Chicago Bears Week 11 Notes: Most Important Win of the Season

Here we are. Yet another win despite not playing a clean, complimentary football game. But a huge divisional win, no less. Arguably, the most important win of the season for the Chicago Bears on the road against the rival Minnesota Vikings. Let’s get to my notes in this one.

Offense:

• Immediately stoked to see Luther Burden III starting as WR3 over Olamide Zaccheaus. I thought Burden had an up-and-down day, showing both why he earned this opportunity and also why it has taken this long to earn the trust of his coaches and teammates. The Vikings played a terrific game on defense, so hopefully this is the start of something special for the rookie wideout.
• Caleb was off-target in this one, especially early. Pressure got to the Bears’ offense in both the run and pass games, and Caleb was impacted. Deep balls to DJ and Rome would have gone for huge gains if not TDs.
• Chicago implemented a “quick-snap” game plan to try to offset the pressure coming from Brian Flores’ defense, even snapping the ball before the referees had officially set the ball in play. Something I have not seen outside of a two minute drill.
• Flores flipped the script from his week 1 strategy where he barely blitzed Caleb at all and was throwing pressure all day. Caleb escaped most of it, miraculously as ever I might add, but was still taken down for 2 official sacks. Tough day at the office for the OL, including Darnell Wright in both run and pass game.
• That was my favorite use of Cole Kmet in the passing game that I have ever seen. Of course, I love seeing him coast down the seam for a big gain, but when he is catching a ball in the flat and lowering his shoulder for more yardage, that is a high percentage and chain-moving play. With so many weapons on this offense, I would love to see more of that, please. No more screens to the big fella.
• His collision with CB Isaiah Rodgers was as big a hit as you will see. Kmet won.
• I felt we needed the run game in this one, and it’s no surprise that on two of our longest drives, including the only TD drive, we ran the ball well.
• Speaking of running the ball, Swift continues to impress. He is wasting no time putting his foot in the ground, cutting up-field and getting positive yardage and broke multiple tackles in this one. I thought Ben made a mistake late in the game not putting Swift back in the game after he single-handedly carried the offense down the field only for Cairo to miss the FG.
• That said, I love Monangai and will continue to praise the 1-2 punch that he and Swifty pose.
• Drops continued to hurt us, but none more than the late DJ pass that hit him square in the chest. Thankfully, rookie...