Chicago Bears

Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears: Who Has the Advantage?

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Things may get even scarier for Chicago Bears fans this Halloween. Week 8 of the 2016 NFL season will feature a Monday night matchup between the NFC North leading Minnesota Vikings and the 1-6 Bears. The Vikings are coming off of their first defeat of the year, and are looking to get back on track by adding yet another loss to Chicago’s disappointing record. If the Bears can find a way to penetrate Minnesota’s top-ranked defense, they could go into their bye week on a much-needed positive note.

Both teams are dealing with numerous injuries, and could possibly be without key players. However, looking at the entire picture, this could still be a lopsided battle once all is said and done.

Bears’ Pass Offense vs. Vikings’ Pass Defense

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This will be the first time since Week 2 that the Bears will have Jay Cutler under center. Chicago’s pass offense is ranked a respectable 11th in the NFL, but that was largely in part of Brian Hoyer, who is now on injured reserve. With Cutler back in the mix, the Bears appear to have a much better chance at putting more points on the board, but that may be an extremely difficult task going up against Minnesota’s fourth-ranked pass defense (197.8 yards per game).

The Vikes have nine interceptions on the season (tied for second-most in the league), and Pro Bowl safety Harrison Smith has three career interceptions versus Cutler. And it doesn’t help that the Bears’ best offensive lineman, Kyle Long, is listed as doubtful with a triceps injury. This probably won’t be a welcomed return for Cutler.

Advantage: Vikings

Bears’ Run Offense vs. Vikings’ Run Defense

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Things have changed a lot in only a few weeks for Chicago’s running game. Rookie running back Jordan Howard seemed to be the answer to the Bears’ ground attack when he posted back-to-back 100-yard games. Unfortunately, Howard followed that up with two subpar performances in Weeks 6 and 7. In addition, the fifth-round draft pick has all of a sudden taken a backseat to fellow running back Ka’Deem Carey. Regardless of who gets the bulk of the carries on Monday night, Chicago will find it hard to penetrate Minnesota’s third-ranked run defense, even with Vikings defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd (knee) out.

Advantage: Vikings

Vikings’ Pass Offense vs. Bears’ Pass Defense

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Minnesota’s passing game isn’t a high-powered one, but Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford has managed the offense enough to get the job done. In four of Bradford’s five starts this season, he’s had a QB rating of 98.0 or better, and has thrown only one interception this year. Chicago’s 16th ranked pass defense might be highly dependent upon their pass rush to make up for the potential loss of cornerbacks Bryce Callahan and Rookie Deiondre’ Hall due to injuries.

Advantage: Vikings

Vikings’ Run Offense vs. Bears’ Run Defense

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With Adrian Peterson out of the picture, the Vikings’ running game has been virtually nonexistent. Through six games this season, running backs Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata have combined for only 375 rushing yards. Although Chicago’s run defense is ranked 17th in the NFL, they should have no problem against Minnesota’s ground attack.

Advantage: Bears

Special Teams

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Vikings kicker Blair Walsh hasn’t been Mr. Reliable as of late, and Bears kicker Connor Barth still hasn’t won the trust of all fans in the Windy City. Kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson, who’s averaging nearly 30 yards per kick return, may be on Minnesota’s sideline due to a concussion, but Marcus Sherels will be a threat in the punt return game for the Vikings. Sherels has returned two punts for touchdowns this year thus far, and did take one to the house against the Bears in 2015.

Advantage: Vikings

Coaching

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Nothing much to say here. Mike Zimmer has his Vikings at 5-1 to start the season, and has done so without quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and future Hall of Famer Adrian Peterson. John Fox has the Bears stumbling out of the gate at 1-6.

Advantage: Vikings

Who Has the Overall Advantage?

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This clash of the best and the worst in the NFC North should have a very predictable outcome. What this will basically come down to is the Bears’ struggling offense against the league’s stingiest defense. And as the old saying goes: Defense wins games.

Overall Advantage: Vikings