With a 6-3 record, the Chicago Bears have put themselves firmly in the playoff picture in mid-November. But if they want to stay in the competition for a playoff spot from here on out, they’ll have to start beating some of their peers in the NFC North.
Two of the Bears’ three losses this season have come against NFC North opponents. Chicago will have the chance to avenge one of those when it travels to face the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, though. While the Vikings are in last place, they have several players with the potential to wreck a game, including pass rusher Jonathan Greenard.
Fortunately for Chicago, they may not have to worry about him. According to the Vikings’ official injury report, Greenard has not practiced on Wednesday or Thursday due to a shoulder injury, giving the Bears a potential break in a game they have to have on Sunday.
Jonathan Greenard’s Injury Could Give Bears a Break in Week 11
The Bears come into Sunday as winners of six of their past seven games. While their offense has been a big reason for their success, one of their weak links has been the left tackle position. Braxton Jones is currently on injured reserve with a knee injury, and, unfortunately, nobody has stepped up to take his place, with Theo Benedet struggling and Ozzy Trapilo moved to right tackle after a training camp competition.
With names like Micah Parsons and Aidan Hutchinson in the division, the left tackle issues could be a key storyline over Chicago’s final eight games. But you could argue the Bears would have just as hard a time stopping Greenard if he were able to play on Sunday.
Greenard led the Vikings with 12 sacks last season, and his 84 pressures were the third-most among edge defenders, according to Pro Football Focus. While he has just two sacks in the first nine games this season, he’s still been consistent in his process, ranking 15th among edge defenders with 36 pressures and 29th with a 16.0% win rate this season.
If the Vikings have to go without Greenard, it could be a severe downgrade. Andrew Van Ginkel has shaken off a neck injury that plagued him at the beginning of the season, but second-year edge rusher Dallas Turner hasn’t had the same effectiveness, with just 19 pressures and an 8.0% win rate on 141 pass-rushing snaps to his name.
A weakened pass rush could give Caleb Williams a chance to attack downfield, and while the Bears dropped the opener in Chicago, Williams played well, throwing for 210 yards and a touchdown while extending plays with his legs.
It’s a process that could become easier if Greenard is unable to play and could help the Bears earn their first divisional win on Sunday afternoon.