The Minnesota Vikings sit at 4-5, and the margin for error is shrinking as the team heads into Week 11 against the Chicago Bears. For head coach Kevin O’Connell and his group, being at home only heightens the sense that this is one they need to defeat their NFC North rival.
The team let a tough one slip away in Week 10. The defense kept Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens in check through the first half, but the offense couldn’t turn those stops into enough points. Once Baltimore found its rhythm after halftime, Minnesota couldn’t keep pace.
Now the offense will try to regroup after a rough outing, with Justin Jefferson held to 37 yards on four catches in that loss. Despite Jefferson’s slow stretch, Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen isn’t taking any chances, knowing the wide receiver can break out at any moment.
“I think he’s got a great feel for the game,” Allen said about Jefferson while speaking to reporters on November 13. “He does a great job of understanding how to set up his routes to create separation. And I think more than anything else, this guy is one of the more competitive players we’ll go against. That’s what really makes great players great, no matter the position. He expects that every ball thrown his way is one he’s going to go make a play on.”
Are the Vikings In a Must-Win Situation Against the Bears?
The Vikings have a challenging schedule in their next three games, with two of them on the road, against the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks. As a result, Minnesota need a big game from Jefferson at home against the Bears if they want to keep their postseason hopes alive.
Moreover, this stretch of three games could determine their fate, according to NBC Sports’ NFL insider Mike Florio.
“Their backs are kind of against the wall,” Florio told NBC Sports NFL analyst Chris Simms on the November 13 edition of “Chris Simms Unbuttoned.” “They need to win two of the next three. They’ve got the Bears, at the Packers, at the Seahawks. If they don’t win two of the next three, they’re done.
Vikings Will Have Their Issues With Caleb Williams
While the Bears’ defensive coordinator will look to frustrate Jefferson as to avoid him waking up and putting up a performance many are used to seeing from him, Vikings coach Brian Flores will have his hands full with Caleb Williams.
Flores was asked about Williams’ ability to help Chicago come out on top in their close games, which is something Minnesota will look to avoid.
“He’s proven that in those moments he’s come up big multiple times, “ Flores told reporters on November 11. “It looks like he thrives in those situations, which for a young quarterback is certainly an area you want to see.
“For us, we know that when it comes down to those moments—which most NFL games do—we’ve got to be at our best because he’s going to be at his best, and so are they. It’s a division game, so that’s probably what it’s going to be: A 60-minute battle. We’ve got to prepare the right way. It’s going to be a big challenge.”
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