Minnesota Vikings vs Chicago Bears: 5 keys to victory

The Minnesota Vikings will face off against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, December 20, 2015 in a week 15 contest with major playoff implications involved.

It’s a crazy time in the NFL right now. With only three games remaining before it’s time for the playoffs, teams are fighting for the division championships as well as hoping to find themselves competing in the postseason. While the Chicago Bears are on the outside looking in, the Vikings have their season on the line each and every week.

This game is one that Minnesota needs to win to keep pace with the NFC North leading Green Bay Packers and keep teams like Tampa Bay and Washington to sneaking in and taking their playoff spot. Because of that, I’ve put together a list of things the Vikings will have to do to walk out of TCF Bank Stadium with a win on Sunday.

Here are my five keys to a Minnesota Vikings victory:

Don’t rush back injured players. It’s weird to say it, but don’t let the push for an NFC North title put the health of star players at risk. While it would be great to get guys like Linval Joseph, Harrison Smith and Anthony Barr back, don’t gamble by putting them on the field now when Minnesota could need them later on.

Stuff the run. With Linval Joseph out, the Minnesota Vikings have really struggled to plug up the middle. Sharrif Floyd is coming off his worst game as a pro football player and having major problems without his partner in the middle. Forte and Langford are a dangerous duo, and will likely take advantage of the big hole.

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Establish the run.

Adrian Peterson

averaged just 3 yards per carry against a stout Cardinals defense on Thursday Night Football, but he’ll have to do much better against the 26th ranked rushing defense in the NFL than that. Expect the bruising back to get the ball early and often during Sunday’s game.

Watch out for those fast, big wide receivers. Alshon Jeffery is a match making issue immediately. When you add in young guys like Marquess Wilson and Jeremy Langford to compliment veteran pass catchers Martellus Bennett and Eddie Royal, Chicago has a group of intimidating group to try to cover.

Find a way to pass the ball. It feels really weird saying this, Chicago currently has the #2 pass defense in the NFL. They’re only allowing 215.8 yards through the air, and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is only averaging 210.2 passing yards per game anyway. It’s possible that after his 335 yard effort last week that Bridgewater won’t even reach the 200’s against the Bears.

Those are my five keys to success for winning against the Chicago Bears for the NFL’s week 15 game. Do you have any keys that you’d like to add? Disagree with any of my five points? Let me know in the comments below.

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