Minny leads series 69-58-2
By the numbers:
Bears’ O 26.6 PPG [7th] Can you believe it!
Week 1 Vikes beat Bears 27-24
-JJ 143 YDS, 2TDs, 1 INT, 1 Rush TD, 98.5 Rating
-Caleb 210 YDS, 1 TD, 86.6 Rating
Vikings’ Pass D allows 102.7 Rating to opposing QBs [24rth]. They only have 3 INTs the whole season. In addition, they have also allowed 24+ points in past 4 games.
So in theory, this should be a favorable matchup for Caleb through the air.
Despite this, they boast an athletic front which held Lamar Jackson, arguably the most efficient QB, to 58%, 176 YDs, 1 TD
Their run D seems a bit more stout holding King Henry to 75 yds, 3.8 ypc. Season long they concede 4.2 ypc [16th].
JJ McCarthy has been held to a sub 83 QB rating in last 3 games [54.5 vs Ravens] and is going to play with a bruised hand that has limited his practice.
He has also been sacked 11 times in previous 2 games. Bears have racked up 3+ sacks in back-to-back games, but the key will be if JJ holds on to the ball.
What should worry Bears more is Vikings rushed for 167 YDs [6.7 ypc] vs Ravens as JJ contributed 48. Given how Dart – darted around – hopefully the D practiced setting the edge, contain, and RPOs.
Season-long Bears’ D is giving up 5.2 ypc [29th], and if Edwards remains out, you bet your ass the Vikings are going to want to limit JJ passing as much as possible and attack Jarrett/Chris Williams/Sewell every chance they get.
This is where the Caleb gauntlet begins. Like Hercules and his 12 Labors, Caleb will need to prove himself in order to relieve a lot traumatized Bear fans.
X-Factor
Bears played a relatively clean game vs Gmen [3 accepted flags], but will this carry over on the road in a raucous stadium? The Bears NEED to start winning some of these div games [they’re 0-2 currently] in order to stay atop the division or ahead on the WC race with tie-breakers.
Let the labors commence!
Overtime. Michael Franzese is a former Columbo cappo who was heavily involved with athletes gambling. If you even watched ONE mafia flick, you know that gambling is YUGE in that culture, so this is his take on what’s rocking the NBA and MLB.
“My dad told me there’s three things that can kill you: wine, gambling, and women. Watch all three of them.“