The Viking Age
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5 keys to victory: Minnesota Vikings vs Chicago Bears in week 17

By Adam Carlson

Oct 31, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears defensive end Cornelius Washington (90) pressures Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford (8) during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears defensive end Cornelius Washington (90) pressures Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford (8) during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 24, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (94) works against Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle T.J. Clemmings (68) as he pressures quarterback Sam Bradford (8) during the fourth quarter at Ford Field. Lions win 16-13. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 24, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (94) works against Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle T.J. Clemmings (68) as he pressures quarterback Sam Bradford (8) during the fourth quarter at Ford Field. Lions win 16-13. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

#3. Hold on to the football

It feels strange to focus on ball security for a team that isn’t known for turning the ball over often. However, there has been a bad trend in the past of fumbles or miscues leading to turnovers when the Vikings needed to get points.

In the past weeks, Minnesota has made some major errors. A weird snap from center Nick Easton, a big fumble from Adrian Peterson, and a couple of strip sacks of Sam Bradford all put the games in jeopardy.

And while the Bears have only forced 13 fumbles in 16 weeks, Minnesota is now up to 20 total fumbles on the season. That means that either the Bears are going to break their trend or the Vikings will snap theirs.

But holding on to the football is going to be key. Chicago is bound to make mistakes with an inexperienced quarterback against the Vikings pass rush and experienced secondary, but Minnesota can’t be giving that ball right back.

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