Sun times agreeing with Tempo!
https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2023/10/13/23914933/chicago-bears-justin-fields-stats-draft-trade-luke-getsy-dj-moore-darnell-mooney-minnesota-vikingsShould their defense, with a fully healthy secondary, handle the Vikings when they’re missing All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson?
Should Fields continue his run by lighting up one of the NFL’s worst pass defenses?
Yes. But with the Bears, what should happen often doesn’t.
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Not only have the Vikings given up the 10th-most points at 24.4 per game, they’re especially bad in pass defense.
The Vikings have allowed completions on 76.4% of the passes thrown against them, second-worst only to the Broncos at 77.3%. Either of those would be the highest ever allowed for a season, according to Pro Football Reference. They also have allowed the third-highest opponent passer rating at 110.8.
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Fields’ next three opponents are in the bottom 12 in opponent passer rating — the Bears host the Raiders after this, then visit the Chargers — before facing the Saints, who rank first.
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The early returns on that shift have been more targets for Moore (19 in the last two games versus 15 over the first three), more downfield throws (10.6 yards of average air distance last week, up from 3.3 in the opener) and more willingness to throw to covered receivers (17.2% of his passes were against tight coverage last week, compared to 2.7% in the opener).