Bears at Vikings
Having played themselves out of postseason contention despite winning their first five games, the Minnesota Vikings will look to avoid finishing with a losing record when they host the Chicago Bears on Sunday in the regular-season finale. The Vikings have dropped eight of 10 since the 5-0 start, including a 20-10 defeat at Chicago in Week 8.
The loss to the Bears represented a tipping point of sorts for Minnesota, a setback that was followed two days later by the surprise resignation of offensive coordinator Norv Turner. Another soap opera surfaced after last week's loss at Green Bay amid reports that the defensive backs ignored coach Mike Zimmer's game plan on coverage assignments, although all parties later attributed the issue to "miscommunication." Chicago has lost three in a row and six of seven -- the lone victory in that span over two-win San Francisco -- since beating the Vikings. Another defeat would match a franchise record for losses (13) and leave the Bears winless on the road for the first time in team history.
TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Vikings -6.5. O/U: 42.5
ABOUT THE VIKINGS (7-8): Running back Adrian Peterson, who returned from a three-month absence with six carries against Indianapolis in Week 15, has not practiced since and could sit out his second straight game due to groin and knee injuries. Despite the offense's struggles, quarterback Sam Bradford owns the highest completion percentage (71.3) in history and has received high marks across the board from Zimmer. “Maybe this is the best year he’s ever had,” Zimmer said. “If you put all those together and look at the things he’s had to deal with, I think he’s been amazing.” Minnesota's defense has unraveled in the past two weeks, surrendering 72 points in losses to Indianapolis and Green Bay.
ABOUT THE BEARS (3-12): Injuries to Jay Cutler and backup Jay Hoyer have forced Chicago to go forward with third-string quarterback Matt Barkley, who has labored over the past two games with twice as many interceptions (8) as touchdown passes (4). On Wednesday, Barkley said there was a "lot to learn" from the five-interception debacle in last week's 41-21 loss to the Washington Redskins. “I think the big picture was just if it don’t feel right, it’s not right. Don’t try to force things or try to make a big play out of nothing," Barkley said. "When the timing is off, just don’t make a bad play worse." Rookie Jordan Howard rushed for a season-high 153 yards in the first meetings versus the Vikings.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Bradford, sacked five times by Chicago in the first meeting, is trying to eclipse the single-season completion percentage (Drew Brees, 71.2).
2. Bears WR Alshon Jeffery has 607 yards and six TDs in the past six matchups against Minnesota.
3. Vikings WR Stefon Diggs (hip), who had eight catches for 76 yards and a TD in October, did not practice Wednesday or Thursday.