Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) runs into position for a pass during the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell is well aware of his team’s impressive record.
O’Connell knows the Vikings surprised many observers who expected them to finish at or near the bottom of the NFC North. He knows the praise is pouring in his direction for reviving the career of Journeyman quarterback Sam Darnold.
But O’Connell is not satisfied. He wants to see his players take another step forward when the Vikings (8-2) visit the Chicago Bears (4-6) along the shores of Lake Michigan on Sunday.
“We have to continue to get better and prove it,” O’Connell said. “8-2 means absolutely nothing.”
This weekend’s division rival matchups should be interesting.
The Bears have snapped a four-game losing streak and are desperate to get their first win since Oct. 13. Chicago’s slide began with a loss at Hail Mary Pass against the Washington Commanders, and then collapsed in Week 4 last Sunday in Green Bay. The Packers blocked Bears kicker Cairo Santos’ 46-yard field goal attempt as time expired.
Bears coach Matt Eberflus tried to remain optimistic despite the mounting losses.
“There were a lot of positive elements that could be developed,” he said. “That’s what you need to do.”
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams will look to get off to a solid start as he prepares to face the Vikings for the first time in his young career. The rookie completed 23 of 31 passes for 231 yards and carried the ball nine times for 70 yards last week against Green Bay.
Chicago wide receiver DJ Moore, who had a team-high seven catches for 62 yards last week, said he and his teammates should be able to maintain positive momentum against the Vikings’ top-10 defense this week.
“With all the players we have, we want to be able to move the ball in every type of defense, from the best defense in the league to the 32nd best defense,” Moore said. “Hopefully we can keep winning.”
Just as the Bears look to stop their losing streak, the Vikings will aim to keep their winning streak alive. Minnesota has won against the Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans over the past three weeks.
Darnold has a 100.0 passer rating in 10 starts this season. He completed a career-high 67.9% of his passes for 2,387 yards, 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
The next touchdown pass would be a career high for Darnold, who played for the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers before serving as a backup for the San Francisco 49ers last season.
“We’re not talking about past experience at all, but I think these are the details we’ve had since OTAs, since April,” Darnold said. “We were able to lock in what was going on, just making sure our feet and eyes were where they needed to be and timing it to the concept.
“Playing like that makes the quarterback position a little easier.”
It also helps that they have All-Pro wideout Justin Jefferson, who has 59 catches for 912 yards and five touchdowns. The Vikings’ top rusher is former Packer Aaron Jones, who has 692 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
Last season, the two teams split their matchups. The Vikings won 19-13 in Chicago on Oct. 15, and the Bears won 12-10 in Minneapolis on Nov. 27.
Chicago has 4 wins and 2 losses at home this season. Minnesota is 4-1 on the road.
–Field level media
