The hype around Halas Hall this week is obviously all about rookie quarterback Mitch Trubisky, but the Bears have two other quarterbacks — and a stellar receiving tandem — to worry about as they prepare for "Monday Night Football" against the Vikings at Soldier Field.
The Bears don't know whether they will face starting quarterback Sam Bradford or backup Case Keenum. Bradford has missed the last three games with a sore left knee after throwing for 346 yards and three touchdowns in a Week 1 victory over the Saints.
Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said he thinks Bradford will play, but he said preparing for both isn't necessarily more difficult because "their offense hasn't changed at all" since Bradford went down.
"They really have had a good year offensively, meaning throughout the season, and I think it will continue for them,
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The Vikings suffered a tough loss when rookie running back Dalvin Cook tore the ACL in his left knee last week,
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Bradford practiced Thursday and Friday for the first time since Sept. 21,
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I'm hoping that by (Saturday) I'll have a good idea of where I'm at,"In my mind," Bradford told the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Regardless of the quarterback, the Vikings have had one of the most productive wide receiver tandems in the NFL this season, a stark contrast to the Bears group of receivers.
" Bears coach John Fox said.,"They have been explosive in all instances
Stefon Diggs leads the NFL with 391 yards and eight receptions of 20 or more yards. He's averaging 17.8 yards per catch and has caught four touchdown passes.
Adam Thielen is fourth in the league with 358 yards and he has seven catches of 20 or more yards and two of 40 or more.
they have played with two quarterbacks and they're making plays,"They're catching a lot of their balls," Bears cornerback Prince Amukamara said. "Usually when you see how good a receiver is, you ask yourself is this receiver good because he's a good receiver or is it their quarterback or is it a combination of both? Those guys,
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I've known since I came into the league and I always have thought he was special. He kind of reminds me of Odell (Beckham Jr.) from New York. You can't sleep on a guy like Thielen. It's on film he's a playmaker. … We have to be aware of where they're at on the field and make plays when we can.",
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The Vikings also could mix in another weapon in Michael Floyd,
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"We don't know what their plan is for (Floyd), but he's going to be a tough guy to cover because of how physical he plays and his stature," Amukamara said.
Floyd had 37 catches for 488 yards last season with the Cardinals and Patriots.
The whole group is sure to test a Bears defense that hasn't recorded an interception this season.
who had rushed for 354 yards.,The Bears also are dealing with the absences of inside linebackers Nick Kwiatkoski (pectoral injury) and Danny Trevathan (suspension) and a triceps injury to outside linebacker Willie Young. But they at least have in their favor the absence of Cook
His replacement, Latavius Murray, rushed for 788 yards on 195 carries last season with the Raiders.
"Dalvin was an exceptional, exceptional back with great big-play ability," Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said. "I don't know whether we'll get the big-play ability out of Latavius. But we expect him to continue to help the running game as best (he) can."
