Keys To Victory: Chicago Bears Face Their Toughest Test Yet

CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 11: Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky #10 of the Chicago Bears looks to throw in the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field on November 11, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 11: Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky #10 of the Chicago Bears looks to throw in the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field on November 11, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 4: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings drops back to hand the ball off in the third quarter of the game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 4: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings drops back to hand the ball off in the third quarter of the game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

2. Get After Kirk Cousins

In the Vikings three losses this season, Kirk Cousins has been sacked four times each game. In other words, the Bears need to absolutely get after Cousins. How much the Bears pressure Cousins is what could be a key factor in deciding how this game plays out.

When the Chicago Bears consistently pressure the quarterback, then good things happen. The defense forces more turnovers, while the offense benefits from good field position. What the Bears will need to do is bring pressure off the edge with Leonard Floyd more instead of Khalil Mack.

The Vikings will be more focused on stopping Khalil Mack, so it’s important that Leonard Floyd, Akiem Hicks, and Eddie Goldman get after Kirk Cousins.

There are also times where the Bears use cornerback Bryce Callahan to blitz off the edge and Callahan goes unblocked and directly brings the quarterback to the ground.

The Bears will need to use many different packages to try and get after Kirk Cousins. However, they’ll likely need to do it with just Leonard Floyd, Akiem Hicks, Eddie Goldman, and Khalil Mack as Danny Trevathan, Roquan Smith and others will need to stop the Vikings passing attack which has established itself as one of the best in the NFL.