Vikings vs. Bears: Three things to watch

The Vikings head to Chicago for a Sunday night clash against the Bears. This is a crucial game for both teams in terms of crowning a division champ later in the season. I feel like there’s going to be a lot of physical, smash mouth football.

Without further ado here’s this week’s less serious ‘Three things to watch’:

Vikes O-line vs. Khalil Mack

I’m just going to say it, Khalil Mack is a beast. If people don’t think that I truly want to know why. He came back last week from being absent two weeks and made it seem like he didn’t miss a beat. He recorded two sacks and five tackles on the night against Detroit, as well as getting two quarterback hits.

Mack isn’t the only person on that Bears defense that knows how to shut it down. Akeim Hicks is really lethal, typically he’s lined up on the opposite of where Khalil is planning on going. He’s someone to watch out for as he’s had three forced fumbles and three sacks on the year.

Last week against Detroit the Bears sacked Matthew Stafford a total of six times. That’s rookie numbers compared to the ten sacks the Vikings put down on Stafford the week before Detroit played Chicago.

Expect Bears to try and solidify the run game

The Vikings D will shut down Mitchell Trubisky. I fear for him, Linval Joseph, Everson Griffen, Harrison Smith, everyone on that Vikings defense is out to tear that young buck a new one. I honestly don’t see Trubisky and Matt Nagy get the pass game going. I do however feel like Tarik Cohen and Jordan Howard can have a big day in the rush game. I get Howard hasn’t had the best season in terms of rushing, but he’s due for a big day.

According to ESPN the Vikings D has averaged about 89 rush yards a game. That’s only 11 yards away a game from averaging 100 yards. Chicago has averaged about 120 rush yards a game. In comparison, Minnesota averaged 92 yards a game.

Chicago’s passing game is ranked 20th with 243 yards a game. Trubisky has only thrown seven interceptions and has only been sacked 18 times this season, but that’s only because the Bears haven’t played the Vikings yet!

We’re going to see classic Joseph and Griffen

Primetime and these two monsters will be ready to go. I feel like I’m extra hyped for this game, mainly because I’m already a couple drinks in. But, I truly feel like these two are going to have a big game. Griffen and Joseph will sack Trubisky total of five times. I feel like that’s pretty reasonable. Joseph will get to Mitch twice and Griffen will crack him three times.

Let’s not forget about Joseph’s fumble recovery where he went running for a 64-yard touchdown. We’re not just going to see those two at top form Sunday night, we’re going to see the Vikings defense that we should have been seeing all year. Normally I get sort of analytical in these articles, but really I just want to get hyped for the game. It’s my birthday weekend and the Vikings are going Bear hunting down in Chicago.

Predictions:

• Vikings pull off the dubski, 24-17 (look it that, I used numbers other than “1, 2 and 3” yippie).
• Cousins gets sacked a few times, but that’s not going to stop him from throwing for 275 yards and two touchdowns.
• Defense/Special teams will get some points on the board.
• Dalvin Cook will rush for 75 yards.