Previewing This Week’s Vikings Game: Week 12 vs. Chicago Bears
The Vikings are preparing for their first divisional rematch of the year.
They get an extra rest day before playing host to the Chicago Bears on Monday night as they try to get back on track following their Week 11 loss to the Denver Broncos. Ahead of the matchup, here is a look at everything you need to know going into this week’s Vikings game.
How to Watch This Week’s Vikings Game
The Vikings and Bears will meet on the primetime stage of Monday Night Football, so the game is set to kick off at 7:15 PM Central on Monday, November 27th inside U.S. Bank Stadium. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.
Bears/Vikings History
The Bears and Vikings have been rivals for a very long time. In fact, the first game in Vikings history back on September 17th, 1961, was against these Bears, and Minnesota won 37-13. In total, the two teams have played 125 times, including one game in the playoffs, which the Bears won on New Year’s Day in 1995.
Despite the playoff loss, the Vikings lead the all-time series with 66 wins compared to 57 for the Bears. The two teams have also tied twice. Minnesota captured a victory in Week 6 against Chicago by a score of 19-13.
Vikings Spotlight Player: RB Ty Chandler
Over the past two weeks, Ty Chandler has emerged as a viable option in the Vikings backfield alongside Alexander Mattison. Minnesota has needed him without Cam Akers, and he has put together 29 touches for 155 yards and a touchdown.
Against a Bears defense that has quietly been one of the very best units against the run this season, the Vikings will need another productive outing from the second-year back to earn a victory. In the first meeting between these two teams, the Vikings lost the time of possession battle by over 10 minutes in part because of their inability to run the ball. They totaled 22 carries for just 46 yards during that game.
Bears Spotlight Player: QB Justin Fields
Justin Fields returned to the field last weekend for the first time since injuring his hand against these Vikings. It was a solid showing for the QB as he threw for 169 yards and a touchdown while adding 104 rushing yards as well.
Fields wasn’t able to move the ball very well against Minnesota’s defense in the first matchup between these teams, and this lack of a passing attack really allowed the Vikings to win. They will need to continue shutting down the mobile QB if they want to capture another season-series sweep.
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Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.