The Viking Age
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5 wild predictions: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears

By Josh Zinger

Dec 20, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Eddie Royal (19) runs after the catch in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks (54) at TCF Bank Stadium. The Minnesota Vikings beat the Chicago Bears 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Eddie Royal (19) runs after the catch in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks (54) at TCF Bank Stadium. The Minnesota Vikings beat the Chicago Bears 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 3, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Giants running back Orleans Darkwa (26) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Linval Joseph (98) and defensive end Brian Robison (96) during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Giants running back Orleans Darkwa (26) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Linval Joseph (98) and defensive end Brian Robison (96) during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

Vikings hold Bears to under 50 rushing yards

The Bears’ running game has struggled to get going all season, ranking 25th in the NFL with 87.9 rushing yards per game. With Linval Joseph and Shamar Stephen combining to form one of the most stout interior defensive lines in the game, it will be tough sledding for the Bears to get even that.

Led by the interior pressure of Joseph and Stephen, the Vikings currently rank 3rd in the NFL with only 81.7 yards per game allowed on the ground. For the Vikings, who ranked 17th in run defense last year, this is a major step forward in what was once a weakness for this team.

Against the Bears, expect the Minnesota Vikings to focus on stopping the run very heavily. With turnover-prone quarterback Jay Cutler returning to the helm of the Bears, the Vikings will look to take away the run and force Cutler to air it out against a physical and ball-hawking secondary.

Add in injuries along the offensive line, with right guard Kyle Long listed as doubtful and left guard Josh Sitton listed as questionable, and the Bears’ prospects in the running game look even worse.

It could be a long day for Jordan Howard & Co. in the Bears backfield.

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