Kyler Murray's been ruled out for this afternoon's game with a concussion, leaving Carson Wentz to start for the Minnesota Vikings with a six-game Soldier Field winning streak and a piece of franchise history attached to his assignment. Minnesota is officially turning to Wentz after Murray remained limited in practice all last week.
A win over Chicago would give the Vikings seven straight road victories against one division rival, tying the team record. The Purple People Eaters-era Vikings won seven in Detroit from 1968 through 1974 during a 13-game winning streak against the Lions, the benchmark behind this Soldier Field streak chase.
The 33-year-old Wentz wasn't supposed to be the quarterback chasing this record. He entered the opener after only 11 snaps and made five starts last season before a shoulder injury ended his run. His presence isn't proof Minnesota owns Chicago. It just shows how many different routes this streak has taken.
Carson Wentz fits the Minnesota Vikings' strange Soldier Field run
The Vikings had lost 16 of 19 visits when the Bears beat them 16-6 in 2019. They've since won six straight by an average of seven points, with five decided by one score. The streak's strange because it's lasted without ever truly looking secure.
Kirk Cousins started the first four wins, Sam Darnold the fifth, and J.J. McCarthy the sixth. A Minnesota victory would make Wentz the fourth quarterback to advance the same streak and the third in three seasons. This hasn't been one great team steamrolling Chicago, but several versions of the Vikings finding ugly ways to win in the same building.
Wentz earned some trust with a three-touchdown relief appearance that helped erase a 12-point third-quarter deficit against Green Bay. His 12-of-19, 133-yard performance also hides an interception and a fumble nullified by penalties. While he steadied the offense, he gave the Packers two chances to punish him.
The Bears gave up 478 yards and 37 points to Carolina, but their offense scored 59 and rushed for 291 yards. Kevin O'Connell can protect Wentz with Aaron Jones and play action, but Wentz still has to protect the ball in a game that could force Minnesota to chase points.
If Wentz avoids the turnover swing and feeds Justin Jefferson against a secondary that Bryce Young just hit for 361 yards, Chicago gives him a path to that record-tying seventh win. The backup nobody expected to need this soon now gets Minnesota's shot at a Purple People Eaters-era record.
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