Each week, BringMeTheNews analyzes the Vikings’ upcoming game from both sides, providing you with “5 key reasons the Vikings should be worried.” This week the Vikings play their final game of the season agains the Chicago Bears
For 5 key reasons the Vikings will win, click here.
5. Bears’ shopping trip adds pressure
The day after Christmas, when it falls on a Friday, is basically part two of Black Friday. If the Bears had their way, they’d be going store-to-store in search of some new talent. Are you reading this head coach Marc Trestman, general manager Phil Emery and pretty much everyone on that roster?
We hear it all the time during training camp: competition is good. With the possibility of a new head coach and GM coming to Chicago, very few players are safe and it could inspire them to leave one last positive image in new management’s mind.
4. Forte for the record
Matt Forte needs just eight receptions to break the NFL record for most catches by a running back in a season, according to the Chicago Sun Times. Former Cardinals fullback Larry Centers set the record with 101 receptions in 1995. Forte leads all running backs in 2014 with 94 receptions and 785 yards. He also has 987 rushing yards.
Slowing down Forte was a problem for the Vikings in their 21-13 loss at Soldier Field in November. He rushed for 117 yards and caught six passes for 58 yards.
3. Alshon Jeffery
The second-year receiver, formerly labeled as “fat,” has killed the Vikings. In four career games against Minnesota, Jeffery has 27 receptions for 452 yards and four touchdowns. When it comes to yardage and touchdowns, he’s torched the Vikings more than he’s torched any other team, according to Pro Football Reference.
2. The Chicago Brrrrrrrrrs
It’s going to be cold in Minneapolis on Sunday. The National Weather Service is forecasting a high of 25 degrees. The Bears sort of thrive in games with sub-freezing temperatures. In their ten most recent sub-freezing games, they’re an impressive 7-3, including a pair of wins against the Vikings, according to ChicagoBears.com.
- Dec. 20, 2010: Bears 40, Vikings 14 (23 degrees, TCF Bank Stadium)
- Dec. 28, 2009: Bears 36, Vikings 30 (26 degrees, Soldier Field)
1. Cutler the Viking slayer
It’s nearly impossible to find a positive story about Bears quarterback Jay Cutler right now. After signing a mega contract worth $126 million last January, Cutler could be on his way out of town. Just look at the headline in the Chicago Sun Times after Cutler was benched for last week’s game against Detroit.
Historically, however, Cutler has been fairly dominant against the Vikings. According to Pro Football Reference, Cutler is is 8-2 with 23 touchdowns in ten career starts against Minnesota – the most wins and touchdowns he has against any team in the league.
