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The Call: Vikings at Chicago

By Matt Vensel

November 1, 2015 at 3:49AM
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) was sacked by Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Tom Johnson (92) in the forth quarter at Ford Field Sunday October 25, 2015 in Detroit, MI. ] The Minnesota Vikings beat the Detroit Lions 28-19 Sunday at Ford Field. Jerry Holt/ Jerry.Holt@Startribune.com
Tom Johnson chased down Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford for one of the Vikings’ seven sacks last week. That raised their season total to 17. Sunday’s target will be Jay Cutler, who has been sacked eight times in his five starts. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

WEEK 8: Noon AT CHICAGO • Ch. 9 (100.3-FM, 1130-AM)

27

VIKINGS

17

BEARS

One man's prediction: It has been eight years since the Vikings won at Soldier Field, but they seem poised to end that streak and make it two straight road wins against NFC North rivals. The offense is starting to balance, the defense is one of the league's best, and kicker Blair Walsh has gotten his groove back. Plus, the Bears, in a rebuilding year, are pretty bad. It still won't be easy, but the Vikings should be able to improve to 3-0 in the division.

Three keys

Climbing the charts

The defense continues to ascend in coach Mike Zimmer's second season. The Vikings are tied for second in the NFL in scoring defense and rank seventh in yards allowed. Only eight teams have more sacks after they racked up seven in last week's win in Detroit. The Vikings will again be without defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd, but that shouldn't matter against a Bears offense that ranks 27th in the NFL in scoring.

A little help here

Adrian Peterson, assuming he doesn't chow down a bunch of seafood before kickoff, is expected to start despite a trio of injuries. He will get an exploitable matchup against a defense that is one of the league's worst when it comes to stopping the run. But the Vikings need to block better for Peterson. He rushed for 98 yards in the win over the Lions, but 14 of his 19 carries went for 2 or fewer yards.

Here's the kicker

Blair Walsh, the Vikings' fourth-year kicker, bounced back from a rough preseason and a shaky start in the games that matter to help the Vikings pick up a pair of wins the past two weeks. He has made his past 10 field-goal attempts, and two of his five field goals against the Lions were from beyond 50 yards. Sunday's outdoor game could provide tougher tests, though. Walsh is 6-for-8 in his career kicking in the Windy City.

Player to watch

Alshon Jeffery, Bears

The Bears' big wide receiver returned from an extended absence two weeks ago, and with eight catches for 147 yards and a touchdown in a loss to the Lions, it looked as if Jeffery's hamstring injury was behind him. That's bad news for the Vikings, who have been victimized by Jeffery in past meetings. Cornerback Xavier Rhodes will likely draw this assignment, and he has been beaten for four touchdowns this season.

Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) carries the ball against Detroit Lions safety James Ihedigbo (32) and linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 21, 2014, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) ORG XMIT: CXB1
Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) carries the ball against Detroit Lions safety James Ihedigbo (32) and linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 21, 2014, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) ORG XMIT: CXB1 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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about the writer

Matt Vensel

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