Minnesota Vikings

Six Points: Bears vs. Vikings

Published Dec. 18, 2015 8:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Minnesota Vikings (8-5) are searching for a playoff berth, but the Chicago Bears (5-8) will try to put a dent in their postseason hopes at TCF Bank Stadium this weekend. These two teams met at Soldier Field in Week 8, and the Vikings just barely escaped that road trip with a 23-20 win over the Bears.

Will Minnesota sweep the season series against this divisional opponent, or will Chicago exact revenge for a shortcoming in early November?

Here are three keys to the game for both the Bears and the Vikings.

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1. Load up the box, but rush wisely

The Bears' first priority should be to stop Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, who leads the league with 1,251 yards this season. In order to do that, they're going to have to load up the box with defenders. However, the Bears must be careful not to rush into the backfield too wildly. Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is cool under pressure, so he can hurt them with a well-disguised play-action or an unexpected screen pass. Chicago's defense must be disciplined.

2. Pick a hot hand and stick with it

This back-and-forth between veteran Matt Forte and rookie Jeremy Langford at running back is not going to end well. Last week, Langford (3.4 yards per carry) got more playing time and more touches, even though Forte (4.5 YPC) was the more efficient runner. It's all right to employ one of these backs as a change-of-pace ball-carrier, but the Bears are better off picking a hot hand and sticking to it rather than forcing an even split. This should improve Chicago's rhythm on the ground.

3. Build up Robbie Gould's confidence

Bears kicker Robbie Gould has struggled as of late, with three huge misfires on field-goal attempts in the past two weeks. The offense needs to be somewhat conservative on Minnesota's half of the field in order to build up Gould's confidence. For example, if facing a third-and-long on the edge of field-goal range, take the underneath yardage and shorten the attempt rather than going for it all. Don't attempt any field goals longer than 45 yards in the first half, for another miss could send Gould even deeper into his slump.

1. Reestablish Stefon Diggs' impact

Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs has disappeared in recent weeks. After leading the team in receiving yards for six straight games, his yardage total has steadily declined in four consecutive games (three losses and only one win). Adrian Peterson does a lot of the heavy lifting on offense, and he would benefit greatly from the rookie reemerging as a respectable receiving threat. The Vikings need a healthier offensive balance, and Diggs can deliver that by reestablishing his impact in the passing game.

2. Jump on the Bears early and pile it on

The Bears are a team that likes to hang around. They don't always win, but they're almost always good for a scare. The Vikings need to show that they're the more dominant team in the division (and that they belong in the playoffs) by putting the Bears away early. If the Vikings don't roll to an easy victory at home, the Bears could bite them in a game they should win. A loss would mark Minnesota's fourth in five weeks, making the team's late-season collapse a very real thing.

3. Shadow Alshon Jeffery with a safety

The Vikings are still dealing with some key injuries on defense, so they'll have to take extra precaution when it comes to stopping Chicago's most dangerous offensive weapon. Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery will draw No. 1 cornerback Xavier Rhodes, but he should also draw the attention of a safety. Jeffery is averaging just under 100 yards per game, but the Vikings can shut him down if safety Harrison Smith returns from a hamstring injury that has sidelined him the past two weeks.