5 things to watch in the Chicago Bears-Minnesota Vikings game — plus our Week 6 predictions

The Chicago Bears enter Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field coming off their first win in nearly a year.

After the Bears broke a 14-game losing streak against the Washington Commanders on “Thursday Night Football” last week, they had nine days to prepare for the Vikings — and a chance at their second win in a row. As kickoff approaches between the two 1-4 teams, here’s our snapshot look at the game.

Players in the spotlight

Vikings receivers

Some of the biggest news across the NFL this week came from Minnesota, which put star wide receiver Justin Jefferson on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.

Jefferson, the 2022 AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year after he led the league with 128 catches for 1,809 yards, is out at least the next four games, starting with Sunday at Soldier Field.

It’s obviously a significant loss for the Vikings and quarterback Kirk Cousins, who connected with Jefferson for 36 catches for 571 yards this season. The other Vikings targets have a lot of ground to make up for an offense that has averaged 281.6 passing yards per game but just 80.8 rushing after letting running back Dalvin Cook walk this offseason.

Tight end T.J. Hockenson has 30 catches for 254 yards, and rookie wide receiver Jordan Addison has 19 catches for 249 yards.

Bears coach Matt Eberflus said Hockenson is “very good at getting open.”

“He uses his body to get open a lot of times, but he also has really good stem at the top of his routes to be able to work away from man or work into the open zones,” Eberflus said. “And he’s good yards after catch. He’s a heck of an athlete.”

Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson said Addison is a “crafty receiver.”

“He picks it up for where he kind of lacks in size,” Johnson said. “He’s crafty, a good, savvy route-runner who is continuing to learn and grow. You can see where he’s a little young, but he definitely has some strengths and intangibles that can threaten defenses.”

Pressing questions

Can DJ Moore do it again? Or will another Bears receiver step up?

Moore’s performance against the Washington Commanders — eight catches for 230 yards and three touchdowns — was so dominant it earned him the NFC offensive player of the week award. Only two other Bears players had catches in the game — tight ends Cole Kmet (five catches, 42 yards) and Robert Tonyan (two catches, 10 yards) — but Bears quarterback Justin Fields didn’t need much production from his other targets because of Moore’s production.

The question, however, is what will happen if an opposing defense does everything in its power to stop Moore. Will another player step up?

Darnell Mooney said it has been “a little frustrating” not performing at the clip he would like. A 1,000-yard receiver in 2021, Mooney has just eight catches for 104 yards and a touchdown in five games this year. He was targeted four times against the Commanders without a catch.

“I get paid to catch the ball and play receiver, so if I’m not doing my job, at the end of the day it gets frustrating,” Mooney said. “I just continue to work. … I’m staying ready so whenever I get more opportunities to be me, I’ll make the most of it.

“Like the first play of the game (against the Commanders), it was one of those that I wish it could have just started off like, ‘Yeah, Mooney’s back for sure.’ I wasn’t able to capitalize on that one, but I’ll get more chances.”

Fields said if defenders focus on Moore, players such as Kmet and Mooney should capitalize.

“Everyone on the team knows that DJ’s our No. 1 receiver and wherever the chips fall, they fall,” Fields said. “Moon’s going to get the ball, Cole’s going to get the ball. Of course, we always want to get those guys involved. Just spread the love.”

Keep an eye on …

D’Onta Foreman

The Bears ruled out their top three running backs — Khalil Herbert (ankle), Roschon Johnson (concussion) and Travis Homer (hamstring). That leaves D’Onta Foreman as the best rushing option.

Foreman, who has been in the NFL since 2017, said Thursday he was calm and confident as he prepares for the opportunity. He was pushed into action midseason with the 2021 Tennessee Titans and the 2022 Carolina Panthers and performed well. He rushed for 914 yards last season with the Panthers.

Eberflus said the Bears are going to lean on that experience.

