The Bears could still improve their seed

MINNEAPOLIS — For the fourth time in the past five years Sheldrick Redwine Jersey , the Chicago Bears will visit the Minnesota Vikings in the last game on the schedule.For once, this matchup has some meaning.The Vikings, having already ceded the NFC North title to the Bears, have yet to secure a spot in the playoffs. and snag that coveted first-round bye, if they win and the Los Angeles Rams also lose at home to San Francisco.More Vikings coveragePhotos of the Week: 7/21/19 – 7/27/19Rookie Bradbury is central figure to Vikings’ overhauled offensive lineVikings depth at cornerback being tested, Hughes still not clearedPlayers to watch at Minnesota Vikings 2019 training campTop Tweets: Vikings WR Diggs makes push for All-NFL Style TeamIf not, the Vikings (8-6-1) would be the likeliest opponent for the Bears (11-4) in the wild-card round next week.“We understand what’s at stake. There’s no magic formula. There’s no button you can push or hours you can put in to suddenly snap your fingers and guarantee a win,” Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins said. “You do all you can, give everything you have.”Last season, though the Vikings needed the victory to secure the second seed in the NFC and the first-round bye , they had clinched the division two weeks earlier while the Bears were bound for last place in the division.The year before that, the biggest drama was the pair of repelling oil pipeline protesters who sneaked past security to climb up a truss connected to the roof and unfurl a large banner as they lowered themselves from the ceiling. Both the Bears and Vikings had already been eliminated from contention.In 2014 at TCF Bank Stadium, the Vikings wrapped up their first of two years outside during the construction of U.S. Bank Stadium with a win over the Bears that determined they’d finish third in the NFC North and not fourth.The two teams did this play-out-the-string thing twice in recent memory at the Metrodome, too. Both teams were eliminated before the 2011 finale, too, when the Bears stopped a five-game losing streak to finish at .500. In 2005, with the Bears resting most of their starters with the division already clinched, a victory by the Vikings wasn’t enough to keep coach Mike Tice from being fired after the game .Well, finally, these rivals have entered their 2018 season closer in the right positions for a tension-filled game on Sunday.“We’re going in there really focused,” Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky said. “We know we’re going against a really good team.”Here are some other key angles to follow:SCOREBOARD WATCHINGThe NFL arranged the schedule to minimize the anticlimactic outcomes, moving the Bears-Vikings game to the late-afternoon slot so it would be played simultaneously with Eagles-Redskins, Cardinals-Seahawks and 49ers-Rams.The Vikings are guaranteed the last wild-card spot if Philadelphia loses at Washington. They would get the No. 5 seed and a first-round game at Dallas with a win and a loss by Seattle at home to Arizona. Their long-shot scenario is starting the postseason in Los Angeles, if they lose to the Bears and the Rams and Eagles lose, too.“All the hypotheticals or where we would be at or what we are going to be based on the results of this weekend, I know that we’re playing this game to win,” Trubisky said.“We’re going out there with our starters, and we’re competing. For me, it’s an easy mindset. Coach says, ‘Go,’ and we’re going.”7<button class="view-gallery">View Gallery</button> Gallery:Upon Further Review: Vikings at LionsNO PAYBACKThe Bears said they’re not seeking payback for Vikings safety Harrison Smith, whose hit on a sliding Trubisky late in the game in Chicago on Nov. 18 drove the second-year quarterback’s throwing shoulder into the ground and wound up sidelining him for the following two games.“I really put it behind me Kaleb McGary Jersey ,” Trubisky said. “I didn’t even consider it illegal or anything malicious of that nature.”Last week, 49ers safety Marcell Harris delivered a late hit on a sliding Trubisky, setting off a skirmish that resulted in the ejection of three players.