On Monday night in Minneapolis, the Minnesota Vikings will visit the Chicago Bears in an attempt to complete a season sweep of a division opponent. This season, Minnesota (6-5) has already faced the Bears once, winning 19-13 in Chicago during Week 6. That helped spark a five-game winning streak for the Vikings, which was ultimately snapped last week with a 21-20 loss to the Denver Broncos.
Now, wide receiver Justin Jefferson, the Vikings’ greatest player, has a hamstring injury. Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell must decide whether to risk it and keep Jefferson out for this week as well as the team’s bye the next week. Jefferson is not anticipated to play, according to a report from The Athletic on Thursday.
When he was injured in the season’s fifth game, 24-year-old Jefferson had 36 catches for 571 yards and three touchdowns. “We need to win this football game badly,” O’Connell declared. “We’re just not going to allow that to distract us from the fact that we started out with some really strong principles in making sure Justin was at a good place and 100 percent healthy when he returns. … We’re not going to allow any other outside circumstances or even the circumstances of our team to drive that situation in any way, shape or form.”
Chicago (3–8) is similarly a subject of inquiry, though for different reasons. The Bears will have a few high selections in the NFL draft the following year, and they will need to choose if Justin Fields is the long-term quarterback solution or if they should look to a top prospect.
In seven games, Fields, 24, has completed 62.7% of his throws for 1,370 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. In addition, he has 341 yards and a touchdown through rushes. Fields had to miss four games due to a dislocated right thumb he suffered in his most recent game against the Vikings. Before getting hurt, he was 6 of 10 for 58 yards with an interception.
“We’re better than what we put on tape that game,” Fields stated. Putting our best foot forward is the main goal. ensuring that every play is executed with precision and accuracy. locked in, and when they do apply pressure, we can move the ball quickly. It will be crucial. The O-line is able to absorb pressure when it is applied. Everything begins at the front.”
Since joining the Vikings via a trade with the Arizona Cardinals on October 31, quarterback Joshua Dobbs has also had to spend some time avoiding pressure in the pocket. In his three games with Minnesota, Dobbs has passed for 647 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception. He has also run for 131 yards and three touchdowns.
There are multiple players on both clubs’ injury reports. Thursday’s first complete session of the week was missed by Bears linebacker Noah Sewell (knee), guard Larry Borom (sickness), running back D’Onta Foreman (ankle/shin), and center Lucas Patrick (back). Three Vikings players were limited during their first practice: cornerback Akayleb Evans (calf), tight end T.J. Hockenson (ribs), and quarterback Jefferson (hamstring).
Bears wide receiver D.J. Moore is one guy who could reach a significant milestone in his career. For him to record his fourth career 1,000-yard season, he needs 111 receiving yards.
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