Way easier said than done.
With D’Andre Swift nursing a minor groin injury — he missed practice Wednesday — the Bears are going to have their hands full, although it sounds like he could be good by Sunday. As [Bears Head Coach] Matt Eberflus stated, the Vikings lead the league in forcing opponents into second-and-long situations and they’re No. 4 in the league on first down, allowing 4.68 yards per play; the Bears offense is 4th-worst, averaging 4.57 yards.
Second-and-long is no way to make a living against the Vikings, who are tied for third in the NFL with 35 sacks and have three outside linebackers with seven or more — Andrew Van Ginkel with 8.0 and Pat Jones II and Jonathan Greenard with 7.0 each.
“They’ve got some really underrated dudes on their defense,” Bears tight end Cole Kmet said. “Some guys who I think are playing the best in the league right now and don’t get the credit for it.
“They’re physical and they bring so many different looks,” he added. “There is going to be a lot on us up front to make sure we ID things correctly [and] get it communicated right so we can get the run game going.”
Say, what is Chicago’s record in games it’s failed to log 100 yards rushing? Funny you ask: 1-4.
Jared Allen reaches semifinal round for HOF
It’s been a big week for Jared Allen. He attended Minnesota’s win at Tennessee on Sunday, and on Wednesday was announced as one of 25 semifinalists for Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025.
Hall of Fame selectors will narrow that list to 15 modern-era finalists later this year.