After briefly taking the lead in the NFC North, the Minnesota Vikings have fallen back to second place, a full game behind the Green Bay Packers. Although the Vikings still hold a Wild Card spot, if they want to remain in the division title race, they have to overcome the surprisingly frisky Chicago Bears on Sunday.
Bears vs. Vikings 2015 live stream: Game time, TV schedule and how to watch online
The Vikings look to stay alive in NFC North title race.
The Vikings’ season took a downward turn in Week 11 when they fell at home to the Packers, turning over control of the division. That game was the first of three that the team has dropped in the past month. The defense has taken a step backward, giving up an average of 25.3 points per game during that stretch.
Injuries have played a role in the decline, as pass rusher Anthony Barr and safety Harrison Smith have missed significant time, and top cornerback Xavier Rhodes has dealt with health issues of his own. The undermanned unit has been forced to use 37-year-old Terence Newman at multiple spots in the secondary while inexperienced rookie Trae Waynes has played more often than the team would prefer at this point in his career.
Meanwhile, Teddy Bridgewater and the offense haven't lit up the scoreboard. They haven't scored 21 or more points since Nov. 15, and have twice been held below 14. The poor production isn't entirely on Bridgewater, who has faced constant pressure behind an atrocious offensive line. For the unit to get back on track, the line needs to better protect its quarterback while continuing to open up holes for Adrian Peterson and the ground game.
Peterson has scored at least one touchdown in all but one of his previous six games, and doesn’t appear to be slowing down as the season nears its conclusion. However, he may need to return to MVP form if the passing game continues to flounder.
As for the Bears, the 2015 season has been a source of both promise and frustration. Few expected much of the team entering the year, yet new head coach John Fox and his staff pulled out victories over the Raiders, Chiefs and Packers, better teams with viable playoff hopes. At the same time, Chicago dropped six games by eight points or fewer. Most recently, Robbie Gould missed a game-tying field goal to give Washington a 24-21 win. Had the Bears avoided some of their mistakes, perhaps they would be battling for the lead in the division, not Minnesota.
One area where the Bears haven't struggled is under center. After years of regrettable interceptions and poor decisions, Jay Cutler has thrived under the tutelage of new offensive coordinator Adam Gase. On the year, Cutler has thrown over twice as many touchdowns (16) as interceptions (7) and has delivered a career-best 7.64 yards per attempt.
The quarterback has played so well, he might return to Chicago in 2016, a scenario few would have believed at this time last year. Even if he doesn’t, the Bears should be able to find something for him in a trade, another plot twice not many saw coming.
The Vikings enter the week at 8-5 while the Bears, who still haven’t been eliminated from playoff contention, come in at 5-8.
How to watch
When: 1 p.m. ET
Where: TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
TV: Fox
Commentators: Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch, Pam Oliver
Online: Verizon NFL Mobile
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