WEEK 5 MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL PREVIEW, VIKINGS – BEARS

 

On Monday Night Football, Mitch Trubisky will lead the Chicago Bears against the Minnesota Vikings in a battle of NFC North rivals. Minnesota welcomes Sam Bradford back from an injury suffered in the opening week of the season. Both teams desperately need a win to keep pace with the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers in the division.  We now turn to Remarkable! to breakdown these two foes…

 

Bears

 

Mitch Trubisky, the second overall pick in the 2017 draft, might have a difficult time against the Vikings. If the rookie quarterback gets in trouble, he should look towards Trae Waynes. The Vikings DB has allowed receptions to receivers he was covering on 15 of 17 targets (88.2 percent) this season, worst among 45 qualified DBs (League Avg: 61.6 percent).

Although he might be covered by Xavier Rhodes for a majority of the night, Kendall Wright will be an important receiver. Wright has 14 receptions on 18 targets (77.8 reception percentage) this season, tied second best among WRs in NFL (League Avg: 59.5 percent).

Tarik Cohen and Jordan Howard are a formidable duo, but they’ll be facing one of their toughest tasks. The Vikings defense has allowed 71.8 Rushing Yards per game (287/4) this season, third fewest in the NFL (League Avg: 107.9). On the other hand, Cohen has averaged 6.1 yards from scrimmage per touch (331 yards/54 touches) this season, third best among 33 qualified RBs (League Avg: 4.9). With Cohen turning into the playmaker, Howard comes into the game to pick up the crucial first downs. Jordan Howard has picked up first downs on 30.2 percent of his rush attempts this season, best of qualified RBs (League Avg: 19.6 percent).

On the defensive side of the ball, Chicago needs to tighten up on third down. The Bears defense has allowed first downs on 47.1 percent of plays on third down this season, third worst in the NFL (League Avg: 39.4 percent).

 

Vikings

 

The loss of Dalvin Cook will put pressure on the other weapons in the Minnesota offense. To make up for the loss, Stefon Diggs will have to continue his dominant play at wide receiver. Before Week 5, Diggs has

• Averaged 97.8 Receiving Yards per game (391/4) this season (best of 78 Qualified WRs in NFL; League Avg: 33.0).
• Averaged 12.2 Yards per Target (391 yards/32 targets) this season (2nd best of 71 Qualified WRs in NFL; League Avg: 7.4).
• 7 first down receptions on 3rd down this season (tied for 2nd most among WRs in NFL).
• 391 Receiving Yards this season (most among WRs in NFL).

Diggs is not the only strong receiver for the Vikings, they have Adam Thielen. Minnesota’s WR2 has 358 receiving yards, third most in the NFL. Also, Thielen has 24 receptions on 32 targets (75.0 reception percentage) this season, tied for sixth best among WRs.

Getting them the ball this week will be Sam Bradford. The Minnesota quarterback has completed 74.3 percent of passes (142 completions/191 attempts) since Week 14 last season, best among QBs (League Avg: 62.8 percent).

Defensively, the Vikings are a formidable bunch. In fact, the Minnesota defense has allowed first downs on just 25.6 percent of plays on third down this season, best in the NFL (League Avg: 39.4 percent). The defense has only allowed one rushing touchdown all season, tied for second fewest in the league.

Will the young Bears take down the strong defense of Minnesota? Tune in tonight to find out!

 

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