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Who Has the Advantage In Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears Week 11 Matchup?

Vikings vs. Bears: Which Team Has the Advantage?

Minnesota Vikings-Greg Jennings vs Bears
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Week 11 of the 2014 NFL season brings us the NFC North battle between the Minnesota Vikings and the Chicago Bears. The Bears (3-6) have found themselves at the bottom of the division, while the Vikings (4-5) are trying to gain momentum on a current two-game winning streak. Let’s see how both teams match up and declare who has the better chance of keeping their season alive.

Bears' Pass Offense vs. Vikings' Pass Defense

Chicago Bears-Jay Cutler vs Vikings
Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Bears' Pass Offense vs. Vikings' Pass Defense

Chicago Bears-Jay Cutler vs Vikings
Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

The Vikings are fourth in pass defense (213.6), while the Bears are averaging 251.7 passing yards per game. Minnesota’s 30 sacks on the season ranks third in the NFL, and Chicago has allowed 24 sacks on the season (10 sacks during their three-game losing streak). Until Jay Cutler proves he can eliminate the mistakes, Chicago’s passing game will always be in question.

Advantage: Vikings

Bears' Run Offense vs. Vikings' Run Defense

Chicago Bears-Matt Forte vs Vikings
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Bears' Run Offense vs. Vikings' Run Defense

Chicago Bears-Matt Forte vs Vikings
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The Bears are averaging only 97.2 yards on the ground, thanks in part to the lack of carries running back Matt Forte sees. Assuming that Forte carries the ball less than 20 times once again, Chicago’s running game and Minnesota’s run defense (112.8 YPG) could end in a stalemate.

Advantage: Even

Vikings' Pass Offense vs. Bears' Pass Defense

Minnesota Vikings-Greg Jennings vs Bears2
Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings' Pass Offense vs. Bears' Pass Defense

Minnesota Vikings-Greg Jennings vs Bears2
Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota’s 29th ranked passing game (197.1) doesn’t strike fear into the heart of any team. Having a total of only six passing touchdowns compared to 11 interceptions on the year, the Vikings’ air attack could be what the doctor ordered for the Bears’ struggling 28th ranked pass defense.

Advantage: Bears

Vikings' Run Offense vs. Bears' Run Defense

Minnesota Vikings-Adrian Peterson vs Bears
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Vikings' Run Offense vs. Bears' Run Defense

Minnesota Vikings-Adrian Peterson vs Bears
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The good news for Chicago is that they won’t have to worry about Vikings running back Adrian Peterson. Even though Minnesota is 10th in league in rushing (119.3), Vikings rookie running back Jerick McKinnon has averaged only 70.0 YPG since being promoted to starting running back. Fellow running back Matt Asiata has just been a goal line threat for an offense that’s averaging a lowly 18.7 points per game.

Advantage: Bears

Special Teams

Minnesota Vikings-Cordarrelle Patterson
Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Special Teams

Minnesota Vikings-Cordarrelle Patterson
Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson could be the X-factor in the return game against a Bears special teams unit that has had problems all season long. Patterson torched Chicago last year with a 105-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

Advantage: Vikings

Coaching

Minnesota Vikings-Mike Zimmer
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Coaching

Minnesota Vikings-Mike Zimmer
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Since Week 7, the Bears have drastically regressed as a team, and their coaching staff has yet to make the proper adjustments. Meanwhile, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer has his team on a two-game winning streak.

Advantage: Vikings

Who Has the Advantage?

Chicago Bears-Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery celebrate
Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Who Has the Advantage?

Chicago Bears-Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery celebrate
Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Across the board, this looks to be a pretty even matchup. However, Minnesota’s inability to put points on the board could end up biting them in the end, keeping the Bears on life support for another week.

Overall Advantage: Bears

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