Bears at Vikings preview: Injury updates, a look at recent matchups and more

On December 17, 2024By Littum

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (WGN) — The Chicago Bears travel to Minneapolis for Monday Night Football to face a surging Minnesota Vikings team that has won six straight and has a chance to give the Detroit Lions the lead in the NFC North in front of a national crowd.

The Bears, on the other hand, are in a completely different position.

They were officially eliminated from playoff contention with the results of Sunday’s games and are simply trying to snap their seven-game losing streak and end what has been a trying 2024 season – to say the least – on a high note before an offseason likely to be full-on changes again.

Kickoff is scheduled for 19 and is actually one of two MNF games this week. The Atlanta Falcons and Las Vegas Raiders kick off at 7:30 p.m. at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Here’s a look at who’s in and who’s out for the Bears vs. Vikings, plus how the teams stack up and how recent games have played out:

Report of bear damage

The Bears have four key players out as early as Monday night, and a fifth is a playing-time decision.

On Saturday, left tackle Braxton Jones was downgraded with a concussion, and Chicago team officials said Jones did not travel with the team to Minneapolis.

On Friday, the Bears ruled out offensive guard Ryan Bates (concussion), defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. (knee) and running back Roschon Johnson (concussion) for Monday’s game.

Running back D’Andre Swift, meanwhile, was listed as questionable with a groin injury.

The Bears will announce their inactive list in the hours leading up to kickoff.

Viking’s injury report

The Vikings are close to full strength as the only name appearing on their final injury report this week is corner Stephon Gilmore, who is listed as questionable for Monday night’s game with a hamstring injury.

The Vikings will also announce their inactive list before kickoff.

By the numbers

Chicago (4-9) at Minnesota (11-2)

BetMGM NFL Odds: Vikings with 7 (subject to change).

Bears Offense

PPG: 19.5 (24th)

YPG: 288.5 (32.)

Pass YPG: 182.7 (30th)

Rush YPG: 105.8 (23rd)

Yards per attempt: 4.1 (23.)

Bears Defense

Opponents PPG: 21.4 (10th)

Opponents YPG: 352.8 (24th)

Opponents pass YPG: 218.0 (17th)

Opponents Rush YPG: 134.8 (26th)

Opponent 3. Down Conversion %: 35.37% (8th)

Attack of the Vikings

PPG: 26.1 (9th)

YPG: 351.4 (11.)

Pass YPG: 238.2 (8.)

Rush YPG: 113.2 (15th)

Yards per attempt: 4.1 (24th)

The Vikings’ defense

Opponents PPG: 18.5 (4th)

Opponents YPG: 337.8 (15th)

Opponents pass YPG: 250.6 (30th)

Opponents Rush YPG: 87.2 (2nd)

Opponent 3. Down Conversion %: 36.26% (10th)

Earlier this season

The teams met for the first time this season on Nov. 24 at Soldier Field for a Week 12 game, and it was a barn burner.

The Bears trailed 24-10 after three quarters, but rallied furiously to tie the game in the final minutes, scoring a touchdown, converting the 2-point attempt, recovering an onside kick and getting in position for a 48-yard field goal field goal by Cairo Santos as regulation expired to tie, 27-27.

Alas, the Bears scored on their only possession in overtime and the Vikings kicked a field goal to escape with the win, 30-27.

The good news for the Bears from that game, however, was the performance of rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. Against a stout Vikings defense, he passed for 340 yards and two touchdowns, ran for another 33 yards, didn’t turn the ball over and nearly pulled off the epic comeback win.

It was truly a microcosm of the entire Bears season. Not much has gone right, but at least it looks like they finally got their franchise quarterback, as WGN Radio’s Kevin Powell said during his weekly appearance on the WGN Weekend Morning News (see attached video).

Last 5 games

November 24, 2024: CHI – 27 MIN – 30

November 27, 2023: CHI – 12MIN – 10

October 15, 2023: CHI – 13, MIN – 19

January 8, 2023: CHI – 13, MIN – 29

October 9, 2022: CHI – 22, MIN – 29

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