Chicago Bears: 5 X-factors for beating the Vikings in Week 10

Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images
Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images /
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Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Allen Robinson, WR

Folks, we could be seeing the end of the Allen Robinson era in Chicago. His contract is up at the end of the season. He stated his desire to stay with the Bears but the feeling might not be mutual.

Robinson expected to work out a deal just before or just after the season started. The Bears have signed a lot of their players at the start of the final years of their contract. It didn’t happen with Robinson, however. There was a difference of about $2 million between the two sides and the team cut off talks about two weeks into the season.

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When talks began in the offseason, both sides were confident that an agreement was going to happen. Now, though, there are no talks and it appears as if the Bears might go another way. They could still franchise him but if the Bears don’t value him as much as most do, what is the purpose of tagging him? Besides, Robinson is playing even better than last season.

Robinson could be auditioning for another team. For the second straight season, despite a struggling offense he’s playing very well. He’s made a career of playing well dealing with subpar quarterbacks. Imagine if a team with a good quarterback comes calling.

The Vikings have a horrible pass defense. They rank 30th in passing yards allowed and 29th in passing touchdowns allowed. Their ability to force turnovers is mediocre as well. They rank 17th in interceptions.

The Bears (if the offensive line holds up) may have opportunities at converting big plays. The Vikings do a good job of preventing red zone touchdowns, ranking sixth. That means the chances of long touchdown passes are there.

Robinson runs excellent routes, so he needs to take advantage of Minnesota’s porous defense. Just like last season, he is the most targeted receiver on the roster. This season, he’s been targeted 24 percent of the time. The next most-targeted player is tight end Jimmy Graham, with 15 percent. Both Nick Foles and Mitchell Trubisky have full confidence in Robinson.

Robinson has to reward that confidence in him and hurt the Vikings secondary. His play is crucial for the Bears to end their losing streak.