5 matchups Chicago Bears must-win Week 4
3. Bears interior DL vs Vikings interior
This is an extension of Cook, who is clearly the heart and soul of the Vikings offense. While Cook has been elite, his best performances come when he can utilize his speed at the edges. This is important for Roquan Smith, as he has to beat the speedster to that edge.
However, when looking into Cooks running success rates, there is a chance to slow him down by attacking the backfield. Cook has a 56% success rate outside the left tackle and it goes to 60% when he gets outside the edge.
On the other side, he has a 50% success rate off of the left tackle and a 50% success rate off of the left edge. However, while he does have great success right behind the center, he has a 40% success rate off of the left guard, and a 20% success rate off of the right guard. The Vikings have been shuffling their guard play to date, and it appears Josh Kline, their starter at right guard will be a game-time decision.
Unfortunately for the Bears, they will also be missing Bilal Nichols for this game, and Akiem Hicks is a true game-time decision. Eddie Goldman is underrated, but this game is screaming for him to step up. Roy Robertson-Harris is all of the sudden in for a huge game. The Bears need to do whatever they can to attack the Vikings straight up the gut and attack them between the guards.