5 Stats from Chicago Bears Historic Losing Streak that Minnesota Vikings Fans Should Know
The Minnesota Vikings (11-2) are hosting the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football this week. It will be the second meeting between these teams in just 22 days. Minnesota emerged victorious in a bizarre 30-27 overtime win on Nov. 24 in Chicago.
A Bears loss would mark their eighth in a row, the second-longest losing streak in franchise history. During this skid, they’ve dismissed offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and head coach Matt Eberflus. In short, our Windy City rival is in shambles.
But let’s be honest, that doesn’t guarantee a Minnesota Vikings victory, come Monday. So, let’s explore five key stats from the Chicago Bears’ seven-game losing streak that Vikings fans should know before this week 15 rivalry game kicks off.
Caleb Williams doesn’t just give the ball away — ZERO interceptions during 7-game losing streak
Somehow, the Chicago Bears have found a way to lose seven-straight games, even though their starting quarterback has gone that entire stretch without throwing an interception. According to NFL’s Next Gen Stats, this is the longest streak by any rookie starting quarterback since 1950.
How is that even possible? Well… it shouldn’t be. In a game where turnovers lead to losses more than any stat in the box score, the Bears can’t buy a win even though their QB refuses to turn the ball over. It’s possible Caleb Williams proves himself as a prospect so good that he couldn’t be screwed up. But man, the Bears sure are trying.
Unfortunately (from a Vikings' perspective) Caleb Williams had a really, really good day against Minnesota.
— Matt Fries (@FriesFootball) November 26, 2024
Tight window throws, impressive scrambles, and high level processing against the blitz. He understands the game. Did throw a few balls into harms way but wasn't punished. pic.twitter.com/GOojzVfyah
Of course, Williams is far from perfect. Per Pro Football Focus (PFF), the rookie has recorded six turnover-worthy plays, in the last three games alone. That includes three against the Vikings, in Week 12, a career high. The mission for Minnesota’s defense on Monday: Take advantage of the opportunities Caleb presents them.
Rookie QB is holding the ball too long again — 3.41 time to throw vs Lions
When Waldron was fired as OC and play-caller, after week 10, passing game coordinator Thomas Brown took over offensive play-calling duties. Initially, this seemed to help Williams. According to Next Gen Stats, Williams averaged 2.42 seconds to throw in both weeks 11 and 12, a season low.
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But the past two games, we’ve seen a definitive regression. Against the Lions in Week 13, Williams held the ball for 3.41 seconds—a season high. Last week against the 49ers, he brought it back down toward his season average, of 2.86 seconds.
More time holding onto the football usually means more sacks being taken. Caleb Williams’ 2024 game logs are a perfect example of that. He’s been sacked 12 times in the last two weeks, vs just 6 times in weeks 11 and 12, immediately following the play-caller change. On the season, the 2024 No. 1 overall pick has been sacked 56 times, the most of any other NFL QB.
Yetur Gross-Matos has sacked Caleb Williams three times today. #49ers pic.twitter.com/xj2TWvn0f5
— Chase Senior (@Chase_Senior) December 9, 2024
Caleb Williams is on pace to be sacked SEVENTY THREE times this year 😮 pic.twitter.com/YVPHB9k0iR
— Marquee Bears (@BearsMarquee) December 14, 2024
Chicago Bears making an effort to get the ball to D.J. Moore – 28 receptions in last four games
After a run of seven weeks (six games) earlier this season, in which DJ Moore failed to record more than five receptions, the 27-year-old former first round pick has caught six or more passes in each of the Bears’ last four contests, though his production has been sliding again, of late (just 49 yards on 6 receptions last week).
Quicker passes in the first Chicago Bears vs Minnesota Vikings matchup, back in Week 12, helped Moore post one of his best games of the season. He racked up a total of seven catches for a season-high 106 yards.
The Maryland alum also caught this game-saving rope from Caleb Williams, a gorgeous throw between two levels of Minnesota’s secondary. This was a key play to Chicago forcing overtime that afternoon.
Game on the line, Caleb Williams stepped up in the pocket and delivered a dime to DJ Moore between several Vikings defenders to set up the game-tying kick. What a throw in a clutch spot. pic.twitter.com/B2DWZw7r3u
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) November 25, 2024
A significant portion of this production came on quick plays. Four of his receptions were caught behind the line of scrimmage, accounting for 63 yards. Additionally, Moore attempted a backward pass that nearly resulted in a touchdown to fellow wideout Rome Odunze. The throw narrowly fell incomplete in the end zone.
Chicago defense struggling to stop the run — Minnesota Vikings gained 124 yards rushing in week 12
Chicago’s defense absolutely shares plenty of the blame for their seven-game losing skid, especially against the run. The Bears have allowed at least 100 yards on the ground vs each and every opponent during this historic losing streak.
Opposing running backs are averaging 154.3 rushing yards per game in that time, too, which may be an even uglier stat. This brutal stretch of rush defense has pushed their defensive ranking in rush yards allowed per game all the way down to 28th in the NFL. That includes vs the Minnesota Vikings a few weeks ago, who tallied 124 rushing yards on 27 carries (4.6 YPC).
Aaron Jones’ fumbling issues were felt in week 12, but he still managed 106 yards, on 22 carries, and scored two total touchdowns. Not only did Jones have one of his best games, as a Viking, but T.J. Hockenson (7 Rec, 114 Yds) and Jordan Addison (8 Rec, 162 Yds, 1 TD) feasted too.
Aaron Jones runs 40+ yards for the Vikes into the goal line. pic.twitter.com/JcOCz346Nj
— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) November 24, 2024
The Chicago Bears’ defense was on a mission to stop Justin Jefferson, in their first matchup. You could argue its effectiveness. Sure, they held Justin to just two receptions and 27 yards. But the Bears’ two-high bracket coverage opened up everything else within the Vikings’ offense especially in the run and play-action game.
Last week vs the Falcons, Minnesota unleashed a more refined version of that same balanced attack to dismantle the Falcons, and take some pressure off JJ. It worked and Sam Darnold had his best day, as a Viking. They’ll look to punish Chicago the same way, if they choose to focus on Jefferson again this time around.
Chicago Bears have been starting slow — 53 yards of offense in 1st half last week
The Bears’ offense has struggled to start games over the past two weeks. On Thanksgiving against the Lions, they managed only 53 yards of offense in the first half. Last week, they gained just four yards in the first half against the 49ers—the lowest total for any NFL offense in a first half since 2000.
While Chicago rebounded with 248 yards in the second half against Detroit, they couldn’t replicate that success against San Francisco, managing only 158 second-half yards. Minnesota will need to sustain second-half efforts to avoid another late rally from the Bears, as happened in Week 12.
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With their division rival in the house on Monday night, if the Minnesota Vikings’ offense can limit turnovers and the defense can contain Caleb Williams, our favorite football team should be 12-2, entering week 16 of the 2024 NFL season.
With Chicago’s run defense struggling, the Vikings may find another opportunity to establish dominance on the ground—and potentially get Aaron Jones involved in a big way.
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