Bears at Vikings Depth Chart Preview 2020
Dec 19, 2020 0:16:54 GMT -6
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Post by Danchat on Dec 19, 2020 0:16:54 GMT -6
The Bears finally broke their losing streak with a win, putting both teams at 6-7. Who will come out of this clash in 2nd place, and still unlikely to make a playoff run?
Line: Vikings -3
Injury Report
Bears
CB Skrine - Out
CB Johnson - Questionable
SS Bush - Questionable
OLB Mack - Questionable
OLB Vaughters - Questionable
TE Graham - Questionable
Vikings
LB Kendricks - Out
TE Rudolph - Out
HB Mattison - Questionable
* My Thoughts *
The Bears' roster hasn't changed a whole lot since the previous matchup 5 weeks ago, so I'll keep this brief. My version of 'brief', that is. Mitch Trubisky finds himself at the helm of the offense again due to Foles' incompetence, and for the moment, that's been for the better. Trubisky may have wavering accuracy and severe problems throwing to his left, but he's far more mobile than Foles and has at least been able to get the ball to his playmakers. David Montgomery also did not play last time, and they missed him badly. Cordarrelle Patterson simply did not work as a full-time back even against the Vikings' pathetic front seven, but I suspect Montgomery will find more success. He's looked healthy and has broken some big runs the past few weeks. They've also incorporated more Cole Kmet at TE and less Jimmy Graham - it's about time! Kmet provides more speed, but somewhat questionable hands. The Robinson-Mooney-Miller combo has been decent enough. Foles did not get Robinson the ball enough last time.
They've also shifted their O-line after some major struggles - wow, who would have thought of that? Whitehair has shifted back to LG and has provided elite run blocking, while former UDFA Sam Mustipher has been a passable center. Germain Ifedi shifted back to his old spot at RT, and it's too early to say if he's going to be disaster there again, but he has given up 25 pressures so far this year. Another former UDFA in Alex Bars has stepped up at RG, replacing Rashaad Coward, but PFF has given him mostly poor grades. LT Leno has been the one constant, but even he has given up 34 pressures and 4 sacks this year.
Defensively the Bears have regressed; we definitely saw that when Cousins tore them up the first time. They can still stop the run well with their D-line specializing in that. Hicks ate Cook alive on many plays, and Urban has been a huge surprise with how well he's played. Nichols has helped Bears fans forget about the talented Eddie Goldman (opted out). However their pass rush has been rather weak; Khalil Mack hasn't quite been himself with just a single sack over the past 5 games. Robert Quinn is being paid $14M a year to rush the passer, and has provided a SINGLE sack in 12 games. He's gone 11 straight games with a sack. Perhaps the Vikings will fix that...
Meanwhile, Roquan Smith has taken a big step forward this year with 122 combined tackles, with 60 of them qualifying as run stops. On the other side of the coin, Danny Trevathan has been regressing sharply, as he's been torn apart in coverage. Speaking of that, the Bears' DBs have not been good this year. Jaylon Johnson (who didn't practice at all this week) has been getting killed lately, allowing 694 yards and 5 TDs in coverage. The Vikings made sure to pick on nickel CB Buster Skrine last time, and with him out, Duke Shelley will likely play a big role. Kyle Fuller is still a quality CB, but had trouble with Jefferson last time. Eddie Jackson's play has also dropped off, with 0 interceptions despite having 10 picks his first 3 years. SS Gipson is a marginal player who is past his prime.
My Prediction: Bears 27, Vikings 23
The Bears are a lot healthier this time around, and the Vikings have been playing worse at home. They stand a chance of moving the ball with Trubisky at QB, and should be able to handle the Vikings' pass rush this time with an improved O-line and an actual run game. I can see Cousins and the receivers racking up some yards, but failing to put points on the board. The Vikings also have a major disadvantage with having no confidence in their kicking game, and in general having a terrible special teams unit.
Any thoughts?
Line: Vikings -3
Injury Report
Bears
CB Skrine - Out
CB Johnson - Questionable
SS Bush - Questionable
OLB Mack - Questionable
OLB Vaughters - Questionable
TE Graham - Questionable
Vikings
LB Kendricks - Out
TE Rudolph - Out
HB Mattison - Questionable
* My Thoughts *
The Bears' roster hasn't changed a whole lot since the previous matchup 5 weeks ago, so I'll keep this brief. My version of 'brief', that is. Mitch Trubisky finds himself at the helm of the offense again due to Foles' incompetence, and for the moment, that's been for the better. Trubisky may have wavering accuracy and severe problems throwing to his left, but he's far more mobile than Foles and has at least been able to get the ball to his playmakers. David Montgomery also did not play last time, and they missed him badly. Cordarrelle Patterson simply did not work as a full-time back even against the Vikings' pathetic front seven, but I suspect Montgomery will find more success. He's looked healthy and has broken some big runs the past few weeks. They've also incorporated more Cole Kmet at TE and less Jimmy Graham - it's about time! Kmet provides more speed, but somewhat questionable hands. The Robinson-Mooney-Miller combo has been decent enough. Foles did not get Robinson the ball enough last time.
They've also shifted their O-line after some major struggles - wow, who would have thought of that? Whitehair has shifted back to LG and has provided elite run blocking, while former UDFA Sam Mustipher has been a passable center. Germain Ifedi shifted back to his old spot at RT, and it's too early to say if he's going to be disaster there again, but he has given up 25 pressures so far this year. Another former UDFA in Alex Bars has stepped up at RG, replacing Rashaad Coward, but PFF has given him mostly poor grades. LT Leno has been the one constant, but even he has given up 34 pressures and 4 sacks this year.
Defensively the Bears have regressed; we definitely saw that when Cousins tore them up the first time. They can still stop the run well with their D-line specializing in that. Hicks ate Cook alive on many plays, and Urban has been a huge surprise with how well he's played. Nichols has helped Bears fans forget about the talented Eddie Goldman (opted out). However their pass rush has been rather weak; Khalil Mack hasn't quite been himself with just a single sack over the past 5 games. Robert Quinn is being paid $14M a year to rush the passer, and has provided a SINGLE sack in 12 games. He's gone 11 straight games with a sack. Perhaps the Vikings will fix that...
Meanwhile, Roquan Smith has taken a big step forward this year with 122 combined tackles, with 60 of them qualifying as run stops. On the other side of the coin, Danny Trevathan has been regressing sharply, as he's been torn apart in coverage. Speaking of that, the Bears' DBs have not been good this year. Jaylon Johnson (who didn't practice at all this week) has been getting killed lately, allowing 694 yards and 5 TDs in coverage. The Vikings made sure to pick on nickel CB Buster Skrine last time, and with him out, Duke Shelley will likely play a big role. Kyle Fuller is still a quality CB, but had trouble with Jefferson last time. Eddie Jackson's play has also dropped off, with 0 interceptions despite having 10 picks his first 3 years. SS Gipson is a marginal player who is past his prime.
My Prediction: Bears 27, Vikings 23
The Bears are a lot healthier this time around, and the Vikings have been playing worse at home. They stand a chance of moving the ball with Trubisky at QB, and should be able to handle the Vikings' pass rush this time with an improved O-line and an actual run game. I can see Cousins and the receivers racking up some yards, but failing to put points on the board. The Vikings also have a major disadvantage with having no confidence in their kicking game, and in general having a terrible special teams unit.
Any thoughts?
... and neither is this Chris guy.