“He was locked in in the meetings, locked in the whole time,” Eberflus said of Foreman being inactive for four weeks. “Coach (David) Walker does a really good job in his meetings of keeping everybody involved. It’s more of an open forum, asking questions, keeping guys engaged.”

As far as other rushing options, the Bears also have running back Darrynton Evans and fullback Khari Blasingame on the roster and fullback Robert Burns on the practice squad. Wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. also occasionally gets carries.

The Bears placed Herbert on injured reserve Friday, meaning he will miss at least four games.

Putting on the blitz

The Bears are prepared to face a blitz-heavy defense under new coordinator Brian Flores. The Vikings lead the league with a 56.2% blitz rate, according to Pro Football Reference, though they’re only 20th with a 7.3% sack rate.

“(Flores) has changed that week to week and adjusted his blitz up and down, certainly with the people he’s played,” Eberflus said. “But we’ll see where it goes. And we’re going to have to be very tactical during the game and be able to adjust and move our scheme based on what we’re seeing.”

Outside linebacker Danielle Hunter leads the Vikings with six sacks, and safety Harrison Smith has three.

Fields said the Bears have “just got to be looking out everywhere.”

“They can bring anybody from anywhere — from corners to nickels to linebackers to cover zeros to whatever,” Fields said. “You’ve just got to have a plan ready to go. Everybody’s got to be locked in for this week and just be able to perform on Sunday.”

Injury report

Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson (hamstring) and nickel Kyler Gordon (hand) are expected to return Sunday after practicing in full Friday.

The Bears will need to bring back Gordon from injured reserve.

“Obviously that nickel spot is a big spot for us, and he’s done a good job with that,” Eberflus said. “He’s a real positive guy, so it’s always great to have his energy out there as well. He certainly brings that passion.”

Tight end Cole Kmet, who had a hamstring injury during the week, is good to play, as is center Doug Kramer (thumb), who would have to come off IR. Safety Eddie Jackson (foot) and center Lucas Patrick (concussion) are questionable.

Along with Herbert, Johnson and Homer, cornerback Terell Smith (ankle/illness) and wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown (hamstring) also were ruled out. The Bears put St. Brown on IR.

For the Vikings, running back Kene Nwangwu is questionable with a back injury.

Predictions

Brad Biggs (3-2)

The Vikings are in an interesting position with star wide receiver Justin Jefferson sidelined with a hamstring injury and without the long-term contract extension many thought he might get before the season started. Without that future security, would Jefferson bide his time returning to the field? Would the Vikings consider trading Kirk Cousins during the season? They didn’t look like a 13-4 team last season but they’re definitely better than their 1-4 record, at least when Jefferson is healthy. It’s difficult to place a ton of faith in the Bears because they’ve been consistently uncompetitive, but quarterback Justin Fields has had a hot hand the last two games and the offense seems to be in sync. It’s not hard to imagine the Vikings entering some difficult times.

Bears 28, Vikings 24

Colleen Kane (3-2)

This would be a different prediction if Justin Jefferson was playing for the Vikings, given the way he has left Bears defenders helpless so many times in the past. The Vikings without their star wide receiver look less formidable. Quarterback Justin Fields has a prime opportunity to build on his production over the last two weeks against a Vikings defense that has been mediocre to not great in many categories this year. Could the Bears actually be looking at a two-game winning streak for the first time since late in the 2021 season behind Nick Foles and Andy Dalton? This game is certainly set up for that.

Bears 28, Vikings 23

Dan Wiederer (3-2)

For a hungry team seeking meaningful improvement, this is an ideal “take care of business” opportunity. The Bears are back at home. They’re feeling the confidence boost from last week’s impressive 40-20 blowout of the Commanders. And the offense, propelled by Justin Fields and DJ Moore, sure looks like its finding a legitimate groove. The Vikings, meanwhile, are struggling and come to town without their best player. Let the momentum roll on. Let the belief build.

Bears 27, Vikings 24

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