5 Bold Predictions: Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears – Week 17
By Chris Schad
Mannion will have a chance to silence his critics
Last preseason, the grumblings surrounding Sean Mannion being named the backup quarterback were about as loud as a “Go Pack Go” chant in U.S. Bank Stadium last week (too soon?). While Viking fans wanted Kyle Sloter to be behind Kirk Cousins, head coach Mike Zimmer lauded Mannion’s ability to run the offense in practice and didn’t put too much stock into his lousy performance during preseason games.
Now, Mannion gets his opportunity to silence the doubters as he’s reportedly starting the game against the Bears. Throughout his career, Mannion has made just one start and that was two years ago with the Los Angeles Rams in a losing effort against the Atlanta Falcons.
Even though he won’t be using the Vikings’ usual array of weapons, he might rely on Olabisi Johnson, Irv Smith Jr., and even Laquon Treadwell to move the ball against a Bears secondary that could be down Prince Amukamara thanks to a hamstring injury.
The Vikings would probably love to be right about Mannion, so there’s a good chance they will give him every chance to succeed against the Bears.