The Chicago Bears square off in a divisional Week 6 showdown with the Minnesota Vikings this Sunday, and it’s shaping up to be one of the more exciting NFC North battles in a long while.
Justin Fields and the offense finally began to click, averaging 34 points in the past two games, and the defense took some big steps forward in getting sacks and turnovers. Conversely, the Vikings find themselves in an extremely winnable game, even without star receiver Justin Jefferson.
Whether the Bears win or lose, the game should be a fun one. Let’s go over every key matchup from the game and discuss what Chicago needs to do move up the ladder of the NFC North.
1
QB Justin Fields vs. Vikings secondary
Sunday’s game is shaping up to be an offensive showcase after considering both teams’ ability to gain yards and put up points, which means Fields will need to keep up his recent level of play if his squad is come out of Week 6 victorious. While Minnesota doesn’t have any defensive back on the roster that can be considered a lock-down player, Fields should be extra wary when throwing in the vicinity of cornerback Byron Murphy and long-time, hard-hitting safety Harrison Smith. Murphy is a physically gifted defender who has decent size at the position, and Smith’s wisdom from his many years of NFL play can make life difficult for the Bears offense.
Fields only has to continue what he’s done in the last couple of weeks: understand the play, throw the ball with anticipation, be decisive when the play breaks down and don’t turn the ball over. Chicago’s first divisional victory of the season is within reach if Fields can keep up his level of recent play.
2
Bears offensive line vs. Vikings defensive line
For Fields to have another stellar game, he’ll need to rely on his offensive line to be the protective unit that they were last week. The Vikings defensive front isn’t nearly as dangerous as the Commanders were on paper, but any slip-up of the O-line can be disastrous for the offense. The offensive line’s coaches should have been emphasizing the importance of containing Minnesota outside linebacker Danielle Hunter in practice this week, who has produced six sacks and nine tackles-for-loss this season.
Hunter will most likely look to secure his prey on the left side of the offensive line, since backup left tackle Larry Borom has struggled at times after he stepped in for the injured Braxton Jones. Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy will need to be aware of where Hunter has positioned himself on any given play and give the line some support when blocking him. Getsy will have a tight end work a double team block with the lineman on running plays and have the tight end chip Hunter to give Fields that extra second to throw.
The offensive line rose above expectations and dominated in both pass protection and run blocking in Week 5. An encore performance is expected to be seen in Week 6.
3
Bears secondary vs. Vikings receivers
The Bears caught a major break this week when the Vikings placed All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson on injured reserve, saving the defense the embarrassment of getting manhandled by the gifted pass catcher all Sunday afternoon. Chicago is sorely mistaken if they think it will be smooth sailing defending the pass with Jefferson gone, as Minnesota still has a couple of skilled players in its holster.
The deadly trio of Vikings pass catchers has now become just a duo; the electric rookie Jordan Addison and talented tight end T.J. Hockensen will now be the premier targets for quarterback Kirk Cousins. Containing the two will be a difficult task for an underperforming Bears defense, but it’s not impossible. The plan should be to task the linebackers with running with Hockensen in man coverage and to fixate on his location when he runs routes over the middle in zone. The Bears have to do a better job of covering Hockensen than they did Travis Kelce a few weeks ago, and not let him run free over the middle of the field.
Addison could be a major issue for Chicago’s secondary. The team doesn’t have an ultra-fast cornerback that can keep the rookie in check in one-on-one coverage. It’s expected that corner Jaylon Johnson will return from injury this Sunday, so his presence should help in keeping Addison in line. A safety will need to swing over to Addison’s side of the field to help the cornerback in over-the-top coverage, which will allow the corner to be more aggressive at the point of attack.
The safeties, whether that includes starter Eddie Jackson or not, need to generally be more instinctual when attacking the ball. If Addison turns on the rocket boots and starts flying down the sideline, the safeties need to be already anticipating it and taking an angle that will allow them to intercept or deflect the ball. That anticipation is even more crucial with passes over the middle, as there have been too many instances this season where a receiver runs right behind the linebackers and in front of the safeties for chunk yards. If a safety is playing a “robber” role, which otherwise means they are playing the middle of the field, they will have to be ready for that in-breaking route, because it’ll be coming. Opposing offenses know that is where Chicago is most vulnerable, so they’ll keep chipping away at it until the Bears go down.
Absolutely no one expects the Bears to restrain the Vikings offense to anything less than 30 points and 300 yards. The offense will more likely than not be going blow for blow with Minnesota, and the defense needs to reciprocate that same level of effort if Chicago is to officially go on a winning streak.
