
Every Friday morning, we'll answer Twitter and email questions submitted for these mailbags and our twice-a-week Access Vikings podcasts. Check out or latest podcast previewing Sunday's game in Chicago.
Q: Shouldn't the Vikings slide protection to where Khalil Mack is lined up and take him out of the game? He is their best player. — @vikingmaniac
AK: Take a look at last year's season finale against the Bears, when coordinator Kevin Stefanski called his third game, Khalil Mack was shut out of the stat sheet (not even a tackle) and they lost 24-10. The problem is the Bears defense, especially when DT Akiem Hicks is healthy, can overpower the offensive line from multiple directions.
The Vikings offense started that game with four three-and-outs. During that stretch, Mack had two pressures on Cousins while his teammates — Eddie Goldman (sack), Hicks (sack), Leonard Floyd (tackle for a loss) — made impact plays. They schemed Mack by running away from him and chipping him with a tight end in pass protection, but the Vikings offense was no match in other areas.
The Vikings' interior line needs to play better than it did last season against the Bears. Mike Zimmer said as much Wednesday when addressing how critical timing will be to the Vikings' quick passing game at Soldier Field. "It'll be important to keep the middle of the pocket clean," Zimmer said, "so we don't get balls batted down."
In short, the Vikings need to scheme around Mack again, but the game can also be won or lost with other matchups up front.
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Q: How much should we expect from Treadwell and Sherels on Sunday? Their previous time with the team should make this an easy plug and play, right? — @Trimp3