3 things to watch when the Chicago Bears face the Minnesota Vikings

The Chicago Bears travel north to face the Minnesota Vikings in hopes of avenging a Week 6 loss.

Justin Fields did not play well that day and left the game with a dislocated thumb.

Backup quarterback Tyson Bagent started Bagentmania when he guided the offense down the field for a score and almost rallied the team to a comeback victory.

The defense also played solid in that game at Soldier Field.

The division foes will rematch at U.S. Bank Stadium on Monday Night Football. The biggest difference for the Vikings is they will be without quarterback Kirk Cousins who was lost for the season with an Achilles injury.

Joshua Dobbs was acquired at the trade deadline and has filled in admirably. It helps to have an offensive playcaller like head coach Kevin O’Connell who is adaptable to his personnel.

Dobbs won his first game with the Vikings despite not knowing the playbook. O’Connell had to walk him through the plays over the headset. Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy would probably not be capable of doing such things.

The Vikings have been on a roll after starting the season 1-4. They will be looking to bounce back after losing last week to Denver.

Here are three things to watch when these two take the gridiron…

Justin Fields handling Minnesota’s blitz defense.

Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores loves to blitz. Fields struggled from the first snap against that scheme in the first matchup.

Whether you agree with  Getsy’s methods or not, using empty sets against the blitz is not a terrible idea. Well, so long as Fields can get the ball out quickly. That is something he does not do well.

These final six games are it for Fields to make a case to be the franchise’s long-term starting quarterback. He passed his first test against the Detroit Lions last week. Getting the ball out quickly against Minnesota is the next test he needs to pass.

If he fails, then it is another data point that Justin cannot be even an adequate pocket passer he needs to be to complement his ability in the run game.

Khalil Herbert needs to run like he is not banged up.

Herbert returned to the field last Sunday after missing five games with an ankle injury. He looked like he needed some more time off.

He is going to need to look like he is not hobbling out there as running back D’Onta Foreman, who played well in Herbert’s absence, has been ruled out with an injury suffered against the Lions.

Roschon Johnson is available to help the running game, but the team needs Herbert to be fast out there. If he is hobbling around, that is going to hamper the run game’s effectiveness.

Is this the game the Chicago Bears win their first NFC North matchup since 2021?

The Bears are 0-9 since Matt Eberflus took over as head coach in 2022.

He needs to win this game if he wants to cool down the hot seat his job is sitting on. The team had a chance to win last Sunday but snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.

Sadly, it was not the first time that happened under Eberflus’ leadership.

The Vikings have gone 5-1 over their last six games. They have only won twice at home this season. It is not like Minnesota is unbeatable at U.S. Bank Stadium.

If Fields puts out another performance like he did last week, the Chicago Bears have a chance to win the game. Well, so long as Eberflus’ defense can hold the lead.