MINNEAPOLIS — For the fourth time in the past five years https://www.thebearsfanshop.com/Joel-Iyiegbuniwe-Jersey , the Chicago Bears will visit the Minnesota Vikings in the last game on the schedule.For once, this matchup has some meaning.The Vikings, having already ceded the NFC North title to the Bears, have yet to secure a spot in the playoffs. The Bears could still improve their seed and snag that coveted first-round bye, if they win and the Los Angeles Rams also lose at home to San Francisco.More Vikings coveragePhotos of the Week: 7/21/19 – 7/27/19Rookie Bradbury is central figure to Vikings’ overhauled offensive lineVikings depth at cornerback being tested, Hughes still not clearedPlayers to watch at Minnesota Vikings 2019 training campTop Tweets: Vikings WR Diggs makes push for All-NFL Style TeamIf not, the Vikings (8-6-1) would be the likeliest opponent for the Bears (11-4) in the wild-card round next week.“We understand what’s at stake. There’s no magic formula. There’s no button you can push or hours you can put in to suddenly snap your fingers and guarantee a win,” Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins said. “You do all you can, give everything you have.”Last season, though the Vikings needed the victory to secure the second seed in the NFC and the first-round bye , they had clinched the division two weeks earlier while the Bears were bound for last place in the division.The year before that, the biggest drama was the pair of repelling oil pipeline protesters who sneaked past security to climb up a truss connected to the roof and unfurl a large banner as they lowered themselves from the ceiling. Both the Bears and Vikings had already been eliminated from contention.In 2014 at TCF Bank Stadium, the Vikings wrapped up their first of two years outside during the construction of U.S. Bank Stadium with a win over the Bears that determined they’d finish third in the NFC North and not fourth.The two teams did this play-out-the-string thing twice in recent memory at the Metrodome, too. Both teams were eliminated before the 2011 finale, too, when the Bears stopped a five-game losing streak to finish at .500. In 2005, with the Bears resting most of their starters with the division already clinched, a victory by the Vikings wasn’t enough to keep coach Mike Tice from being fired after the game .Well, finally, these rivals have entered their 2018 season closer in the right positions for a tension-filled game on Sunday.“We’re going in there really focused,” Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky said. “We know we’re going against a really good team.”Here are some other key angles to follow:SCOREBOARD WATCHINGThe NFL arranged the schedule to minimize the anticlimactic outcomes, moving the Bears-Vikings game to the late-afternoon slot so it would be played simultaneously with Eagles-Redskins Nick Kwiatkoski Color Rush Jersey , Cardinals-Seahawks and 49ers-Rams.The Vikings are guaranteed the last wild-card spot if Philadelphia loses at Washington. They would get the No. 5 seed and a first-round game at Dallas with a win and a loss by Seattle at home to Arizona. Their long-shot scenario is starting the postseason in Los Angeles, if they lose to the Bears and the Rams and Eagles lose, too.“All the hypotheticals or where we would be at or what we are going to be based on the results of this weekend, I know that we’re playing this game to win,” Trubisky said.“We’re going out there with our starters, and we’re competing. For me, it’s an easy mindset. Coach says, ‘Go,’ and we’re going.”7<button class="view-gallery">View Gallery</button> Gallery:Upon Further Review: Vikings at LionsNO PAYBACKThe Bears said they’re not seeking payback for Vikings safety Harrison Smith, whose hit on a sliding Trubisky late in the game in Chicago on Nov. 18 drove the second-year quarterback’s throwing shoulder into the ground and wound up sidelining him for the following two games.“I really put it behind me,” Trubisky said. “I didn’t even consider it illegal or anything malicious of that nature.”Last week, 49ers safety Marcell Harris delivered a late hit on a sliding Trubisky, setting off a skirmish that resulted in the ejection of three players.