minnesota," Trestman said on Monday, via Michael C. Wright of ESPNChicago.com. "With that in mind, Jay's got to play better. He's got to play better, but he can't do it alone. He's got to play better just like the rest of us do."
Trestman blamed the team as a whole for the loss against Green Bay, but he continued to reiterate that Cutler needs to play better.
"He didn't play well enough yesterday, and we didn't play well enough," Trestman said, via Wright. "I'm certain he'd take accountability for that. But it's very clear he did not play well enough yesterday. We can't sugarcoat that."
Cutler has turned the football over 15 times this season, tying him with rookie Blake Bortles for the most turnovers in the NFL.
Cutler will keep his job for now, but if he continues to turn the football over like he has, Trestman may need to bench him in favor of backup Jimmy Clausen.
Marquess Wilson Is Poised to Make Season Debut on Sunday
A seventh-round pick of the Bears in 2013, wide receiver Marquess Wilson played in 10 games last season, hauling in two catches for 13 yards.
Despite his limited production last season, he was expected to solidify himself as the No. 3 wide receiver in training camp before he broke his clavicle back in early August. He was placed on injured reserve with designation to return in August and was listed as day to day earlier this week, via Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune:
"Bears HC Marc Trestman: WR Marquess Wilson (collarbone/fitness) is day-to-day this week.
— Rich Campbell (@Rich_Campbell) November 12, 2014"
He has yet to be fully cleared for Sunday, but the team did waive veteran wide receiver Santonio Holmes earlier this week, prompting the Chicago Sun-Times' Adam Jahns to speculate Wilson will return this week:
"#Bears waive WR Santonio Holmes. Looks like Marquess Wilson is ready to go.
— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) November 11, 2014"
If Wilson is indeed cleared to play on Sunday, he would immediately give the offense a much-needed deep threat.
Mike Ditka Doesn't Think the Bears Have Pride
The Bears have not won a game since they defeated the Atlanta Falcons on October 12, and former head coach Mike Ditka thinks the team lacks leadership and pride.
"I don’t see a lot of leadership; I don’t see a lot of pride in what’s going on," Ditka said, via Dan Cahill of the Chicago Sun-Times. "I see a lot of guys going through the motions."
He continued:
"The Bears have gone through some tough times. They are not playing well. It’s very simple. The defense is not good. I don’t see a lot of leadership out of certain players. I think they have a problem. Marc [Trestman] knows that as well as anybody. You can blame anyone you want for what’s going on, and usually it’s the coach.
"
Given all the struggles the Bears have had this season, it is hard not to put the blame on Trestman. His team has vastly underachieved this season considering all the talent it has on offense. Unless the Bears can find some leadership and pride, it is going to be a long winter in Chicago.
Injury Report
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| Eben Britton | OL | Out |
| Darryl Sharpton | LB | Out |
| Terrance Mitchell | CB | Probable |
| Brandon Marshall | WR | Probable |
| Tim Jennings | CB | Probable |
| Jordan Mills | OT | Doubtful |
| Josh Morgan | WR | Questionable |
| Martellus Bennett | TE | Probable |
| Cornelius Washington | DE | Probable |
| Trevor Scott | DE | Out |
All injury statuses from Kevin Fishbain of ChicagoFootball.com and reflect Friday's practice.
Wide receiver Brandon Marshall injured his ankle against the Green Bay Packers in Week 10, but he does not plan on missing this Sunday's game, via Chicago Bears radio network sideline reporter Zach Zaidman:
"#Bears WR Brandon Marshall to @insidetheNFL on his sprained ankle: "I'll be out there Sunday ready to roll."
— Zach Zaidman (@ZachZaidman) November 12, 2014"
Right tackle Jordan Mills missed practice earlier in the week, and Trestman said on Thursday that Mills has a rib injury, via Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times:
"#Bears coach Marc Trestman said Jordan Mills has a "muscular" injury around his rib.
— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) November 13, 2014"
If Mills is unable to play on Sunday, Michael Ola will likely take over at right tackle, with Brian de la Puente at left guard.
Darryl Sharpton and Martellus Bennett practiced in a limited capacity, while Terrance Mitchell, Josh Morgan, Eben Britton and Trevor Scott were all held out of Thursday's practice.
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X-Factor and Matchups to Watch
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Bears Defensive Line vs. Matt Asiata
After a historically bad year against the run in 2013, the Bears defense has done a better job this season of slowing down opposing running backs.
The Bears gave up the most rushing yards per game last season with 161.4 yards, and they also gave up the second-most rushing touchdowns in the NFL with 22. This season they are giving up an average of 112.6 yards per game and have only allowed five rushing touchdowns.
Even though the Vikings have been without Adrian Peterson for much of the season, they are still in the top 10 in rushing yards this season, averaging 119.3 yards per game.
With Peterson out of the lineup, the Vikings have used a two-back system with rookie Jerick McKinnon and third-year man Matt Asiata. McKinnon has been the more explosive running back, rushing for 446 yards on 90 carries, but he has not scored a touchdown this season. On the other hand, Asiata has rushed for just 277 yards on 84 carries but has six touchdowns.
It will be imperative for the Bears defensive line to keep McKinnon in check and prevent him from making big plays, but keeping Asiata out of the end zone should be the top priority.
