The 1-6 Bears take on the division-leading 5-1 Minnesota Vikings in their last nationally televised game of the season (and perhaps beyond).
This matchup favors the Vikings in all three phases, but here are some individual matchups worth focusing on during Monday night’s action.
Bears outside linebacker Leonard Floyd vs. Vikings right tackle T.J. Clemmings
The Vikings are an NFC powerhouse, but their offensive line could be their eventual undoing. They’ve endured injuries to both of their starting offensive tackles — Matt Kalil and Andre Smith — who have been put on injured reserve. That’s left the team with street free agent Jake Long on the left and Clemmings on the right. Clemmings, a fourth-round pick entering his second season, has been used on both sides and is struggling immensely both in the run and pass game.
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Bears first-round rookie Leonard Floyd had the finest game of his young NFL career last week against the Packers. He finished with three tackles, three quarterback hits, two sacks, one tackle for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Floyd’s rare athleticism has been used in a variety of roles so far this season, but he must continue to make an impact as a pass rusher. He has a chance to string together back-to-back strong performances as a pass rusher against Clemmings next Monday night.
Clemmings struggles with speed off the edge. He’s slow out of his stance and his footwork and kick slide prevent him from getting in front of rushers to impede their path to the quarterback. Floyd’s biggest asset is his get-off speed. His flexibility allows him to dip and stay low when turning the edge to collapse the pocket from the outside. With Pernell McPhee working his way back and Willie Young playing the best football of his career, Floyd has a chance to change how the Vikings align themselves and call plays as they give help to Clemmings’ side. Floyd has a decided advantage when these two battle one-on-one.
Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery vs. Vikings cornerback Terence Newman
With quarterback Jay Cutler set to start, Alshon Jeffery is probably the happiest player in the huddle. The two have trust and see coverages and defense through a shared set of eyes. Jeffery is still seeking his first touchdown of the season and has a tough challenge when matched up against Newman.
Vikings coach Mike Zimmer makes all the defensive calls. He uses a lot of press-man techniques with his corners on early downs, then dials up well-disguised fire-zone blitz packages on third downs. He has designed entire pressure packages from a base “mug” look to keep offensive lines guessing where the pressure is coming from with the ultimate goal of getting a lineman or linebacker on the running back.
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The 38-year old Newman is a 14-year veteran. He’s spent eight of his seasons working with Zimmer in three different cities. Per ProFootballFocus’ Sam Monson, he’s allowed completions on only 40 percent of the passes on which he’s been targeted, best in the league. He’s lost a step, but is adept at pattern recognition and matching.
The Bears will be forced to throw the ball in order to win. Jeffery has been the centerpiece in previous big games against Zimmer’s Vikings and I anticipate more of the same. What Jeffery lacks in deep speed he makes up for with length and vice-grip hand strength in contested situations. I expect Cutler to target Jeffery early and often in intermediate zones utilizing his ability to post Newman up and shield him from the ball with his body.
Bears left tackle Charles Leno vs. Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen
Bears offensive tackle Charles Leno has been able to hold down the job on the left side, but he’s struggled against better edge rushers. He had his hands full last week against the Packers rotation of outside linebackers. This week, he’ll have his toughest opponent of the season so far, Vikings right defensive end Everson Griffen, who leads the Vikings with four sacks.
Griffen is a complete pass rusher. He’s quick enough to gain the outside line, powerful enough to push straight through with a bull rush and crafty enough with his counter moves to win back inside. He will be a challenge for Leno, who gets into trouble by bending at his waist instead of his knees. This puts him in an overextended position with no leverage to redirect oncoming rushers.
The Bears will find it difficult to run the ball against the Vikings. They rank third in the league, allowing only 81.7 yards per game on the ground. Thus, the Bears are going to have to throw the ball to move the sticks. The Vikings “mug” the A-gap (put rushers on both sides of the center) to alter protection schemes and force the guards to block inside. That leaves offensive tackles in one-on-one situations. Griffen’s ability to convert speed-to-power and his arsenal of counter moves gives him an edge over Leno.