Why the Chicago Bears should beat the Minnesota Vikings in Week 5
As frustrating as the offense has been to watch early this season, the Chicago Bears could potentially exit week five in a tie for first place in the NFC North. If the Bears beat the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday and the Green Bay Packers lose to the New York Giants in London (not likely, but […]
As frustrating as the offense has been to watch early this season, the Chicago Bears could potentially exit week five in a tie for first place in the NFC North.
If the Bears beat the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday and the Green Bay Packers lose to the New York Giants in London (not likely, but possible), then Chicago will be tied atop the NFC North with Green Bay and Minnesota at 3-2.
Alright, so a lot of things have to go right for the Bears to end the weekend in first place. And one of those things — the Packers losing to the Giants — is out of Chicago's control.
Beating the Vikings, however, is something the Bears can do.
In fact, based on past history, I expect Chicago to get the win on Sunday in Minnesota.
Chicago head coach Matt Eberflus, for whatever reason, knows how to beat the Vikings. He knows how to attack Minnesota quarterback Kirk Cousins and force him into mistakes.
In 2020, Eberflus, then the defensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts, faced Cousins and the Vikings. The Colts' defense that day held Cousins to just 113 passing yards on 11-of-26 passing in a 28-11 win for Indy.
Cousins also threw three interceptions that day and had a 15.9 passer rating.
Chicago has plenty of issues. And most folks probably expect the Vikings to win this game.
But don't discount Eberflus' ability to perfectly defend Cousins. The Bears are relentless on defense and they have some elite talent — Robert Quinn, Roquan Smith, and Eddie Jackson — which could make this a long day for the Vikings.
It might not be pretty, but I think the Bears are leaving Minnesota with a win on Sunday.
Featured image via Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
