The Vikings on Sunday will be looking for a division win to finish the season 8-8. The Bears, entering enemy territory, are hunting for their fourth win of the year and second against Minnesota.
The Bears defeated the Vikings on *Monday Night Football *in Chicago on Oct. 31, and Bears Head Coach John Fox credited a number of things for the victory, including ball security.
"We didn't turn the ball over," Fox told Twin Cities media via conference call Wednesday. "We've had our share of injuries much like the Vikings; we're on our fourth quarterback. We did get Jay [Cutler] back for that night, and I thought he had a good outing even though he'd been off for five weeks and Brian Hoyer was our starter.
"I thought our defense was pretty crispy that night," Fox said. "The kicking game was critical … we made all our kicks, and containing both of those returners [Marcus Sherels and Cordarrelle Patterson] is always a key thing. All in all, in was one of our more complete games."
The Vikings will not be facing Cutler or Hoyer on Sunday. Rather, they will host quarterback Matt Barkley, whose strong suit has not been ball security.
Against the Redskins last week, Barkley threw five interceptions.
"Hopefully we can get that fixed quickly, but it won't be an easy task with crowd noise, a fast track and a very good defense," Fox said of Barkley playing at U.S. Bank Stadium. "Those are big obstacles, but this isn't too big for him. He's been in big spots before, so I'm sure he'll bounce back just fine."
Here are some additional highlights of what the Bears said about the Vikings this week:
View images of the key contributors for Chicago Bears on offense, defense and special teams this season.
Barkley was teammates at Southern California with Vikings DE Everson Griffen in 2009.
2016 is Fox's 15th consecutive season as a head coach in the NFL. Fox is 128-111 overall and 9-22 in his two seasons with the Bears.
Jeffery is one of the Bears leading targets this season with 811 receiving yards.
The Bears drafted Whitehair out of Kansas State as a guard in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Whitehair has been filling in at center since the Bears offensive line lost Hroniss Grasu.
McPhee underwent left knee surgery in the offseason and returned for his first game of the season against the Packers Week 7. He has 4.0 sacks in nine games this season.
The former Detroit Lions defensive end leads the Bears in sacks this season (7.5) as an outside linebacker.
The Bears 2016 first-round draft pick has 7.0 sacks and 33 cobined tackles this season.
In his first season with the Bears, Barth is 17-of-22 in field goal attempts so far and 30-of-31 on extra point attempts.
Langford played at Michigan State with Vikings CB Trae Waynes from 2012-14. Langford is another option for the Bears out of the backfield behind Jordan Howard.
Meredith leads the Bears in receptions (62), and receiving yards (827).
Royal is tied with Meredith for the team lead in receiving touchdowns (4) and is 10 in the NFL in punt return average this season (8.7).
Barkley on the Vikings defense
"They're still playing at a very high level, and I just think their front seven, how physical they are – the pass rush and how they set the edge, it's really impressive. They just have a lot of physical guys who make plays. And I think on the back end, it's just a sound secondary. They'll give some funky looks to try to try to mess with you, but overall just a sound group of players that has been playing in the defense for a while. They know what they're doing, they know their weaknesses, they know their strengths, so they play it well. It will be up to us just to win our matchups."
Fox on Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter:
"He's a guy I know I liked coming out of college. I think what happens with players, especially on defense and up front, you're fighting so close (to the line of scrimmage) that you have to be fast. Recognizing the difference between run and pass, although it sounds very simple, is not easy. The more experience you get in that area, and I'm sure he can explain it better than I can, it's been my experience that when guys understand situational football and understand tips that tell you they're passing, that definitely will help that sack total."
Bears wide receiver Cameron Meredith on facing Minnesota's defense
"I'm excited to go against them, a division opponent on the road. They have Xavier Rhodes, a Pro Bowler; Trae Waynes, a really experienced veteran, so we have our hands full. We'll look at the film to see what we can do to attack them, but I'm looking forward to it."
