Three thoughts on the Vikings and Bears as they prepare for kickoff in Week 17:

1. Pat Shurmur should hope to land with the Bears. Talented young quarterback. A good power back, and a very elusive back. A strong defense. A stadium that should provide a strong home-field advantage.

He'd need to upgrade the receivers and the offensive coaching, but that's in his wheelhouse.

2. Laquon Treadwell is consistently the most impressive of the Vikings' receivers in warmups. He frequently catches passes with one hand, and in sweats he looks a lot like Dez Bryant - a big, physical presence.

Until he learns to create separation from defensive backs, he'll likely continue to do his best work on warmups.

3. The NFL would be crazy to expand the regular-season schedule. Here we are in Week 17 and dozens of star players are injured, few of the games are meaningful and teams that have been eliminated aren't drawing live fans or viewers.

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@Souhanstrib