EAGAN, Minn. — Can the Vikings bounce back after a tough division loss on Monday Night Football and finish the regular season on a high note against another NFC North foe?
Minnesota is prepping to face Chicago for the 118th time (including one postseason meeting) in franchise history.
The two teams last played each other in Week 4, and the Vikings fell 16-6 after allowing 6.0 sacks of Kirk Cousins and accruing just 40 rushing yards.
Sunday's game holds no real bearing on the postseason, as Minnesota already is locked into the No. 6 seed; a win, however, would provide a morale boost – likely for the team and fans alike – heading into the playoffs.
Here's a look at 10 numbers of note in advance of Sunday's matchup:
13 – The Vikings rank 13th in total offense (357.1 yards per game) after an abysmal showing against the Packers. Entering Week 16, they had been 10th in the league, but 139 net yards of offense had a negative effect.
29 – The Bears, meanwhile, rank 29th in the NFL with 294.1 yards per game, having out-gained only Pittsburgh (284.0), Washington (274.9) and the New York Jets (273.1).
6 – Anthony Harris snagged yet another pick on Monday night, bringing his season total to a team-leading six interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown at Seattle in Week 13. The safety also has 11 passes defensed and a fumble recovery.
7 – Chicago has just seven rushing touchdowns on the season. The team is led by running back David Montgomery, who has 776 yards and five scores on the ground. Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky has accounted for the other two rushing touchdowns.
2.21 – Trubisky has an interception rate of 2.21 percent (17th in the NFL), having thrown 10 picks in 14 games started. In contrast, Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins' 1.35 percent interception rate is sixth-best in the league.
1,130 – Vikings receiver Stefon Diggs has racked up 1,130 yards through the air, which is eighth-most among the league's receivers. And he has accomplished that number on just 63 catches (tied for 37th), averaging 17.9 yards per grab.
18.6 – The Bears defense has limited teams to an average of just 18.6 points per game this season, which is fifth-best in the league. Worth noting, however, is that the unit is less successful when teams get inside the 20. Chicago's red zone defense is tied for 17th with a success rate by opponents of 58.3 percent.
8.5 – Bears outside linebacker Khalil Mack has 8.5 sacks on the season. He needs 1.5 to record his fifth consecutive season with double-digit sacks. Mack has forced 11 fumbles since 2018.
3 – The Vikings defense has recorded at least one takeaway in all but three games this season: at Green Bay in Week 2, at Chicago in Week 4 and at Kansas City in Week 9.
4 – This Sunday will mark the fourth consecutive year that Minnesota has hosted Chicago to close out the regular season. The Vikings are 2-1 in the Week 17 matchups since 2016, having lost 24-10 last December.
