Week 12 for the Chicago Bears presents another opportunity for the Chicago Bears to notch their first divisional win under head coach Matt Eberflus.
Their opponent ? the Minnesota Vikings ? enters the game at less than full strength. But, the last time these two teams met, the Vikings came away with a 19-13 victory, knocking quarterback Justin Fields out of commission for several weeks in the process.
Fields is back, still managing the effects of that dislocated thumb injury.
As if that were enough, however, the Vikings have staved off a potential collapse after losing starting quarterback Kirk Cousins to a torn Achilles in Week 8, two weeks after beating the Bears. They have done it with the aid of one of the NFL?s more unique figures: quarterback Joshua Dobbs.
Joshua Dobbs’ IQ Leads Things to Watch When Bears Face Vikings
1) Bears Facing the NFL?s Smartest Quarterback in Vikings’ Joshua Dobbs
This is no knock to any of the many academically accomplished players in the NFL. But none of them are literal rocket scientists like Dobbs. Dobbs interned at the Kennedy Space Center in 2020 and 2021.
“Josh was immersed in the instrumentation group to measure critical data regarding that mobile launcher and the rocket itself,” said Scott Colloredo, Director of Engineering at Kennedy Space Center, per Ren Clayton of CBS News on November 16. “He definitely pulled his weight as an engineer. He showed us some promise.?
Dobbs had to flex his mental acuity this season, going from the Arizona Cardinals to starting for the Vikings five days after they acquired him via trade. The quarterback led them to a 31-28 win. Head coach Matt Eberflus and multiple players noted Dobbs? strength as well, including safety Jaquan Brisker. But it’s his IQ that remains most impressive.
?It’s hard,? said Bears quarterback Nathan Peterman, himself a veteran of multiple offensive playbooks in his career. ?What he did ? was that the Atlanta game? ? was incredible. To come in like that? There’s usually a little bit of carryover, I think, with a lot of offensive systems. But all the verbiage and all that, very impressive what he did.?
Dobbs has completed 65.6% of his passes for 647 yards, four touchdowns, and just one interception in three starts for Minnesota, adding another 131 yards and three scores on 23 carries.
He has taken six sacks, though, and lost three of his six fumbles in that span.
2) The ‘Sweat Factor’
Eberflus noted trade deadline acquisition Montez Sweat?s impact on the rest of the defensive line even as the player had yet to record a sack himself. After all, the Bears had 10 sacks as a team through the first seven weeks of the season. They have recorded five over the last two weeks with Sweat notching his first in Week 11 versus the Detroit Lions.
Sweat also reflected on his first matchup with Dobbs this season, a 20-16 win with the Washington Commanders in Week 1.
With Dobbs? dual-threat ability, the front seven has to play just as smart as the secondary.
3) Rookie Watch
Starting cornerback and rookie second-round pick Tyrique Stevenson picked up an ankle injury during practice late in the week, leaving him questionable for Monday night. Stevenson is the second-most targeted defender in the NFL this season, per Pro Football Reference.
If Stevenson cannot suit up or is limited, the Bears will roll with his fellow rookie, Terell Smith.
The Bears selected Smith in the fifth round of the draft. He started two games earlier this season and has appeared in six games total, earning coaches? trust.
Smith has two deflections, one forced fumble, and one recovery, allowing 52.6% of the passes thrown his way to be completed this season. That is better than Stevenson?s 66.7% allowed, albeit with Smith facing far fewer targets.
He figures to be tested early and often even if the Vikings don?t get Justin Jefferson back.
4) Justin Fields vs. the Vikings? Secondary
While plenty has been and will be made of Fields? injury in the last meeting, the quarterback stressed that he didn?t feel as though he and the offense put their best on film before that in that game. Fields was 6-for-10 for 58 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception. But there are opportunities in Minnesota?s backend if he can avoid their relentless pass rush.
Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy is the most-targeted defender in the league. He is also allowing 64.5% of the passes thrown in his direction to be completed. That is higher than all but Stevenson among the top-eight most targeted defenders.
If the Bears ? complete with a fully healthy offensive line ? can give Fields more time, the quarterback can continue to build on the positive things he showed in his Week 11 return.