Asiata's six touchdowns have him tied for fourth most in the NFL, but all of his touchdowns came in just two games. He scored three against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4 and three against Washington in Week 9.
The key for the Bears defensive line will be to eliminate Minnesota's chances on the goal line, which is an area Asiata has excelled at this season, via Sports Illustrated's Andy Benoit:
"Film: #Vikings success running in short red zone. Asiata has been a good goal-line runner this year.
— Andy Benoit (@Andy_Benoit) November 7, 2014"
Asiata is at his best running between the tackles, which means defensive tackles Stephen Paea and Jeremiah Ratliff are going to need to be stout at the point of attack on Sunday afternoon. Asiata is not a threat to break a long run, but Paea and Ratliff are going to need to be on their toes when the Vikings get near the goal line.
Jared Allen vs. Matt Kalil
The fourth overall pick in the 2012 draft, Vikings left tackle Matt Kalil has struggled this season.
Named to the Pro Bowl following his rookie season, Kalil began his career in Minnesota looking like he was going to develop into one of the league's best left tackles.
According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), he finished the 2012 season with a plus-12.1 grade. He allowed just two sacks, two quarterback hits and 19 quarterback hurries. He began to decline last season, allowing four sacks, 12 quarterback hits and 33 quarterback hurries.
This season has not been any better for Kalil. In nine games he has allowed 10 sacks, four quarterback hits and 20 quarterback hurries. His 10 sacks allowed are the most in the NFL.
Kalil's struggles this season should bode well for Bears defensive end Jared Allen.
Allen was one of Chicago's biggest free-agent acquisitions this offseason, but he has failed to make much of an impact. He has played well against the run, registering 32 tackles, but he has just 1.5 sacks in eight games.
Allen spent two years lining up against Kalil in practice while in Minnesota, and he knows Kalil is a good player.
"He's a good player. He still has good feet. He still has good technique," Allen said, via ESPN.com's Ben Goessling. "We're going to have to take advantages of situations, because he knows me, I know him and we're going to have to see who's better that day."
Many have accused Allen of losing a step from last year, but Kalil doesn't see it.
"People say he only has 1.5 sacks, but there were probably eight or nine plays where he was just a hand away," Kalil said, via Goessling. "So, I don't think he's really lost a step at all. I've heard people saying that. But he still has a knack for the ball, a knack for making plays."
If Allen can revert back to the player he used to be while in Minnesota on Sunday afternoon, he has a good chance to notch his first sack since Week 7.
X-Factor of the Week: Matt Forte
While Chicago has struggled in many areas on offense this season, running back Matt Forte has been one of the team's most consistent performers week in and week out.
He is seventh in the NFL in rushing yards with 616, and his 61 catches are tied for fifth most in the league. According to the Football Database, Forte has 1,133 total yards from scrimmage, third most in the league behind DeMarco Murray and Le'Veon Bell.
If the Bears want to win on Sunday, the key will be to get Forte going early and often.
Minnesota is stout up front along the defensive line, but it is allowing 112.8 rushing yards per game this season. Defensive tackles Sharrif Floyd and Linval Joseph anchor the middle of Minnesota's defensive line, while defensive ends Everson Griffen and Brian Robison control the outside.
The Bears have discussed wanting to run the football more with Forte and finding more balance, but they once again deviated from the game plan against the Packers in Week 10, via Dan Durkin of 670TheScore.com:
"#Bears talked about seeking more balance on offense, yet six of first eight plays were passes against the league's worst run defense.
— dan durkin (@djdurkin) November 10, 2014"
If the Bears can stay committed to the running game with Forte against Minnesota, he has a good shot at being the team's X-factor on Sunday afternoon.
Prediction
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The Chicago Bears are set to play their 10th game of the season this Sunday, and nobody really knows what to make of this team.
They have shown flashes on offense, defense and special teams on occasion this season, but they have failed to put together a solid, all-around effort on the field since they defeated the Atlanta Falcons on October 12.
Trestman noted the team needs to go back and figure out what made it so successful against the Falcons. The Chicago Tribune's Brad Biggs thinks the answer is pretty simple:
"Trestman says #Bears have to figure out how they played 4 quarters vs. Atlanta? Because the #Falcons are not good? One place to start.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) November 10, 2014"
To come away with a victory, Cutler is going to need to protect the football, and Matt Forte will need to find the end zone.
Cutler is 5-1 in his last six starts against Minnesota, throwing for 1,438 yards with 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions. In Forte's last six games against Minnesota, he has rushed for 491 yards with 27 catches for 187 yards, but he has not scored a touchdown against the Vikings since his rookie season back in 2008.
On the other side of the football, Chicago's defensive line is going to need to get after the quarterback.
Teddy Bridgewater, the 32nd overall pick in this past May's draft, will start for Minnesota on Sunday afternoon. He has thrown for 1,321 yards in six games with three touchdowns and five interceptions. All five of his interceptions came in a two-game stretch against the Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills in which he was sacked a combined 13 times. If Chicago can put pressure on the young quarterback, it has a real shot at coming away with a victory.
If the Bears can find consistency on both sides of the football, they may finally come away with their first victory at home this season.
Prediction: Bears 24, Vikings 20
Record/statistical information provided via email from the Chicago Bears or NFL.com.
Matt Eurich is an NFL/Chicago Bears Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and a member of the Pro Football Writers of America.
Follow @MattEurich
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