5 things to watch in Bears vs. Vikings

The Bears will face the Vikings twice in the span of 21 days to end the season. The first will be Monday night at Soldier Field.

The Vikings (6-7) face the Bears (4-9) with major playoff implications for Minnesota. With four games remaining, and the Packers and Rams still on the schedule, the Vikings have to be looking at these two games against the Bears as must-win contests.

The Bears have won five out of six games against Minnesota during Matt Nagy's tenure as coach. The last three meetings have been decided by six points or fewer.

Here's what to watch for in Monday's game.

1. Who exactly is playing for the Bears?

The Bears are having some significant COVID-19 issues among the team. As of Friday, the team had 11 players on the COVID-19 list. That list included some high-profile starters: receiver Allen Robinson, safety Eddie Jackson and right tackle Larry Borom, among others.

There could be a significant number of reserve players pulled up from the practice squad ahead of Monday's game. How do the Bears weather that storm? They have enough issues as it is when their starters are in the game. A mix-and-match approach due to COVID-19 is not going to help.

The Bears could also be without all three coordinators: offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, defensive coordinator Sean Desai and special teams coordinator Chris Tabor, who are all currently out due to COVID-19 protocols.

2. Dalvin Cook is back and better than ever

Vikings running back Dalvin Cook missed one game with a shoulder injury, but he returned in monster fashion last week against Pittsburgh. He ran for 205 yards and 2 touchdowns on 27 carries, averaging 7.59 yards per carry.

In five career games against the Bears, Cook has averaged 62.8 rushing yards per game, a modest total by his standards. The Vikings are 1-4 in those games. The 2021 Bears rank in the bottom half of the league against the run, allowing 120 rushing yards per game (24th among 32 teams). The potential return of defensive tackle Akiem Hicks, who has been out with an ankle injury, would provide a significant boost against the run.

3. Pressure Kirk Cousins

No NFC North opponent has sacked quarterback Kirk Cousins more than the Bears. In seven games against the Bears, they've sacked him 19 times. The easiest way to force Cousins into mistakes is with a solid pass rush.

The Vikings allow opponents to pressure Cousins on 26.5% of dropbacks, which ranks fifth-worst in the NFL. Bears pass rusher Robert Quinn should be looking to add to an already historic season.

The Bears will be rushing against either a backup left tackle, or a rookie who has missed two straight games. Vikings starting left tackle Christian Darrisaw missed the last two games with an ankle injury. Darrisaw, the No. 23 overall draft pick last spring, is working his way back into practice this week. Oli Udoh has started in Darrisaw's place at left tackle after moving over from right guard.

4. How does Teven Jenkins respond?

The Bears have their own issues with rookies playing at tackle. It seems fair to give rookie Teven Jenkins a pass after coming in on short notice Sunday in Green Bay when starting left tackle Jason Peters sprained his ankle.

What will be more telling is how he responds this week with a full week of practice as the starting left tackle. Peters seems unlikely to play, meaning the job will likely belong to Jenkins. More than anything, Sunday's four-penalty performance can be a learning experience for the 39th overall draft pick.

Remember, Jenkins hadn't played in a game in over a year. He could still be a work in progress, even with a week of practice under his belt. But the penalties, especially, are easily fixable.

5. Can the Bears' secondary step up?

The Packers exploited an outmatched Bears secondary last week. Cornerback Jaylon Johnson held his own against Packers star receiver Davante Adams, but the Packers schemed up ways to get Adams matched up against other defensive backs.

Currently, safety Eddie Jackson and cornerback Artie Burns are on the COVID-19 list. Safety DeAndre Houston-Carson is expected to go on injured reserve with a broken forearm. The Bears are going to have to bring a patchwork secondary up to speed quickly. Cornerback Kindle Vildor could be thrust into the lineup again and the Bears are hoping safety Duke Shelley is finally ready to return off IR.

Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson is second in the NFL with 1,288 receiving yards. That includes eight touchdowns on 85 receptions.