The Chicago Bears are favorites to beat the Minnesota Vikings and head into Week 3 with a 2-0 record. If the Bears are going to pull off their second win of the season, it will likely be because of these matchup advantages.
Chicago Bears matchup advantages over Minnesota Vikings
Carson Wentz vs. Dennis Allen
The Vikings are going to have to start Carson Wentz for the injured Kyler Murray in Week 2. Wentz helped the Vikings win in Week 1, but he had 133 passing yards and only 19 attempts. The team tried to hide him for the most part. Dennis Allen is undermanned on defense, but he needs a strong game plan for the backup quarterback.
Grady Jarrett vs. Interior Offensive Line
The Vikings saw their center retire this offseason and did not go out of their way to find a legitimate replacement. The Bears' guards were the biggest weakness in Week 1. Chicago's interior is not elite, but Jarrett is a strong veteran. He should be able to create push and make Wentz move off of his spot.
Luther Burden and Rome Odunze
The Packers wide receivers lit up the Vikings secondary despite the loss. Christian Watson had 147 yards and two touchdowns on six receptions. Matthew Golden had six receptions for 95 yards. These two are good, but it can be argued that the duo of Burden and Odunze have higher ceilings.
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores lives by the blitz and dies by the blitz. If he blitzes and Caleb Williams gets the ball out on time, the receivers can torch the secondary.
Cole Kmet
The Vikings struggled with tight ends in Week 1. It is one thing to struggle with Tucker Kraft, but tight end Jonnu Smith added two catches for 50 yards himself. He was able to slip through the cracks with all of the other threats.
Kmet did just that in Week 1 with a big touchdown catch. He is one of the better tight ends in the NFL when healthy. This could be another solid game with a big catch or two.
Bears Interior Offensive Line
The Vikings created 31 pressures in Week 1. However, only seven were from the interior defensive and that was spread across three different players. When the Vikings do not blitz, they do not get pressure. The Bears have to keep Williams clean when the Vikings are not sending the house.
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