Vikings at Bears

[CharVike]

KOC is 5-1 vs the Bears with the only loss coming when we had nothing at QB. I think we win this game providing we don't play stupid football and give it away with turnovers, missed FGs, penalties ect. The media is building up the Bears big time because of a new HC and his ability to score. That's true but he also coached the most talented offensive roster from top to bottom. The Bears don't have that. Again they are trying to piece together an OL that can compete against the better defensive fronts. Sound familiar? Their secondary has some injuries and Jaylon Johnson who is very good has been limited and I doubt is 100% healthy. Jefferson should have a good game and Nailor should get some chances deep. We should be able to run the ball effectively. The D will make some big plays which will turn the tide in our favor. I see a win 27-13.

[Cliff]

Thanks for posting! I was just about to get something going myself.

So much rides on JJM it's hard to know where the Vikings stand. On paper the running game should be better and protection should be better which should help. He built a lot of chemistry with Addison in the off season so it's rough to be missing him. On defense if Dallas Turner can live up to his draft credentials they could be really scary. Of course we all know how CB looks so the secondary is a big question mark. Especially if Harrison Smith can't play. He's no spring chicken, but his experience would be missed.

I think the Vikings can pull out a win but JJM is going to have to play well for them to have a real chance. So we'll see!

On the Bears side there's a lot of talk about Caleb Williams not gelling with the coaching staff. There have even been reports that he's got a learning disability or dyslexia which would be a pretty big deal in an offense like the one Ben Johnson ran in Detroit. It didn't appear to be particularly simple. If he can live up to his talent and grasp the new offense the Bears are going to be tough. If he can't, the Vikings defense with all of their crazy looks should give him fits.

[Cliff]

Enemy Fan Forum:

https://www.bearsfansonline.com/forum/v ... 67#p428767

Baseless speculations just for "fun:"
Bears first drive is an impressive scoring march, the crowd goes apeshit. They do not score a touchdown for the remainder of the game, and WSCR fields hours of calls the remainder of the week demanding that Bagent start.
Cairo Santos hits 4 field goals, two from 50+.
Joe Thuney plays two quarters, then doesn't appear in the second half. It is revealed he had offseason back surgery and is at like 40%. The Bears place him on IR.
JJ McCarthy throws 3 picks, but still somehow keeps the Vikings within firing distance thanks to Jefferson eating our DBs alive and the offense stalling out.
Bears win 19-17.

https://www.bearsfansonline.com/forum/v ... 87#p428787

Bears 23
Vikings 21

McCarthy throws three long TD passes to a wide open Justin Jefferson, but also throws a pick 6 (Gordon takes it in).

Caleb plays like #### for 3 quarters - boo birds and chants for "Bagent" blanket the lakefront. But, then, 4th quarter Caleb appears. He leads the Bears to 13 points - their only offensive TD and two FGs, including the game winner as time expires.

The Bears win, Caleb goes from being the worst player on the field to coming through when it counts, and the doubts over Caleb's NFL future remain unabated.

https://www.bearsfansonline.com/forum/v ... 13#p428813

I'm so jaded as a Bears fan. I can't actually believe that something is going to work until I see the actual product. Vikings have a great defense, and they have Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. It would be just like the Bears to have the new QB for the Vikes be a world beater. I don't think he will be ... but Bears. Unfortunately I think there will be some growing pains on the offense and disorganization on the defense. Enough so that we can't seem to get out of our own way for game 1.

Vikings - 24
Bears - 16

[Cliff]

The Vikings/Bears matchup is really about Brian Flores vs. Ben Johnson

[VikingsFan12345]

When is the last time a rookie won a game in his first start? I am not sure if Vikings will win but we will see

[ERIK the PURPLE]

I’m cautiously optimistic. I just hope this season isn’t one like 1979 when Tommy K took over the starting role. Vikes 27, Bears 23.

[CharVike]

When is the last time a rookie won a game in his first start? I am not sure if Vikings will win but we will see

For a start Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Michael Penix Jr and Bo Nix won their 1st start. I'm sure it's been done many times before that. I don't see that as a problem. If JJM throws a bunch of interceptions then yea that will be a problem. If he can't remember the play or snap count then again big problem.

[Cliff]

Update: The Vikings ruled out running back Zavier Scott and defensive lineman Elijah Williams. Safety Harrison Smith was listed as doubtful. Tackle Christian Darrisaw was listed as questionable.

[psjordan]

Too many new pieces for me to even guess how this game will go. So my bar is set pretty low, and I will simply be interested in:

JJM, of course. He doesn't have to be much more than a nervous rookie that shows he's got a good head on his shoulders and a decent arm. I'll be happy with that, and no injuries of course. I don't want to see Wentz unless it's an absolute blowout.

Turner - would like to see him get decent playing time, and of course produce. But if he simply gets PT, to me that means BFlo has confidence in him. Which I'd be happy with at this point. Would love to see at least one of the younger DL really surprise.

