Chicago Bears vs Vikings: Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace’s jobs on the line
The Chicago Bears should focus on finding Cole Kmet versus the Vikings
To make the running game work, the Chicago Bears will need Darnell Mooney on the field a lot so when needed he can use his 4.38 speed to get at least one defender out of the 10-15 yard passing range. Of course, it is also not too much to expect for Trubisky to both attempt and complete some 20-plus yard passes.
All in all, the Bears rejuvenated offensive line should be ready to rock and roll with the Vikings depleted front seven to the point the Bears should win the overall battle of the trenches. This will make David Montgomery one happy running back. The Bears run game will also be helped by one of the Vikings’ best players, Eric Kendricks, being out for this game.
To call this game important is really an understatement. This pivotal game against a division foe is as important a regular-season game as any in the Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy era. The importance of this game to the careers and jobs of players, coaches, front office personnel as well as the general state of the Bears organization cannot be overstated.
Getting back to the Bears offense versus the Vikings defense, it would be very helpful if the Bears could use a lot of 12 and/or 22 personnel (double tight end sets). However, Jimmy Graham is listed as questionable. If Demetrius Harris has to take Graham’s place in 12 personnel sets, then Cole Kmet should by far be the main tight end targeted for passes.
Kmet could have a big day if he is often used to fake or bounce off a block and run to an open spot in the defense. It would be most entertaining to see more angry runs by Cole Kmet. In the Texans game, he literally, carried five guys who could not bring him down. It took the refs blowing the whistle to stop the play.
Throwing to Cole Kmet should work well against the Vikings because he is four to six inches taller than any Vikings linebacker or secondary player. Harrison Smith is the tallest of them at 6’2″. It would be really smart of Bill Lazor and Matt Nagy to scheme up Kmet away from Harrison Smith. The Bears rookie tight end could, easily, play an integral part in a Bears victory.