Caleb Williams getting rid of the ball more quickly was one of the most noticeable differences between the Bears’ offense with Thomas Brown instead of Shane Waldron. That figures to come into play again this week against a Brian Flores defense that loves to pressure the quarterback.
Every game is a chess match, but this one has a little more intrigue, with the Vikings having seen Brown’s effect on the Bears’ offense and with Brown challenged to adjust and react to whatever Flores comes up with.
This is where having better weapons comes into play against the fourth-ranked scoring defense in the NFL — wide receivers Keenan Allen, DJ Moore and Rome Odunze, tight ends Cole Kmet and Gerald Everett and running back D’Andre Swift. Under Waldron, the Bears’ only sustained success despite those upgrades came against weaker defenses. It’s a huge opportunity for Brown to show how much of a difference the offensive-coordinator change can make. Allen (ankle) and Swift (groin) are questionable but expected to play.
The key matchup is the Bears’ offensive line against a Vikings defensive front that leads the NFL in rushing defense. Winning early downs — like the Packers did often against the Bears last week — will be a big key to success. But that’s another area where Brown will have to make a difference. The Bears are 28th in the NFL in first-down yardage (4.2 average), with 13 sacks (second-most in the NFL), and 28th in second-down yardage (4.5 average), with 11 sacks (sixth-most in the NFL).
A week after complementary football failed the Bears in the clutch, their defense, which ranks seventh in points allowed, has an opportunity to give Williams and the offense a little breathing room against a Vikings offense that has cooled off a bit after a hot start.
Unless the Bears can produce turnovers, their sagging run defense again will be in the spotlight against a Vikings rushing offense led by former Packers running back Aaron Jones (157 carries, 692 yards, 4.4 average, two touchdowns) that ranks 19th in the NFL but has been more than capable on several occasions this season.
The Bears, despite being in the top 10 in several defensive categories, are a mystifying 23rd in rushing defense and 26th in rushing yards per carry.
The key matchup is cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson, Terell Smith and Kyler Gordon against All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson (59 receptions, 912 yards, five touchdowns, 15.5 yards per catch, 91.2 yards per game).
Jefferson is clearly the Vikings’ biggest threat, but the Bears will defend him by committee rather than have Johnson shadow him.
“That’s how we play,” Bears cornerbacks coach and defensive passing-game coordinator Jon Hoke said. “We play left and right, and there’s reasons why we do it. I think we’ve played pretty good defense statistically this year. And we played better during the second half last year. So [that strategy] works for the way we’re set up right now.”
