The Bears are aiming to sweep the season series against Minnesota, go 5-1 in their division
By James Neveau ••
The Chicago Bears are in an interesting position on Sunday as they take on the Minnesota Vikings, as their playoff seeding is largely out of their hands.
The Bears, who are locked into at least the third seed in the NFC, could jump up to the second seed, but that would require a Los Angeles Rams loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday afternoon. To make matters more complicated, the games are being played at the same time, so the Bears won’t have the ability to rest starters if the Rams end up winning the game and clinching a first round playoff bye.
Despite that uncertainty, the Bears seem ready to roll most of their starters out and make a strong attempt to win the game over the Vikings, and here are five players that fans should keep an eye on as the game gets underway.
Adrian Amos
With Eddie Jackson likely out for a second straight week, the Bears will need some strong play over the top in their secondary, and that’s where Amos comes in.
The safety had an interception against Kirk Cousins in Week 11, and with the Vikings trying to clinch a playoff berth, it’s a fair bet that the quarterback will once again hurl the ball deep to receiving threats Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen.
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SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 23: Adam Shaheen #87 of the Chicago Bears is unable to make a catch in the endzone against the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 23: Tarik Cohen #29 of the Chicago Bears warms up prior to their game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 23: A Chicago Bears fan cheers in the stands during the NFL game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Chicago Bears at Levi's Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 23: Chicago Bears fans cheer in the stands during their NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 23: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers slides after a catch against the Chicago Bears during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 23: Mitchell Trubisky #10 of the Chicago Bears attempts a pass against the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 23: Anthony Miller #17 of the Chicago Bears celebrates after scoring against the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 23: Mitchell Trubisky #10 of the Chicago Bears celebrates after a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 23: Danny Trevathan #59 of the Chicago Bears celebrates after intercepting a pass by Nick Mullens #4 of the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 23: Joel Iyiegbuniwe #45 of the Chicago Bears reacts after a play against the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The Vikings had a tough time stopping the run against the Bears in Week 11, and Howard had one of his best games of the season in that contest.
With the Bears likely looking to keep Mitchell Trubisky out of harm’s way on Sunday, Howard could see an increased workload, and if he can pick up some good yardage in the process, then he could help the Bears milk the clock and keep the Vikings’ potent offense off the field.
Kyle Long
Long is expected to make his return from injured reserve in this game, and although it’s not clear how many snaps he’ll be on the field for, it will be interesting to see how his surgically repaired foot holds up as he participates in a playoff tune-up.
Chicago Blackhawks
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The Blackhawks' jersey pays homage to their 1933-34 look, which was worn when the team won their first Stanley Cup.
The Blackhawks' jersey includes six different years underneath the collar to honor the team's six Stanley Cup championships. In a very subtle addition, the white hash marks next to the numbers represent the iconic pattern that Notre Dame's football team has painted in their end zone.
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The game at Notre Dame Stadium will be the sixth NHL contest contested in the state of Indiana and the first since 1992.
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Like all Adidas Adizero jerseys, the new Winter Classic threads include the ventilation holes that add texture to the shoulders of the jersey and add some breathability for the players.
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In the year after the Blackhawks wore these jerseys, they switched to a sweater with red striping, paving the way for later iterations of their classic look.
The one main difference between these jerseys and the 1933-34 look is that the back of the jersey will have a name plate instead of a series of stripes.
The Winter Classic will be the Blackhawks' seventh outdoor game and fourth Winter Classic.
Anthony Miller
Allen Robinson likely won’t play for the Bears Sunday as he deals with a rib injury, and that could mean plenty of looks underneath for Miller.
The rookie receiver, who has seven touchdowns on the season, could see some more deep balls in this game if the Bears try to open up their passing attack, but even if they don’t, he should get plenty of work underneath as the Bears tend to go with shorter passes to get Trubisky into a rhythm.
Bilal Nichols
Nichols has been limited when the Bears have worked on field turf in the last few weeks of practice, and although they wouldn’t have to play on turf again until at least the NFC Championship Game, the Bears will be looking to see what impact, if any, the artificial surface will have on Nichols’ pass rushing ability.
