Bears Offense

Ranked overall (32), rush (23), pass (30), and scoring (24).

Bears Defense

Ranked overall (24), rush (26), pass (16), and scoring (10).

Vikings Offense

Ranked overall (11), rush (17), pass (8), and scoring (9).

Vikings Defense

Ranked overall (17), rush (2), pass (29), and scoring (6).

Turnover Differential

Bears plus-10; Vikings plus-8.

Bears Player to Watch

Quarterback Caleb Williams aims to bounce back after a performance against Minnesota where he threw for 340 yards and two touchdowns. Last week, he managed only 134 passing yards and struggled under pressure, being sacked seven times. Despite the setback, Williams extended his record for passes without an interception to 255, maintaining an impressive streak. Under new interim coach Thomas Brown’s guidance, Williams showed great potential in prior games, achieving a passer rating of 99.2.

Vikings Player to Watch

Quarterback Sam Darnold has had a standout season, notably last week against Atlanta where he threw for 325 yards and five touchdowns. His performance has rewritten records, and he was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his outstanding display. Darnold becomes the first Vikings player since 2004 to achieve five touchdown passes in a single game, marking a career renaissance.

Key Matchup

The duel between Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson and Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson will be pivotal. Johnson, a Pro Bowl selection last season, successfully limited Jefferson to minimal gains in their previous encounter, although his performance included two pass interference calls. The Bears’ strategy employed heavy safety assistance, which inadvertently exposed other offensive players like Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson.

Key Injuries

Bears’ backup running back Roschon Johnson is out due to a concussion, with G Ryan Bates and S Elijah Hicks also sidelined. For the Vikings, cornerback Stephon Gilmore and outside linebacker Patrick Jones missed last week’s matchup due to hamstring and knee injuries, respectively.

Series Notes

The Vikings have dominated recent matchups, winning six out of the last seven meetings. Their only loss came during a Monday night game last season. This marks the sixth Monday night showdown between the two teams in the last nine years, with recent matchups trending towards Minnesota.

Stats and Additional Insights

The Bears are facing a tough stretch, having lost seven consecutive games, and they rank poorly in one-possession matchups. Coach Brown guides the Bears in their second game following multiple coaching changes. Meanwhile, statistics reflect that the Vikings are a strong team capable of clinching their playoff spot soon.

Fantasy Tip

Look out for Bears wide receiver D.J. Moore, who has been consistently productive, maintaining a streak of games with six or more receptions, including a previous successful outing against Minnesota. The Vikings have allowed a concerning amount of passing yards over recent weeks.