MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (WGN) — The Chicago Bears travel to Minneapolis for Monday Night Football to face a surging Minnesota Vikings team that’s won six straight and has a chance to tie the Detroit Lions for the NFC North lead in front of a national audience.
The Bears, on the other hand, are in a far different position.
They were officially eliminated from the playoffs with the results of Sunday’s games and are just trying to snap their seven-game losing streak and finish off what’s been a trying 2024 season — to say the least — on a high note, before an offseason likely full of big changes again.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. and is actually one of two MNF games this week. The Atlanta Falcons and Las Vegas Raiders kick off at 7:30 p.m. at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Here’s a look at who’s in and who’s out for Bears vs. Vikings, plus how the teams stack up head-to-head and how recent matchups have played out:
Bears injury report
The Bears have four key players out already for Monday night and a fifth that’s a game-time decision.
On Saturday, left tackle Braxton Jones was downgraded to out with a concussion, and Chicago team officials said Jones did not travel with the team to Minneapolis.
On Friday, the Bears ruled out offensive guard Ryan Bates (concussion), defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. (knee) and running back Roschon Johnson (concussion) for Monday’s game.
Running back D’Andre Swift, meanwhile, was listed as questionable with a groin injury.
The Bears will announce their inactives list in the hours leading up to kickoff.
Vikings injury report
The Vikings are near full strength, as the only name to appear on their final injury report this week is corner Stephon Gilmore, listed as questionable for Monday night’s game due to a hamstring injury.
The Vikings will announce their inactives list prior to kickoff, as well.
By the numbers
Chicago (4-9) at Minnesota (11-2)
BetMGM NFL odds: Vikings by 7 (subject to change).
Bears Offense
PPG: 19.5 (24th)
YPG: 288.5 (32nd)
Pass YPG: 182.7 (30th)
Rush YPG: 105.8 (23rd)
Yards Per Attempt: 4.1 (23rd)
Bears Defense
Opponents PPG: 21.4 (10th)
Opponents YPG: 352.8 (24th)
Opponents Pass YPG: 218.0 (17th)
Opponents Rush YPG: 134.8 (26th)
Opponent 3rd Down Conversion %: 35.37% (8th)
Vikings Offense
PPG: 26.1 (9th)
YPG: 351.4 (11th)
Pass YPG: 238.2 (8th)
Rush YPG: 113.2 (15th)
Yards Per Attempt: 4.1 (24th)
Vikings Defense
Opponents PPG: 18.5 (4th)
Opponents YPG: 337.8 (15th)
Opponents Pass YPG: 250.6 (30th)
Opponents Rush YPG: 87.2 (2nd)
Opponent 3rd Down Conversion %: 36.26% (10th)
Earlier this season
The teams met for the first time this season on Nov. 24 at Soldier Field for a Week 12 matchup, and it was a barnburner.
The Bears trailed 24-10 after three quarters but rallied furiously to tie the game in the final minutes when they scored a touchdown, converted the 2-point try, recovered an onside kick and got in position for a 48-yard field goal by Cairo Santos as regulation expired to tie the game, 27-27.
Alas, the Bears punted on their only possession in overtime, and the Vikings kicked a field goal to escape with the win, 30-27.
The good news for the Bears from that game, however, was the performance of rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. Against a stout Vikings defense, he passed for 340 yards and two touchdowns, ran for another 33 yards, didn’t turn the ball over and nearly pulled off the epic comeback win.
It was a microcosm for the entire Bears season, really. Not much has gone right, but at least appears they finally have their franchise quarterback, as WGN Radio’s Kevin Powell said during his weekly appearance on the WGN Weekend Morning News (see attached video).
Last 5 matchups
Nov. 24, 2024: CHI – 27, MIN – 30
Nov. 27, 2023: CHI – 12, MIN – 10
Oct. 15, 2023: CHI – 13, MIN – 19
Jan. 8, 2023: CHI – 13, MIN – 29
Oct. 9, 2022: CHI – 22, MIN – 29