“We’re not about being revengeful or getting back to anybody,” coach Matt Nagy said. “Nothing. None of that.”MACK ATTACKBears linebacker Khalil Mack, who was picked for his fourth Pro Bowl, reached double-digit sacks for the fourth straight year. He has 12½ sacks, with 4½ in the past four games. He’s tied for the NFL lead with six forced fumbles for the Bears, who have 36 takeaways for the most in the league.BETTER PROTECTIONMack and defensive tackle Akiem Hicks helped make the previous matchup, a 25-20 victory by the Bears, miserable for Minnesota’s offensive line. Cousins took only two sacks, but each of them lost 8 yards .Dalvin Cook and Latavius Murray combined for only 18 rushing yards on 13 attempts. The Vikings have blocked better in the past two games, and the improvement down the stretch by rookie right tackle Brian O’Neill has been particularly visible.“We knew at some point it was going to happen Prince Amukamara Jersey ,” coach Mike Zimmer said. “He’s just such a good athlete.”NO PLACE LIKE HOMEThe Vikings are 18-6 in the regular season and postseason at U.S. Bank Stadium, and the Bears haven’t won in Minnesota since that final game on the 2011 schedule.“Our team feeds off the crowd and what they bring,” Cousins said. “It’s just a great place to play an NFL football game, and I can’t say enough good things about the venue, the locker room, the facility and the way our fans spur us on.”9<button class="view-gallery">View Gallery</button> Gallery:PHOTOS: Vikings at LionsAP | Copyright The Associated Press. All rights reserved.—CHICAGO (11-4) at MINNESOTA (8-6-1)Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EST, FoxOPENING LINE — Vikings by 6½RECORD VS. SPREAD — Chicago 11-4, Minnesota 8-6-1SERIES RECORD — Vikings lead 60-53-2LAST MEETING — Bears beat Vikings 25-20, Nov. 18LAST WEEK — Bears beat 49ers 14-9; Vikings beat Lions 27-9AP PRO32 RANKING — Bears No. 3, Vikings No. 13BEARS OFFENSE — OVERALL (21), RUSH (14), PASS (20)BEARS DEFENSE — OVERALL (4), RUSH (2), PASS (8)VIKINGS OFFENSE — OVERALL (17), RUSH (30), PASS (10)VIKINGS DEFENSE — OVERALL (3), RUSH (11), PASS (3)STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES — This is third straight season and fifth time in eight years with Bears and Vikings matched up in Minnesota in Week 17. 116th all-time meeting between Bears and Vikings, including wild-card round playoff win by Bears in Minnesota in 1994-95 season. Strong possibility that Vikings and Bears face each other next week in wild-card round. … Bears have lost six straight games in Minnesota. … Bears are only team in NFC to hold second-half lead in every game this year. … Matt Nagy is first Bears coach with winning record in debut season since Paddy Driscoll went 9-2-1 in 1956, when George Halas took two-year hiatus. … QB Mitchell Trubisky is 63 for 89 (70.8 percent) for 755 yards (251.7 per game) with six passing TDs https://www.thebearsfanshop.com/Adam-Shaheen-Jersey , one rushing TD and two interceptions for 109.5 passer rating in last three games vs. NFC North foes, all wins. Trubisky and Texans QB Deshaun Watson are only players in league this season with 95-plus passer rating and 400-plus rushing yards. … Bears have had 16 players with at least one TD, tied with Saints for most in NFL. … Chicago has held opponents to six or fewer first-half points in eight games this year. … Bears OLB Khalil Mack has 4½ sacks and forced fumble in last four games. … Vikings are 18-6 at home in regular season and playoffs since U.S. Bank Stadium opened. … Vikings RB Dalvin Cook has topped 100 total yards in consecutive games for first time in career, with 209 rushing yards and 62 receiving yards combined over last two contests. … QB Kirk Cousins, who has matched career high with 29 TD passes, needs one more to join Warren Moon (1994), Daunte Culpepper (2004) and Brett Favre (2009) as only players in team history with 4,000-plus passing yards and 30-plus TD passes in single season. … With one TD by WR Adam Thielen and six catches and one TD by Stefon Diggs, Vikings would have second set of teammates in NFL history with 100-plus receptions and 10-plus TDs in same year, joining Colts WR Reggie Wayne and TE Dallas Clark (2009). … Vikings lead NFL with 50 sacks, third most in franchise history behind 1992 (51) and 