“We’re not about being revengeful or getting back to anybody,” coach Matt Nagy said. “Nothing. None of that.”MACK ATTACKBears linebacker Khalil Mack, who was picked for his fourth Pro Bowl, reached double-digit sacks for the fourth straight year. He has 12½ sacks, with 4½ in the past four games. He’s tied for the NFL lead with six forced fumbles for the Bears, who have 36 takeaways for the most in the league.BETTER PROTECTIONMack and defensive tackle Akiem Hicks helped make the previous matchup, a 25-20 victory by the Bears, miserable for Minnesota’s offensive line. Cousins took only two sacks, but each of them lost 8 yards .Dalvin Cook and Latavius Murray combined for only 18 rushing yards on 13 attempts. The Vikings have blocked better in the past two games, and the improvement down the stretch by rookie right tackle Brian O’Neill has been particularly visible.“We knew at some point it was going to happen,” coach Mike Zimmer said. “He’s just such a good athlete.”NO PLACE LIKE HOMEThe Vikings are 18-6 in the regular season and postseason at U.S. Bank Stadium, and the Bears haven’t won in Minnesota since that final game on the 2011 schedule.“Our team feeds off the crowd and what they bring,” Cousins said. “It’s just a great place to play an NFL football game, and I can’t say enough good things about the venue, the locker room, the facility and the way our fans spur us on.”9<button class="view-gallery">View Gallery</button> Gallery:PHOTOS: Vikings at LionsAP | Copyright The Associated Press. All rights reserved.—CHICAGO (11-4) at MINNESOTA (8-6-1)Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EST, FoxOPENING LINE — Vikings by 6½RECORD VS. SPREAD — Chicago 11-4, Minnesota 8-6-1SERIES RECORD — Vikings lead 60-53-2LAST MEETING — Bears beat Vikings 25-20, Nov. 18LAST WEEK — Bears beat 49ers 14-9; Vikings beat Lions 27-9AP PRO32 RANKING — Bears No. 3, Vikings No. 13BEARS OFFENSE — OVERALL (21), RUSH (14), PASS (20)BEARS DEFENSE — OVERALL (4), RUSH (2), PASS (8)VIKINGS OFFENSE — OVERALL (17), RUSH (30), PASS (10)VIKINGS DEFENSE — OVERALL (3), RUSH (11), PASS (3)STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES — This is third straight season and fifth time in eight years with Bears and Vikings matched up in Minnesota in Week 17. 116th all-time meeting between Bears and Vikings Kendall Sheffield Jersey , including wild-card round playoff win by Bears in Minnesota in 1994-95 season. Strong possibility that Vikings and Bears face each other next week in wild-card round. … Bears have lost six straight games in Minnesota. … Bears are only team in NFC to hold second-half lead in every game this year. … Matt Nagy is first Bears coach with winning record in debut season since Paddy Driscoll went 9-2-1 in 1956, when George Halas took two-year hiatus. … QB Mitchell Trubisky is 63 for 89 (70.8 percent) for 755 yards (251.7 per game) with six passing TDs, one rushing TD and two interceptions for 109.5 passer rating in last three games vs. NFC North foes, all wins. Trubisky and Texans QB Deshaun Watson are only players in league this season with 95-plus passer rating and 400-plus rushing yards. … Bears have had 16 players with at least one TD, tied with Saints for most in NFL. … Chicago has held opponents to six or fewer first-half points in eight games this year. … Bears OLB Khalil Mack has 4½ sacks and forced fumble in last four games. … Vikings are 18-6 at home in regular season and playoffs since U.S. Bank Stadium opened. … Vikings RB Dalvin Cook has topped 100 total yards in consecutive games for first time in career, with 209 rushing yards and 62 receiving yards combined over last two contests. … QB Kirk Cousins, who has matched career high with 29 TD passes, needs one more to join Warren Moon (1994), Daunte Culpepper (2004) and Brett Favre (2009) as only players in team history with 4,000-plus passing yards and 30-plus TD passes in single season. … With one TD by WR Adam Thielen and six catches and one TD by Stefon Diggs, Vikings would have second set of teammates in NFL history with 100-plus receptions and 10-plus TDs in same year, joining Colts WR Reggie Wayne and TE Dallas Clark (2009). … Vikings lead NFL with 50 sacks, third most in franchise history behind 1992 (51) and 1989 (71). … Vikings have allowed fewest TD drives (25) in league for second straight season after giving up 23 in 2017. … Fantasy tip: Trubisky, who has 25 career starts, has posted three of seven lowest career passer ratings vs. Vikings. Vikings’ defense has 43 points allowed and 23 sacks in last three home games. ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Peyton Manning hasn’t strayed too far from football in retirement, serving as a volunteer coach at his kid’s youth games, hosting a show celebrating the NFL’s 100th season and visiting old friends like he did Thursday when he dropped by the Denver Broncos‘ practice.Only a handful of teammates remain from the squad that won Super Bowl 50 with him three years ago, and it’s a good thing cornerback Chris Harris Jr.’s contract stalemate was resolved this week or there would have been one less familiar face.Manning still keeps tabs mostly on Indianapolis and Denver, where he played, and on New York, where his brother Eli is in a QB battle with Giants rookie Daniel Jones and where his former offensive coordinator Adam Gase is now running the Jets.Despite rumors that Manning was up for the Jets’ GM job following the ouster of Mike Maccagnan, Manning said Gase never contacted him about the job.“He never did. I have spoken with Adam, of course, since he’s been there, but I did not speak with him about that nor was I contacted by anyone,” Manning told a group of beat reporters in a wide-ranging interview.“But as I’ve said before, I enjoy keeping up with of course Eli, but (also) the players or coaches that I’ve played with, played for — not many players here that I’ve played with. I was meeting a lot of players here for the first time.”Manning said he enjoyed catching up with Broncos new head coach Vic Fangio, who was his defensive coordinator in Indianapolis from 1999-2001. Manning said Fangio’s arrival in Indy “had a lot to do with” the Colts‘ turnaround from 3-13 his rookie year in 1998 to 13-3 in ’99.“He’s super competitive and he wanted to win every practice against the offense,” Manning recounted John Cominsky Jersey , adding, “I think it helped me a lot.”Manning recalled one practice in particular where he complained loudly that the DBs were holding his receivers and afterward found a plate of wine and cheese in his locker, a present from Fangio.Manning ended up going 15-1 against Fangio’s defenses during his career.“I don’t remember him bothering me that much, but I guess I kept it with me,” Manning said. “But I’m happy for him getting his opportunity to be a head coach. He has certainly paid his dues. He is all football. He is a grinder. And I think he’ll do a great job.”Manning also visited with quarterback Joe Flacco , who’s trying to do the same thing Manning did seven years ago when he revived not only his own career in Denver but also the fortunes of a foundering franchise.“I think he’ll have a great year,” Manning said, adding that rookie Drew Lock is in a good spot getting to learn from the veteran QB.Manning said what he misses about playing is the camaraderie.“I miss my teammates because you don’t see them every day,” he said. “That’s the greatest thing about football. You were around the guys every single day. Huddle. Plane rides. Cafeteria. The off-the-field things.”He said he was looking forward to attending the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremonies in August for Broncos owner Pat Bowlen and cornerback Champ Bailey, but never thinks about his own enshrinement prospects. He’s eligible in 2021.Asked if he’s going to work in the league someday, Manning said, “I can’t speak too far into the future. I guess in a way, I am right now doing this little thing for the NFL, on the 100th year.”Manning is hosting and serving as an executive producer for “Peyton’s Places ,” a five-part, 30-episode series celebrating the NFL’s 100th season. The show debuts on ESPNin July, with ESPN and ABC airing special compilations.Beyond that, “I can’t look into a glass and say what I am going to be wanting to do this year, next year or five years from now,” Manning said. “I do know I want to stay close to it, connected to it.”Manning, who said he turned down the chance to work on the “Monday Night Football” telecasts because the timing wasn’t right this year, spends plenty of time shuttling his 8-year-old twins Marshall and Mosley to their games.“I will be at the Yankees and Smashers’ 8-year-old baseball and softball games, Marshall and Mosley,” Manning said. “I am not coaching. I am a volunteer assistant.Manning is so busy nowadays that he shuns the word “retirement.”“It’s my second chapter, if you will,” he said. “I don’t have that one-word job description, coaching or broadcasting. I have just been kind of busy doing lots of things. That’s important to be able to go those games. … There’s flag football on Sunday. Marshall is playing for the Rams. He has a game on Sunday at 4.”And parents trust him around their kids after his United Way skit on “SNL” ?“Certain parents are very hesitant,” Manning deadpanned. “I kind of have to earn it as a volunteer assistant. It’s funny. It’s fun.”