Kevin O’Connell’s Vikings are staring down a critical NFC North showdown with the Chicago Bears, and if they lose the turnover battle on Sunday, they’ve got absolutely no chance. That’s the cold, hard truth from Drew Bunting, who picked the Bears despite rooting for a Vikings win. This isn’t just another game, folks, it’s a “wrinkle game” where O’Connell needs to dig deep and get creative.
Flores’ Rookies Are Stepping Up, Turner Is a Monster
Let’s talk defense first, because something’s shifting big time. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who’s been slammed for favoring veterans, is finally trusting his rookies. We saw it against Green Bay: Domonique “Big Citrus” Orange got 22 snaps, Caleb Banks had 16, and Jacob Thomas logged 10. That’s the most rookie snaps Flores has handed out in a meaningful game, ever! Darren Campbell noted Flores won’t just give out playing time, so these guys are earning it. And speaking of earning it, Dallas Turner just exploded onto the scene. He put up nine pressures with an 89.5 PFF grade against the Packers. Campbell put it best: sometimes you just need one guy to beat his blocker, and Turner did that a lot. This kid is looking like an elite edge rusher, and the Bears need to watch out. Not everything is sunshine, though. Josh Metellus’ PFF grades are slipping, hitting 29.6 in Week 1 after a 55.4 in 2024. Is his usage changing things?
Offense Faces Major Hurdles, Needs a Spark
On offense, it’s a completely different story. The running back depth chart is fractured, and that’s not an exaggeration. Jordan Mason’s fractured thumb sent him to injured reserve, sidelining him for four games. That’s a huge loss for the Vikings, leaving Aaron Jones Sr. and journeyman DeeJay Dallas to carry the load. With Carson Wentz starting at Soldier Field, the pressure is on O’Connell to make some moves. Bunting laid it out: O’Connell has to grow a pair and move the ball against Dennis Allen’s defense. He can’t just run the usual playbook. Turnovers are the ultimate stat in this game; O’Connell is an insane 36-4 when his team wins the turnover margin. You hear that? If they lose the turnover battle on Sunday, it’s over. That’s how high the stakes are.
This week’s matchup against the Bears is more than just a division game; it’s a test for O’Connell’s offensive creativity and Flores’ burgeoning defense. With Caleb Williams leading the Bears, Bunting believes their advantage over Carson Wentz is too big to ignore. It’s going to take every single wrinkle O’Connell can conjure to get this W. Let’s hope the team is ready to deliver.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Daily Norseman.
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