CHICAGO, IL — The stage is set for an epic NFC Championship battle at Soldier Field as the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings collide for a chance to represent the conference in the 2K OLF Super Bowl. It’s a rematch of their thrilling Week 10 showdown, and both squads enter with a chip on their shoulder and everything to prove.
Previous Meeting
These teams last met in Week 10, where the Vikings claimed a tight 27-26 win behind J.J. McCarthy’s 274 passing yards and four touchdowns. Justin Jefferson was electric, grabbing nine passes for 102 yards and three scores, while Jerome Ford carried the load for the Bears with 53 rushing yards and a touchdown. With the stakes even higher this time, both sides know this will be a fight to the finish.
Team Leaders
For Minnesota, the offense is led by the explosive J.J. McCarthy, who has thrown for 5,255 yards and 56 touchdowns this season. He’ll be looking to Justin Jefferson, who snagged 87 passes for 1,212 yards and 19 touchdowns. On the ground, James Cook will aim to provide balance with his 795 rushing yards.
The Bears counter with quarterback Caleb Williams, who’s thrown for 5,500 yards and 38 touchdowns. His main target, D.J. Moore, has 1,307 receiving yards and six touchdowns, while Jerome Ford adds 482 yards and eight scores on the ground.
Injuries
The Vikings will be missing Rashaun Rainey (torn labrum), Nate Landman (broken collarbone), and Dallas Turner (torn labrum). Chicago, meanwhile, will be without Kevin Generals (hamstring), Amarius Mims (broken collarbone), and Darius Rush (broken ankle).
What to Watch
This game features two of the most explosive pass offenses in the league. Can the Vikings’ secondary, ranked 32nd against the pass, hold up against Williams and Moore? Meanwhile, the Bears’ defense must find ways to slow down McCarthy’s deep ball connections with Jefferson. In a game where both teams love to push the tempo, whichever defense can make a timely stop may decide who moves on.
The Vikings will win if…
McCarthy continues his MVP-level play, and Jefferson finds room against Chicago’s secondary. If Cook can control the tempo on the ground, the Vikings will be tough to stop.
The Bears will win if…
Williams gets time in the pocket to pick apart the Vikings’ struggling secondary. If the defense can limit Minnesota’s big plays and generate turnovers, Chicago will have the edge.
