Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) runs into place to move in the course of the first quarter towards the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell is effectively conscious of his workforce’s spectacular file.
O’Connell is aware of the Vikings have stunned many observers who projected them to complete at or close to the underside of the NFC North. He is aware of concerning the reward being directed his means for reviving the profession of journeyman quarterback Sam Darnold.
Nonetheless, O’Connell is just not happy. He desires to see his gamers take one other step ahead when the Vikings (8-2) go to the Chicago Bears (4-6) on Sunday alongside the shores of Lake Michigan.
“We have simply bought to proceed to get higher and show it,” O’Connell mentioned. “8-2 means completely nothing.”
This weekend’s division rivalry matchup ought to be one thing.
The Bears are determined to snap a four-game dropping streak and earn their first victory since Oct. 13. Chicago’s skid started when it misplaced on a Hail Mary move towards the Washington Commanders, and it turned 4 weeks outdated final Sunday when the Inexperienced Bay Packers blocked a 46-yard field-goal try by Bears kicker Cairo Santos as time expired.
Bears coach Matt Eberflus tried to remain upbeat regardless of the mounting losses.
“There have been lots of positives to construct from,” he mentioned. “That is what it’s a must to do.”
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams will attempt to construct upon a stable begin as he prepares to face the Vikings for the primary time in his younger profession. The rookie accomplished 23 of 31 passes for 231 yards final week towards Inexperienced Bay, and he carried the ball 9 occasions for 70 yards.
Chicago vast receiver DJ Moore, who had a team-high seven catches for 62 yards final week, mentioned he and his teammates ought to be capable of keep their optimistic momentum this week towards the Vikings’ top-10 protection.
“With all of the gamers we have, I hope we’re in a position to transfer the ball on all sorts of defenses — from the No. 1 protection within the league all the way down to the thirty second,” Moore mentioned. “I hope we are able to stick with it and hopefully get some wins out of it.”
Because the Bears look to cease a dropping streak, the Vikings will goal to keep up their successful streak. Minnesota is coming off victories towards the Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans over the previous three weeks.
Darnold has posted a 100.0 passer score in 10 begins this season. He has accomplished a career-best 67.9 p.c of his passes for two,387 yards, 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
The following landing move will mark a profession excessive for Darnold, who sputtered with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers earlier than serving because the San Francisco 49ers’ backup final season.
“I simply really feel like, you understand — not speaking about previous experiences in any respect — however I feel right here it is the element that we have had ever since OTAs, ever since April,” Darnold mentioned. “We have been in a position to lock in our progressions. Simply our ft, our eyes, the place they’re alleged to be. And simply being on time with the ideas.
“In the event you play like that, it makes the quarterback place just a little bit simpler.”
It additionally helps to have All-Professional wideout Justin Jefferson, who has 59 catches for 912 yards and 5 touchdowns. The Vikings’ prime rusher is former Packer Aaron Jones, who has 692 yards and a pair of touchdowns on the bottom.
The groups cut up their matchups final season. The Vikings received 19-13 in Chicago on Oct. 15, and the Bears responded with a 12-10 victory in Minneapolis on Nov. 27.
Chicago is 4-2 at dwelling this season. Minnesota is 4-1 on the street.
–Discipline Stage Media