Vikings: 3 keys to a win at Chicago

The Minnesota Vikings travel to Chicago for a match-up with the Bears for Monday Night Football. Here’s a look at three keys to a Vikings win at Soldier Field:

1. Win the turnover game

Turnovers have been a problem the last couple seasons for the Vikings when they’ve traveled to Soldier Field and keeping care of the football will once again be a priority on Monday night.

Last season the Vikings lost two fumbles (Cousins, Diggs) in a 16-6 loss in Chicago. Two seasons ago, Kirk Cousins threw two interceptions and Dalvin Cook lost a fumble in a 25-20 loss at Soldier Field. The Vikings will need to do better than that if they want to win their third straight game.

2. Run, Dalvin, run

Easy enough strategy. Let Dalvin Cook run wild for the third straight week.

Cook has gained 478 yards from scrimmage and scored six touchdowns over the past two weeks – both Vikings wins. They’ll once again try to get Cook 25 touches, but he hasn’t enjoyed much success in Chicago.

In 2018, Cook gained only 12 yards on 9 carries. In 2019, Cook ran for 35 yards on 14 carries at Soldier Field.

The Bears defense has been as little shaky against the run this season giving up 116 yards per game.

3. Pressure Foles

The Vikings defense has shown some signs of improvement the last couple weeks and they have a chance to feast on a Chicago offense that has been a mess all season.

The Bears will be without their top two running backs on Monday night, so their running game shouldn’t be much of a threat.

The Vikings should be able to put pressure on Bears quarterback Nick Foles who was sacked three times in Chicago’s 24-17 loss to Tennessee last week.