(WBBM Newsradio) The Bears (2-1) host the Vikings (2-1) in a key NFC North game at Soldier Field at Soldier Field on Sunday afternoon.
Kickoff is set for 3:25 p.m., and the game can be heard on air on WBBM Newsradio 780 and 105.9 FM. You can also listen on desktop computers here.
Let's break down the keys to the game for the Bears.
Offense
-- A big game like this calls for some big plays in big moments. The Bears need some.
-- This game features some of the best outside defenders in the league on both teams. Vikings defensive coordinator George Edwards is fortunate to turn his ends loose and wreak havoc. Danielle Hunter and Everson Griffen have combined for five sacks, 11 quarterback hits and seven tackles for loss in the first three weeks. Blocking them and crossing them up is a key challenge for the Bears. And the Vikings' interior is tough to root out in the running game. The Bears will need to look for some escape routes to keep the Vikings off balance.
-- Blocking Vikings middle linebacker Eric Kendricks and strong-side linebacker Anthony Barr is an important aspect of getting the chains moving. Kendricks is off to a great start, making a lot of tackles. Barr was sidelined last week, but his size and athleticism is impressive.
-- Harrison Smith is still one of the best safeties in the game and pilots the show. The Vikings thrive on his experience and the continuity that they've created in playing together for many seasons.
-- Like the Bears defense, the Vikings defense focuses on limiting big plays. Each defense has allowed only eight explosive plays this season. Getting chunks of yards on first down is important, so the edge rushers aren't turned loose on third down. The Bears' running game must find a rhythm.
-- Staying out of third-and-long will be one of the biggest keys of the game for the Bears. It's what the Vikings defense preys on.
Defense
-- Vikings running back Dalvin Cook carried a combined 20 times for 51 yards in two games against the Bears in 2018. If that happens Sunday, the Bears will have taken away the Vikings' best weapon.
-- Influenced by assistant head coach Gary Kubiak, Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski is using the strengths of his offensive line and Cook to create a dangerous zone-cutback attack that fuels the play-action pass game of quarterback Kirk Cousins.
-- Bears defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano’s anthem for the week is "no edge, no chance," which is to say don’t let Cook turn the corner or cutback to daylight. Gap discipline is critical. Cook averages 6.6 yards per carry. On second down, his 22 carries have produced 10.4 yards per carry and three touchdowns, including a 75-yard gallop in Green Bay.
-- Persistent and consistent penetration behind the line of scrimmage is necessary to slow the Vikings' running game, which also includes rookie thumper Alexander Mattison. Cook and Mattison have combined for 15 runs of 10 yards or more and 21 first downs.
-- Given how dominant Bears edge rusher Khalil Mack is right now, the Vikings will pay him a lot of attention, which should open a bunch of opportunities for the rest of the front seven. Cousins is 28th in the league in passing attempts, so he isn’t dropping to throw much. He has been sacked only twice and intercepted twice.
-- Interestingly, dangerous receiver Stefon Diggs has been targeted only a dozen times, catching six passes. He did score a 45-yard touchdown against the Packers and had a 31-yard catch against the Falcons. He remains a threat, and his lack of targets isn't related to a drop in skill or speed.
-- Diggs is complemented by the impact of fellow receiver Adam Thielen, who's averaging 15.7 yards per catch with touchdowns of 23 and 35 yards. Rookie tight end Irv Smith Jr. is bidding to become the No. 3 target after his three-catch, 60-yard effort against Oakland. Keeping this trio from explosive plays is critical.
Special teams
-- The Bears are preparing for a really good Vikings special teams unit. They're excellent in coverage.
-- Return specialist Marcus Sherels re-signed with the Vikings this. He has Bears special team coordinator Chris Tabor’s attention.
-- Sherels averaged 12.0 yards on his punt returns in 2018 and owns five career punt return touchdowns. He has averaged 12.8 yards in his career against the Bears with a touchdown. Limiting Sherels is a key in the field position battle.
-- The Bears' kick coverage gave up a 45-yard return to the Redskins' Steven Sims on Monday. The unit is on alert.
Intangibles
-- This is setting up as a good old-fashioned Black and Blue Division brawl. The Bears have to be the bully on the block.
-- Forcing Cousins into turnovers early would ignite Soldier Field and get the crowd into a frenzy. The Bears sacked him six times last season. In the 2018 regular-season finale, they held Cousins to 4.0 yards per pass attempt and 132 yards. Getting him jumpy and uncomfortable is the mental battle the defense must win.
-- There's a lot on the line in this game. Improving to 3-1 before heading to London to face the Raiders and then having a bye would set the Bears up nicely for the tough grind ahead.
-- The Bears also have a lot to lose given the impact of division home games and the history that comes with finding paths to the playoffs.