There’s not much more to look for at this point in the season other than individual feats and development for the Chicago Bears. Caleb Williams is at the top of the list of priorities to watch down the stretch, and he’s mired in the longest stretch of losing his career. While he said all the right things again this week, you can hear the struggle in his voice.
He needs a win this week. He’s played well enough for a handful of wins on his own. Besting Brian Flores’ unit this week would go a long way in providing Williams with some hope.
I know I said previously that if we reached this point, I would be rooting for draft positioning, but I just can’t do it yet. It’s different this time around. The quarterback is more important than anything, and he sounds like someone who needs a win. I hope he gets it.
For the rest of the team, Thomas Brown has to prove he can lead this team through a mountain of adversity. In primetime, getting a victory against a top-five defense in their building would serve Brown’s future prospects and a win for Williams.
However, there’s no way you can make the case for a Bears win on paper this week. The running game has been bad for weeks, and the top two backs are banged up. The offensive line is always a question, Cole Kmet has been lost, and the defense is a shell of the unit they were when the season began.
The realistic hope for this week is that the Bears keep the game close and not get boat-raced as they did in San Francisco last week.
Outside of that, I’m struggling to find a reason to be excited about this one.
Dec 8, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) looks to throw a pass against the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn ImagesGame Info
Chicago Bears (4-9) vs. Minnesota Vikings (11-2)
TV: ABC (Joe Buck, Troy Aikman)Streaming: NFL+ *Radio: ESPN 1000 AM (Jeff Joniak, Tom Thayer, Jason McKie)
Kickoff Time: 7:00 PM CTSite: U.S. Bank Stadium; Minneapolis, MN.Referee: John HusseyOdds: Vikings -7, O/U 44 (via DraftKings)
Bears Projected Starters
Offense
QB – Caleb Williams RB – D’Andre Swift WR – DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze TE – Cole Kmet OL – Braxton Jones Kiran Amegadjie, Teven Jenkins, Coleman Shelton, Matt Pryor, Darnell WrightDefense
DL – Montez Sweat, Zacch Pickens, Gervon Dexter Sr. Chris Williams, DeMarcus Walker LB – T.J. Edwards, Tremaine Edmunds CB – Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson, Kyler Gordon S – Kevin Byard III, Jonathan OwensSpecialists
Cairo Santos (kicker), Tory Taylor (punter, holder), Scott Daly (long snapper), Josh Blackwell (kick and punt returner) ?? Mike Dinovo-Imagn ImagesMinnesota Vikings Projected Starters
Offense
QB – Sam Darnold RB – Aaron Jones WR – Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jalen Nailor TE – T.J. Hockenson OL – Cam Robinson, Blake Brendel, Garrett Bradbury, Dalton Risner, Brian O’NeillDefense
DL – Jerry Tillery, Harrison Phillips, Jonathan Bullard LB – Jonathan Greenard, Kamu Grugier-Hill, Blake Cashman, Andrew Van Ginkel CB – Stephon Gilmore (Q), Shaquill Griffin, Byron Murphy Jr. S – Camryn Bynum, Harrison SmithSpecialists
Will Reichard (kicker), Ryan Wright (punter, holder), Andrew DePaola (long snapper), Ty Chandler, Brandon Powell (kick and punt returner)Three Bears
Every week, our Chicago Bears writers will give you their Bears player to watch in the matchup ahead. Three Bears is a staple of these previews, and with Bears coverage expanding this season, I thought it would be cool to involve all of the Bears thinkers in the exercise.
Matt Rooney: Cole Kmet – It’s been a weird year for the Bears and their tight end. He hasn’t been awful, but he has been absent too often, and his drop last week wasn’t great. It feels like this offensive coaching staff has had trouble figuring out how they want to use him. Figure it out this week. Rely on the tight end in a hostile environment against a good team.
Dec 8, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (85) drops a 2-point conversion attempt during the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Kupbens-Imagn ImagesLuis Medina: Kiran Amegadjie – With Braxton Jones being a late scratch because of a concussion, the rookie from Yale figures to get the first crack at filling in as the starting left tackle. Last week, Matt made a pitch for Amegadjie to get some more playing time. He should get that chance starting tonight.
Patrick Flowers: Caleb Williams – What else matters at this point? Williams threw for 340 yards and led a valiant comeback effort the last time he faced the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field in November. The comeback came up short, and Williams took an ugly sack on that three-and-out in overtime that I’m sure he hasn’t forgotten. Can he finish this time?
Required Reading
Minnesota Vikings Injury Report: Gilmore Misses Another Practice Chicago Bears Keys to Victory Against the Minnesota Vikings Bears Offense vs Vikings Defense: How Do They Stack Up? Is Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles on the Hot Seat? Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Bears vs. Vikings Preview: Struggling to Find Silver Linings )
Also on site :
- Damian Lillard exits Game 4 with lower left leg injury
- RFU open to hosting Chelsea at Twickenham if Stamford Bridge redevelopment goes ahead
- Gemma Collins shows off 3st weight loss in a swimsuit after turning to fat jabs