3 most disappointing Vikings in the Week 15 loss to the Bears

Shamar Stephen – DT

Minnesota’s run defense was absolutely putrid against the Bears in Week 15. Chicago came into the game excited to have their top rusher back in the lineup as David Montgomery had been out during the first meeting between these two teams earlier this season.

The Bears rode him early and often in this game and the Vikings gave him little resistance as he picked up 146 yards on the ground and got almost five yards a pop.

Minnesota was without Eric Kendricks and that definitely hurt, but the play of Shamar Stephen was another reason why Montgomery found it so easy to pick up yardage. Stephen is supposed to be the Vikings’ run stuffer, but he has struggled all season long.

He isn’t able to eat up blocks and he is easily moved out of the way. This allowed the Chicago blockers to get to the second level and take out Minnesota’s linebackers and sometimes members of their secondary.

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Stephen has been a huge liability all season long and he would probably be benched if the Vikings had a better option on the roster. They apparently don’t and performances like Stephen’s three tackle day are the best Minnesota can hope for the final two games of the season. Thankfully the Vikings get Michael Pierce back next season and Stephen will likely end up on a different roster.