10 Vikings-Bears Numbers of Note: Matchup Features 2 of Top 3 Rushing Defenses

EAGAN, Minn. — An old division rivalry will be renewed Sunday night with first place on the line. The Vikings and Bears will meet for the first time in the 2018 season, with the NFC North clash taking place in Chicago on Sunday Night Football. Kickoff is set for 7:20 p.m. from Soldier Field. Minnesota is 5-3-1 (1-0-1 in division play) and resides in second place in the NFC North after having a bye in Week 10. The Bears topped the Lions in Week 10 for Chicago’s third straight win. The Bears are alone in first place in the NFC North at 6-3 (1-1 in division play). Here’s a look at 10 numbers of note heading into Sunday’s matchup: 2 — A Vikings win Sunday night would give Minnesota back-to-back victories at Soldier Field, something that last happened during the 1999 and 2000 seasons. The Vikings have won two of their past three games in Chicago. 8 — Adam Thielen already has eight 100-yard games in 2018, which matches Hall of Famer Randy Moss for the most such games by a Viking in a single season. Moss had eight 100-yard games in the 2000 and 2003 seasons. 4 — Four of Harrison Smith’s 20 career interceptions have come against Chicago, including one at Soldier Field in 2017. The All-Pro safety has returned one of his interceptions against the Bears for a touchdown. 18 — The Vikings are an even 18-18 in franchise history on Sunday Night Football. Minnesota had won three straight games in the prime-time slot before falling to New Orleans on SNF earlier this season.10 — The Vikings defense set a franchise record with 10 sacks in their previous game, a 24-9 win in Week 9 over the Lions. Minnesota is tied with three other teams for first in the NFL with 31 total sacks. The Bears are next with 30 sacks. 15 — Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky leads the league with 15 touchdown passes at home in 2018. Trubisky has 15 touchdowns in five home games and four touchdown passes in four road games. 5 —Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs has five touchdown receptions in five career games against the Bears. Diggs has 18 catches for 295 yards in his career against Chicago. 3 — The Vikings and Bears both rank in the top three in rushing defenses. Chicago is second at 84.0 rushing yards allowed per game, while Minnesota ranks third at 88.9 rushing yards given up per game. The Bears allow 3.60 yards per carry (tied for first in the NFL), while the Vikings are fourth at 3.62 yards allowed per attempt. 60 — Minnesota is 60-52-2 all-time against the Bears, which is the second-most wins by the Vikings against an opponent in franchise history. The Vikings have had the upper hand of late, winning six of the past seven total matchups. 13 — The Bears lead the league with a plus-13 turnover ratio (24 takeaways to 11 giveaways) and are tied for the league lead with four defensive touchdowns, a stat that includes three interception returns for scores. Minnesota has the second-most defensive scores with three (two fumble returns and a pick-six).

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10 Vikings-Bears Numbers of Note: Matchup Features 2 of Top 3 Rushing Defenses

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