The NFL season is an evolving state of affairs, and week 11 finds your 6-3 Chicago Bears squarely in the playoff picture and ready to begin their toughest stretch of schedule they’ll face all season. This
week a rematch against the rival Vikings who won their first battle in week 1.
In this weekly series, I’ll be featuring one player from each team on each side of the ball who I believe to be integral to their respective team’s success. It’s not always about the quarterback or superstar defensive players like Myles Garrett and Trey Hendrickson. Importance is all relative, and while the “star” players are obviously important each week, this series will also highlight some of the other guys.
Because let’s face it, often, the unsung players are just as critical to the team’s success.
Here are the players that I will be keyed in on in this one.
Let’s get started with the Chicago Bears!
Offense: Colston Loveland, TE
It was not long ago, maybe 2 weeks, when it seemed the entire world was criticizing the Bears for selecting Colston Loveland over fellow first-round TE Tyler Warren. Well, those complaints have turned into cheers as Loveland has proven to be an upper-echelon talent both as a pass catcher and blocker from the TE spot and has strung together a couple of clutch performances with his vice-grip hands and clinician-level route-running skills. Has it taken some time for him to hit his groove in this offense? Sure. But that was to be expected as a rookie backup TE in a brand new offense with so many weapons. This week, I expect Loveland (and fellow rook Luther Burden III, for that matter) to be an X factor. Rookies Loveland, Burden III and Monangai barely saw the field in week 1, but I expect all three to be integral this week. Loveland, especially.
Defense: Montez Sweat, DE
In the last 4 games, Montez Sweat has 4.5 of his 5.5 sacks on the season. He also has a forced fumble and 5 TFL during that timespan. Suffice it to say, Sweat is finding his footing in this new Dennis Allen defensive scheme and it couldn’t come at a better time. Against the Vikings this week, Sweat will see most of his work across from RT Brian O’Neill, who has proven to be one of the better RTs in the game and is someone we have highlighted in years past in this column. Though he had 2 TFL in their first meeting of 2025, Sweat was shut out from any impactful plays in the passing game. If he can continue making an impact like he has in recent weeks, it should be a long day for young QB J.J. McCarthy and the Vikes offense. If O’Neill and LT Christian Darrisaw can keep Sweat off their QB, it will give their offense time to find Justin Jefferson, which no defense wants to see.
Minnesota Vikings
Offense: Aaron Jones Sr., RB
In 2025, when Aaron Jones Sr. receives at least 10 touches/targets, his team is 2 and 1, with one of the wins coming week 1 against the Bears. When he does not, the Vikings are 0 and 2. Jones has proven to be a thorn in Chicago’s side for years, and if he’s active again this Sunday, expect him to be a problem for Dennis Allen’s crew. Combine that with the likelihood that TJ Edwards is inactive once again, meaning either Noah Sewell or Ruben Hyppolite II will be tasked with covering Jones out of the backfield and making the proper run reads when Jones gets his carries, and it could be another long day for the Bears’ D in Minnesota. Since the Bye week, Chicago has played better against the run. If that continues, they win. If Aaron Jones Sr. has at least 10 touches/targets, it may be another nail-biter.
Defense: Dallas Turner, DE
In 25 career games, the 17th overall pick from the 2024 NFL Draft has only accounted for 4.5 sacks. To say he has been a disappointment would be an understatement. Especially when considering the 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year, Jared Verse, was drafted 19th overall, and another Edge prospect, Chop Robinson, who was drafted 21st overall, has nearly double the career sacks that Turner has. To make matters worse, leading pass rusher Jonathan Greenard is out this week with a shoulder injury. Good news for Vikings fans? One of Turner’s 4.5 career sacks came against the Bears last season. Lined up against Darnell Wright, no less. Turner has the talent. Whether or not he turns that talent into production is another story, but Vikings fans have reason to be optimistic with Jonathan Greenard out. If Chicago can eliminate the pass rush against Minny, they should be able to outscore the Vikings. If Flores can get Turner and Van Ginkel going, this will be a tough NFC North clash.
What about you? Which players on both sides will you be keying on against the Vikes? Let us know in the comments!
Recap from Week 10:
Bears O – Theo Benedet, LT: 0 sacks allowed but multiple pressures given up.
Bears D – Tremaine Edmunds, LB: 7 total tackles, 4 solo, with 1 TFL 2 PD and 1 QBH. Active.
Giants O – Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB: 14 carries for 71 yards and no scores.
Giants D – Demarcus Lawrence, DT: 1 tackle, 0 solo.
Remember, there’s a near-zero chance of a Bears win when all four players perform in a way that favors the opponent. Here, we keep track of weeks past to see how things unfolded:
Week 1: Loveland, Jarrett, Mason, Metellus – Vikes owned 75% this week. Perhaps 100%. L
Week 2: Jackson, Edmunds, Gibbs, Branch – Again, we were owned in 75% this week, maybe 100%. L
Week 3: Moore, Dexter Sr., Pickens, Sanborn – Finally, we dominated in all phases. At least 75% in our favor. W
Week 4: Swift, Brisker, Jeanty, Chinn – I’d say we went 2-2 here and barely squeaked away with the win. W
Week 6: Benedet, Spidey, Deebo, Payne – Split at a minimum but I say 75% in our favor. W
Week 7: Burden, Byard, Shaheed, Werner – Easily secured 3/4 of these for the win that was not as close as score would indicate. W
Week 8: Loveland, Billings, Henry, Roquan – 0/4 – L
Week 9: Monangai, Booker, Chase, Knight – 3/4 , arguably all 4 if you consider Chase’s numbers. – W
Week 10: Benedet, Edmunds, Tracy Jr., Lawrence – 3/4 , arguably all 4 if you consider o sacks allowed. – W
For the second consecutive week, Montez Sweat was your vote for the most important player for The Beloved. He most certainly stepped up to the call with 1.5 sacks 2 QBH and 1 TFL and I agree that he must once again make his presence felt in order for Chicago to come out on top this week.
Colston Loveland was targeted only twice in the first meeting against the Vikings, catching both passes for 12 yards. Looks like we will all be watching to see if he can make more of an impact this time against the divisional rival.
