Minnesota Vikings: 4 steps to beating the Bears

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Aug 8, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (84) catches a pass against the Oakland Raiders for a first down in the first quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. Vikings win 10-6. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

3) Convert third downs

37.5 percent is the number to beat for the Minnesota Vikings (as measured by Team Rankings).

That isn’t a pretty third down percentage (20th in the league)and it needs to increase if the Vikings want to beat the Chicago Bears, who are converting 41.67 percent (12th best in the league).

The Vikings have struggled to complete drives through the season and that can be an absolute killer for momentum and a game overall. If they can’t sustain drives against the Bears, the opposition may not be so kind as to return the favor and give the ball back regularly.

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Over the last three games, the Vikings have gotten better on third downs, converting a total of 45 percent of them. That’s ninth best in the NFL. They’ll have to keep that up if they want to win this game.

This could be possible with the Bears allowing opponents to convert 43 percent of their third downs so far this season, which is among the worst in the league.

Hopefully, the Vikings will be striking while the iron is hot and can convert a large percentage to keep their drives going, taking advantage of one of the Bears’ weaknesses on the season. Last week, the Bears let the Washington Redskins convert almost 60 percent of their third downs.

The Vikings can do that as well. Look for third downs to be critical and often successful for the Vikings this week.

Next: Open up the offense more

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