Chicago Bears @ Minnesota Vikings: Week 17 keys to the game

There are no playoff hopes on the line in this matchup. The Chicago Bears will battle Minnesota with only pride on the line in the season finale. These three keys will give Chicago a victory and propel them in the right direction for next season.

The end is near for the Chicago Bears’ 2016 season. While the season is one to forget for many reasons, the Bears can go out on the right note against the Vikings. Here are three keys that will assure the Bears a victory to end the year. However, let’s take a look at last week’s keys before we look ahead to week 17.

1) Feed the ball to your best playmakers

I said that Barkley couldn’t be afraid of Josh Norman when targeting Jeffery. Looking back, maybe I should have used better choice in words. Josh Norman picked off Barkley twice last week on poor throws from Barkley. Jeffery received 10 targets and Howard got 18 totes, so by a numbers stand point, they earned this key.

2) A bounce back game for the secondary

No. Nope. Didn’t happen. The Chicago Bears did nothing to hinder Kirk Cousins from throwing the deep ball. Desean Jackson had over 100 yards before halftime with a long ball of 57 yards. Pierre Garcon even had a 46 yard catch and he’s mainly a possession receiver. The Bears not only failed to bounce back, they dug an even deeper hole. Chicago loses this key by a mile.

3) Sure Tackling

The secondary lost this key by themselves. A number of the Redskins’ big plays came on medium distance passing due to poor tackling. Unfortunately, Jerrell Freeman’s return wasn’t enough to spark the Bears defense. The secondary effort was particularly shoddy with Deon Bush being the most disappointing. Chicago losses this key as well.

Week 16 keys: 1/3