The Chicago Bears (4-9) travel to Minnesota for a Week 15 rematch against the NFC-leading Minnesota Vikings (11-2) on Monday Night Football. The Bears are looking to snap a seven-game losing streak, while the Vikings are on a roll, having won six straight. Their first meeting in Week 12 ended in a 30-27 overtime thriller, with Minnesota’s emerging stars stealing the show.
Minnesota’s offense hit a historic stride in last week’s 42-21 demolition of the Atlanta Falcons. Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison became the first pair of Vikings receivers to each record at least 100 yards and two touchdown catches in the same game. Addison, the team’s first-round pick in 2023, is quickly climbing the ranks of the NFL’s elite. His three-touchdown performance against Atlanta brought his career total to 17 in just 28 games — trailing only names like Randy Moss and Ja’Marr Chase for touchdowns before the age of 23.
Despite a rocky start to his career off the field and a battle with ankle injuries this season, Addison has been electric during the Vikings’ win streak. Over the last four games, he has caught 23 passes for 410 yards and five touchdowns. His ability to complement Jefferson, who continues to command double and triple coverage, has made the Vikings’ passing attack nearly impossible to stop. Jefferson, already rewriting NFL receiving records, had a quiet two-catch, 27-yard outing in their first meeting with Chicago but remains the focal point of Minnesota’s explosive offense.
Quarterback Sam Darnold, who replaced an injured Kirk Cousins earlier this year, has exceeded expectations. Over his last four games, Darnold has thrown for 1,158 yards, 11 touchdowns, and no interceptions, completing 68% of his passes. Last week, he received “MVP” chants from the Minnesota crowd, a testament to how well he’s settled into Kevin O’Connell’s system.
For the Bears, this season has been an exercise in resilience. Tight end Cole Kmet, one of the team’s few bright spots, admitted the mental toll the team’s struggles have taken during their seven-game losing streak. A pep talk from his father, Frank, helped him refocus as Chicago prepares for a difficult stretch to close out the season.
On defense, the Bears face the daunting task of trying to slow down a Vikings offense that has found its groove. In their previous meeting, Chicago succeeded in holding Jefferson in check but paid the price as Addison torched them for 162 yards and a touchdown, while tight end T.J. Hockenson added 114 yards of his own. The Bears will need better performances from linebacker T.J. Edwards and safety Jonathan Owens, who struggled in coverage against Addison during the last matchup, including allowing a pivotal 69-yard touchdown.
Darnold has been the catalyst for the Vikings’ winning streak. Can he continue his red-hot form against a Bears defense that has struggled to contain explosive offenses? The Bears limited Jefferson last time, but Addison took over. Will Chicago adjust its strategy, or will the Vikings continue to exploit their other playmakers?
The Bears offense has been inconsistent, making it difficult to keep pace with Minnesota’s high-powered attack. Quarterback Justin Fields will need a near-flawless performance to give Chicago a chance.
The Vikings can move closer to securing the NFC’s top seed with a win, while the Bears are playing for pride and evaluating their roster for the future. Chicago’s next game is at home against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, December 22, while Minnesota travels to Seattle for a pivotal NFC matchup.
Kickoff is set for 8:15 PM ET at U.S. Bank Stadium.
