Key matchup
Bears quarterback Justin Fields didn’t manage the Vikings’ pass rush well in a 19-13 loss Oct. 15 at Soldier Field. He was sacked four times in 17 dropbacks before leaving in the third quarter with a dislocated right thumb.
Fields, in fact, reacted poorly to free blitzer D.J. Wonnum on the first play from scrimmage and was sacked before he could throw to the ‘‘hot’’ receiver, fullback Khari Blasingame. And he held on to the ball for too long on a sack by Danielle Hunter and suffered the injury on that play.
The solution this time?
‘‘Just being on the same page,’’ Fields said. ‘‘I felt like we made too many mental mistakes last time we played them. We’re better than that. [Being] locked in and getting the ball out fast when we need to when they bring that pressure. It’s gonna be key.’’
Hunter, a three-time Pro Bowl defensive end, is second in the NFL with 12 sacks and has at least one in nine of 11 games. He had two at Soldier Field. The second matchup against Bears standout rookie right tackle Darnell Wright will be one to watch.
Trending
The Bears are still last in the NFL in third-down defense (47.6% — 68-for-143) after allowing the Lions to go 8-for-11 on third-down conversions last week.
The Bears have allowed 50% or more third-down conversions in eight of their 11 games. Most of their rare success on third down has come against losing teams, such as the Panthers (3-for-15) and the Raiders (2-for-9). The exception was against the 6-5 Vikings, who were 2-for-13 on third-down conversions at Soldier Field but still won.
With Joshua Dobbs at quarterback, the Vikings are converting 43.2% of their third downs (19-for-44).
Player to watch
Bears coach Matt Eberflus took some heat when defensive end Montez Sweat played only 39 of 62 snaps (62.9%) last week against the Lions. After initially saying, ‘‘That’s how we do it,’’ Eberflus later acknowledged, ‘‘It’s a good question,’’ and said Sweat’s snap percentage will increase in upcoming games, presumably starting with this one.
‘‘The way we practice and the way we do things, I think he will be in there more as we get going,’’ Eberflus said.
Sweat still is getting acclimated to the Bears’ defense and said he expects to have a bigger impact the more he plays.
‘‘Everything is still moving fast, but I’m light-years ahead of where I was two weeks ago,’’ Sweat said.
X-factors
The Bears not only are pretty close to full strength, but they will have several key players in their second game back from injury: Fields, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, right guard Nate Davis and running back Khalil Herbert.
For the Vikings, receiver Justin Jefferson, who has missed the last six games with a hamstring injury, is questionable and might play.
