The Chicago Bears are in a refreshing new place, coming off a Week 5 street victory over the Washington Commanders and again residence to face the reeling Minnesota Vikings. With the offense all of a sudden buzzing and the protection exhibiting indicators of enchancment, the Bears have a chance to push their momentum ahead.
As Sunday’s kickoff (midday, Fox-32) nears, listed below are 12 eye-catching details and figures.
922
Total yards by the Bears offense during the last two video games, their highest two-game output since racking up 950 yards towards the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Miami Dolphins in Weeks 4 and 6 of 2018. The Bears scored 68 factors during the last two video games, their highest two-game complete since scoring 74 in Weeks 16 and 17 of 2020. They averaged 6.9 yards per play the final two weeks.
27-531-5
Catches, receiving yards and touchdowns for Bears vast receiver DJ Moore over the primary 5 video games. That places him on tempo for 92 receptions, 1,805 yards and 17 TDs. The latter two would set single-season franchise information for yards (1,508 by Brandon Marshall in 2012) and receiving touchdowns (13 by Dick Gordon in 1970 and Ken Kavanaugh in 1947). Moore is the primary NFL receiver because the New England Patriots’ Randy Moss in 2007 to common not less than 100 receiving yards with not less than 5 TD catches in his first 5 video games with a brand new workforce.
158.3
Justin Fields’ passer ranking when concentrating on Moore this season. Yep, that’s certainly excellent. Fields has thrown to Moore 34 instances with 27 completions for 531 yards and 5 touchdowns. When throwing to everybody else, Fields has a 70.3 ranking. Moore had eight catches, 230 yards and three touchdowns in final week’s win over the Commanders and was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week.
877
Rushing yards over the ultimate 11 video games of final season for operating again D’Onta Foreman, who was with the Carolina Panthers. Foreman signed with the Bears in free company this spring however has been a wholesome scratch the final 4 video games. He figures to tackle a heightened function this week with Khalil Herbert anticipated to overlook Sunday’s recreation with an ankle harm and Roschon Johnson nonetheless in concussion protocol. Foreman excelled when compelled into a much bigger function final 12 months in Carolina, turning into the Panthers’ lead again after they traded Christian McCaffrey to the San Francisco 49ers. After that commerce, he averaged 4.6 yards per carry and scored 5 touchdowns whereas topping 100 dashing yards in 5 video games.
8
Fumbles misplaced by the Vikings within the first 5 video games, a league worst. The Vikings rank final within the NFL in turnover margin at minus-9. Ten of their 12 turnovers have come earlier than halftime. They have misplaced the turnover battle in all 5 video games after shedding it solely six instances in 18 video games (together with the playoffs) a 12 months in the past.
9
Consecutive division losses for the Bears, who haven’t crushed an NFC North opponent since downing the Lions 16-14 in Detroit on Thanksgiving in 2021. Since Lovie Smith was fired after the 2012 season, the Bears have a .311 successful proportion (19-42) in division video games.
1-9
Fields’ document as a starter in NFC North video games, together with an 0-2 mark towards the Vikings. He defeated the Lions in his first division begin in Week 4 of his rookie season in 2021 however has since misplaced 9 straight NFC North begins by a mean rating of 31-18.
56.2
Blitz proportion, based on Pro Football Reference, for the Vikings protection via 5 video games. That’s the very best blitz fee within the NFL — 113 cases wherein the Vikings despatched further strain. They have 13 sacks and 43 quarterback pressures however rank twenty second in passing yards allowed (240 per recreation).
7
Career 4,000-yard passing seasons for quarterback Kirk Cousins, together with 4 with the Vikings. Cousins is on tempo to set profession highs for passing yards (5,093) and landing passes (44). Since becoming a member of the Vikings in 2018, Cousins has thrown 166 landing passes, the second-highest complete within the NFL throughout that span behind Patrick Mahomes (202).
5,396
Career receiving yards for Vikings vast receiver Justin Jefferson in 55 video games, together with 585 in six video games towards the Bears. Jefferson will miss Sunday’s recreation after being positioned on injured reserve this week with a hamstring concern. As has been well-documented, Jefferson’s profession complete already surpasses the Bears document for receiving yards — 5,059 by Johnny Morris from 1958-67.
30
Receptions by Vikings tight finish T.J. Hockenson this season, essentially the most by any participant on the place. Hockenson ranks third in receiving yards by a good finish (254). He has averaged eight targets per recreation, a determine that might go up Sunday with Jefferson out.
382
Days, as of Thursday, because the Bears final gained at Soldier Field. Yes, they ended their 14-game shedding streak with the 40-20 blowout of the Commanders. But they have to work to offer their residence crowd a victorious deal with. Their final win at Soldier Field was a 23-20 defeat of the Houston Texans in Week 3 final season. Since then, they’ve misplaced 9 consecutive residence video games.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com