1989 (71). … Vikings have allowed fewest TD drives (25) in league for second straight season after giving up 23 in 2017. … Fantasy tip: Trubisky, who has 25 career starts, has posted three of seven lowest career passer ratings vs. Vikings. Vikings’ defense has 43 points allowed and 23 sacks in last three home games. BEAR DOWN, CHICAGO BEARS, BEAR DOWN!!!!BEARRRSSSSBernstein: Bears Defense Roars Its Dominance - 670 The Score - A ferocious Bears defense is a special kind of fun.Behind Stout Defense, Bears Maul Rams In 15-6 Win - 670 The Score - The Bears intercepted Jared Goff four times and had three sacks.Bears vs. Rams Live Blog: Score, highlights, analysis from NFL Week 14 game - NBC Sports Chicago - Follow along as the Bears and Rams face off on the lakeside.Video Bradley Sowell scores Bears' 2nd Big Guy Touchdown in 2 Weeks - NBC Sports Chicago - The Bears continue to be ... inovative in the red zone.Neveau: Chicago Bears Could Clinch Playoff Berth Next Week - NBC Chicago - The Chicago Bears not only made a big statement with their win over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night, but they also took a massive step toward clinching their first playoff berth in eight years.Perez: Bears defense leads team to 1st winning season in 6 years - Bears Wire - The Chicago Bears defense led the way to securing the team's first winning season in six years.Rams vs. Bears Week 14 Highlights - NFL 2018 - YouTube - Click here to watch the Bears crush the Rams offense.Perez: 5 takeaways from the Chicago Bears’ 15-6 victory over the Rams - USA Today - A look at five key takeaways from the Bears' 15-6 victory over the Rams in Week 14's Sunday Night FootballGame recap: Bears stop Rams cold in 15-6 win - ChicagoBears.com - The Bears defense passed its stiffest test of the season Sunday night at Soldier Field, dominating an explosive Rams offense in an impressive 15-6 victory.Mayer: Pace talks Trubisky’s return, scouts Rams - ChicagoBears.com - Bears general manager Ryan Pace spoke to play-by-play announcer Jeff Joniak on WBBM Newsradio 780 AM and 105.9 FM prior to Sunday night’s game against the Rams. The following is a transcript of that interview.Stankevitz: Bears prove defense still matters with masterful shutdown of Rams - NBC Sports Chicago - The Bears’ defense suffocated Jared Goff, neutralized Todd Gurley Mitchell Trubisky Color Rush Jersey , owned the line of scrimmage and powered a 15-6 win over the 11-2 Rams at Soldier Field Sunday night.Rams vs. Bears: Sunday Night Football open thread - Canal Street Chronicles - It’s a huge showdown of two of the NFC’s best in Chicago tonight!Join us here to discuss the game! Ken's Note: Saints fans were rooting for Chicago, read this one :)Pick is in: Rams at Bears - ChicagoBears.com - Local and national NFL analysts make their pick for the Week 14 game between the Rams and Bears Sunday night at Soldier Field. Keep track of their weekly record here on Chicagobears.com. Ken’s Note: There’s a lot of egg on faces in this one!Bears’ D overwhelms Goff, Rams - ESPN Video - Chicago’s defense stymies Jared Goff and the Rams in primetime, coming up with 4 interceptions and a safety to fuel their upset win at Soldier Field.Eurich: Matt Nagy gave Bears fans game ball in Week 14 win - 247Sports - The Chicago Bears implored the fan base to come out in full throat on Sunday night against the Los Angeles Rams. Chicago’s fan base was loud and raucous throughout the night and that led to multiple penalties by the Rams in Chicago’s win. It has become a tradition for head coach Matt Nagy to hand out the game ball to someone after a victory in the locker room, and he revealed after the game that he gave the game ball to the city of Chicago and the fans.Eurich: Bears defense dominates Rams in big Sunday Night Football win - 247Sports - The Chicago Bears scuffled a week ago against the lowly New York Giants, but proved against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 14 they have the ability to hang with the best in the NFL. The offense scuffled at times against the Rams, but the defense was lights out against one of the best offenses in the entire NFL. It was not pretty and mostly ugly, but the Bears walked away with a 15-6 victory at Soldier Field.Jahns: Loud and proud - An ‘electrifying’ victory for Matt Nagy-led Bears vs. Rams - Sun Times - Thanks to an outstanding defensive effort, the Bears defeated the Rams 15-6 at Soldier Field on Sunday night.Biggs: Dominant defense gives Bears chance at a deep playoff run - Chicago Tribune - If defense wins championships, the Bears figure to have a chance to at least make a deep playoff run. The Rams, held to six points, had scored 29 points or more in every game but one this season, and that was in a 23-20 win in Denver on Oct. 14.Bears defense shines with 4 interceptions in 15-6 win over Rams - Chicago Tribune - The Rams entered Sunday’s game against the Bears with a gaudy 11-1 record and hadn’t scored fewer than 23 points in a single game this season. But the Bears (9-4) shut down the Rams in a 15-6 win, locking in a winning season.POLISH SAUSAGECan’t-Miss Play: The Miami Miracle! ‘Fins pull off hook-and-ladder walk-off TD - NFL Videos - Miami Dolphins running back Kenyan Drake takes in an epic touchdown on the game’s final play to beat the New England Patriots.Ezekiel Elliott becomes first offensive player penalized for helmet hit – ProFootballTalk - For the first time all season, an offensive player was penalized for the helmet rule. Officials threw a flag on Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott for lowering his head to initiate contact.KNOW THY ENEMYLA Rams at Chicago Bears: Report card registers low in loss - Turf Show Times - The Rams laid a frozen egg in Chicago giving rise to doubts heading down the stretch.LA Rams 6, Chicago Bears 15 game recap: Defensed - Turf Show Times - In a defensive battle that featured two faltering, confused offenses, the Rams’ offense looked out of sorts all game. And it cost them.Detroit Lions playoff chances: Week 14’s games all fell the Lions’ way - Pride Of Detroit - For the Lions, it was a good day.3 things we learned in the Detroit Lions’ victory over the Arizona Cardinals - Pride Of Detroit - It was a boring day in the desert.Daily Norseman FanPulse: A brand new low - Daily Norseman - Another loss gives us another huge dropPackers score 34 straight en route to 34-20 win over scuffling Falcons - Acme Packing Company - In their first game since firing Mike McCarthy, the Packers showed the kind of ability this team had all along.What we learned from Sunday's Week 14 games - NFL.com - The Dolphins pulled off a miracle in Miami and Patrick Mahomes was his usual magical self in the Chiefs' comeback win against the Ravens. Here's what else we learned from Sunday's Week 14 games.Finley: Statement game - Bears bully one-loss Rams in 15-6 win - Sun Times - That’s what made their showing against the NFL’s best team so relevant. Inside an electric Soldier Field, coach Matt Nagy’s Bears proved they belongedBears vs. Rams 2018: Final score and game highlights - Sun Times - The Bears' defense delivered to hand the Rams their second loss of the season. Relive the Week 14 victory here.Bears inactives: QB Mitch Trubisky to play, WR Kevin White a healthy scratch | Chicago Sun-Times - Mitch Trubisky is back. The Bears quarterback Pat O'Donnell Jersey , as expected, is active for Sunday night's game against the Rams.IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRONCurl's 2018 NFL Week 14 Chicago Bears LA Rams Postgame: Chicago Defense shows Jared Goff where the sun sets in 15 6 stomp-down - Windy City Gridiron - The Bears defend Soldier Field and prove they’re a true NFC threatInfante: Bears linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski gives back to the community this holiday season - Windy City Gridiron - In an exclusive interview, Kwiatkoski talks to Windy City Gridiron about helping those less fortunate, the Bears’ mindset in the closing stretch of the season, and more.WCG CONTRIBUTORS BEARS PODCASTS & STREAMS2 Minute Drill - Website - iTunes - Andrew Link; Steven’s Streaming – Twitch – Steven Schweickert; T-Formation Conversation - Website - iTunes - Lester Wiltfong, Jr.; WCG Radio - Website - iTunes - Robert ZeglinskiTHE RULESWindy City Gridiron Community Guidelines - SBNation.com - We strive to make our communities open and inclusive to sports fans of all backgrounds. 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