Can the Bears End Their Losing Streak in Week 12 Against the Vikings?
The Bears have extended their losing streak to four games after a close loss to the Green Bay Packers 20-19 this past Sunday after a possible game-winning field goal got blocked. Ever since they came off their bye week, Chicago just can’t seem to catch a break. With seven games remaining on the Bears schedule, five are against the rest of the NFC North, which has proven to be the NFL’s best division. This Sunday, the Bears take on the 8-2 Minnesota Vikings, who stand in second in the NFC North behind the 9-1 Detroit Lions. Can the Bears bounce back from yet again another heartbreaking loss?
One of the bright sides from this past Sunday’s game was that the offense looked the most efficient that it's been in a while. The Bears’ new offensive coordinator Thomas Brown may have had something to do with it. The play calling was so much better this past Sunday in comparison to when Shane Waldron was calling the plays weeks prior. The first touchdown the Bears scored against the Packers was the first touchdown they’ve scored since Week Eight. Roschon Johnson ran in for a one-yard touchdown after the Bears made their way downfield. A red zone interception by Terell Smith started that touchdown drive for the Bears, which was followed by a couple of Caleb Williams rushes, a Cole Kmet first down, and a screen pass to D.J. Moore for a first down inside the red zone. The Bears were up 10-7 at the end of the first half, then the Packers went on the attack in the second half.
After a Cairo Santos field goal to put the Bears up six, both teams traded touchdowns after that. Josh Jacobs ran up the middle for a seven-yard touchdown, then D’Andre Swift ran for a 39-yard touchdown to put the Bears up 19-14. The Packers then had a chance on fourth and goal to take the lead, but Jordan Love got tackled at the one-yard line for a turnover on downs. Christian Watson had himself a day for the Packers with four targets for 150 receiving yards. With three and a half to go, Watson had a huge catch for 60 yards that put the Packers in the red zone, allowing Love to run it in for the score. On the Bears’ final drive, Rome Odunze and Keenan Allen both made miraculous plays to get the Bears in field goal range with under a minute to play. All of that led to the blocked field goal with three seconds left in the game for the Packers to pick up the win.
Going into Week 12 against a Vikings team that ranks No.1 in defense against the rush will be a tough task for the Bears. Sam Darnold proved himself last week against the Titans going 20-for-32 for 246 yards and two touchdowns. If the Bears’ defense can limit the effectiveness of Justin Jefferson, that would be ideal for a Chicago victory. One thing to note about the Bears’ loss to the Packers is the fact that the Bears went three for three on fourth downs. If Caleb Williams plays as comfortably as he did against the Packers during the game against the Vikings, the Bears could have a solid chance to pick up their first victory against another NFC North team.
