The Bears offensive line has suffered breakdowns throughout the season. Brown’s play calling last week took pressure off the line while protecting Williams. But here comes the diabolical Brian Flores and his blitz-intensive scheme. The man dialed up a corner blitz on Tennessee’s first offensive play last week. Who does that?
“He’s the king of cover zero blitz and finding a bunch of different ways to do it,” Williams said of Flores.
The Bears know what’s coming. But you can’t stop what you don’t see. And Vikings defenders will be coming from everywhere. They enter the game fourth in sacks and have held opposing quarterbacks to a 79.4 passer rating.
The Chicago offense is at its best when there’s a complimentary running game. But the Vikings have the best run defense in the NFL, averaging 74.4 yards a game, with Harrison Phillips and Blake Cashman playing very well. Bears running back D’Andre Swift has been nursing a sore groin muscle and won’t be 100%. Another matchup that favors the Purple.
The only way the Vikings can screw this up is if their turnover-prone quarterback, Sam Darnold, throws the game away. But the Vikings don’t have to throw a lot to win this game. Aaron Jones should spend the afternoon getting to the second level of the Bears defense because run-stopper Andrew Billings is out for the season. Safety play is a problem, too, as Jaquan Brisker is out with a concussion and backup Elijah Hicks is banged up, forcing Chicago to sign a safety off the street during the week.
Everyone is looking forward to the battle between wide receiver Justin Jefferson and Jaylon Johnson, who has become one of the best cornerbacks in the league. But Jordan Addison should be started in most fantasy leagues this week because Tyrique Stevenson, when he’s not jawing with fans during a Hail Mary, has become one of the most picked-on corners in the NFL. Teams have found advantages there.