Jordan Ponchez Mason - I think he will have a chance to shine in this offense. If he can pick up blitzes and provide a nice outlet for JJM, I'll be happy.

Kicking game - just don't suck please.

Offensive gameplan - I really hope to see a few creative things. This is probably the one and only area I will be very disappointed in if it does not look Top-10 NFL-wise. So my bar is high for KOC and crew.

I'm not looking for anyone to be perfect. I'm not looking for zero mistakes. Just looking for really solid basics to be there, whether it results in a W or not.

[CharVike]

H Smith is out and didn't take the trip to Chicago.

[VikingsFan12345]

H Smith is out and didn't take the trip to Chicago.

So who is replacing him?

[CharVike]

H Smith is out and didn't take the trip to Chicago.

So who is replacing him?

Safety Theo Jackson is expected to replace Harrison Smith on Monday night for the Minnesota Vikings, with Josh Metellus also set to play a larger role in the secondary. Smith has been ruled out due to a personal health issue and has not traveled with the team for the game against the Chicago Bears.

[CharVike]

Enemy Fan Forum:

https://www.bearsfansonline.com/forum/v ... 67#p428767

Baseless speculations just for "fun:"
Bears first drive is an impressive scoring march, the crowd goes apeshit. They do not score a touchdown for the remainder of the game, and WSCR fields hours of calls the remainder of the week demanding that Bagent start.
Cairo Santos hits 4 field goals, two from 50+.
Joe Thuney plays two quarters, then doesn't appear in the second half. It is revealed he had offseason back surgery and is at like 40%. The Bears place him on IR.
JJ McCarthy throws 3 picks, but still somehow keeps the Vikings within firing distance thanks to Jefferson eating our DBs alive and the offense stalling out.
Bears win 19-17.

https://www.bearsfansonline.com/forum/v ... 87#p428787

Bears 23
Vikings 21

McCarthy throws three long TD passes to a wide open Justin Jefferson, but also throws a pick 6 (Gordon takes it in).

Caleb plays like #### for 3 quarters - boo birds and chants for "Bagent" blanket the lakefront. But, then, 4th quarter Caleb appears. He leads the Bears to 13 points - their only offensive TD and two FGs, including the game winner as time expires.

The Bears win, Caleb goes from being the worst player on the field to coming through when it counts, and the doubts over Caleb's NFL future remain unabated.

https://www.bearsfansonline.com/forum/v ... 13#p428813

I'm so jaded as a Bears fan. I can't actually believe that something is going to work until I see the actual product. Vikings have a great defense, and they have Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. It would be just like the Bears to have the new QB for the Vikes be a world beater. I don't think he will be ... but Bears. Unfortunately I think there will be some growing pains on the offense and disorganization on the defense. Enough so that we can't seem to get out of our own way for game 1.

Vikings - 24
Bears - 16

These are actually funny.

[VikingLord]

The biggest factors in this game from my perspective are:

- How Caleb Williams handles pressure. Flores is going to bring it. The Bears should be improved up front but Williams is not a "system" QB. He's like an anti-Goff, and I predict increasing friction between Williams and Johnson as the season progresses. However, in this particular game Williams is going to see some heat and how he reacts to that is going to go a long way towards determining whether the Bears offense can stay on the field.

- On the flip side, how McCarthy handles pressure. In his limited play time to this point McCarthy has made some questionable decisions with the football when under pressure. The Bears are going to put him to the test and he's going to have to show he can handle it. While I expect McCarthy to handle it differently than Williams will handle it on the other offense, this is going to be a really good test for him. In an ideal world he looks a bit shaky at first but then settles down and starts to beat it. That is what I think will happen, but the first couple of drives might be a bit bumpy.

- I think defenses determine the outcome of this game. Not just because of the tendencies of the two starting quarterbacks, but because I think both teams defenses will come ready to play and have some dangerous playmakers at all levels. Can one of the teams generate a key turnover or get a key stop? Offensive execution and precision will be needed by the winner of this game.

- The game within the game between the two head coaches. Ben Johnson got the better of KOC last year. Can he work the same magic now that he's calling all the shots and without having the elite cast of skill position players at his disposal? Can KOC come up with a gameplan that better anticipates what Johnson is likely to have his team do? I think the Vikings open heavy with the run and short passing game and will open it up as the game goes on and they settle in.

I'm really excited to see what McCarthy can do. It's been forever since the Vikings handed the reigns to a young QB like this. Its scary because nobody knows what we're going to see, but exciting because nobody knows what we're going to see. Is McCarthy going to be the real deal? Will we see flashes of future greatness and composure or will the Bears put him in his place and leave everyone wondering if the Vikings made a mistake picking him early.

I think the Vikings win this game on a big defensive stop or a turnover late. I also think it will be a low scoring game. Something on the order of 14-10.

[Cliff]

Darrisaw is out.

Inactives

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