Minnesota Vikings @ Chicago Bears as week eight comes to a close
Tuesday 1 November 2016 00:06, UK
Minnesota Vikings travel to NFC North rivals Chicago Bears as the week eight action finishes on Sky Sports 1 from 12.30am.
It is top against bottom at Soldier Field as the Vikings put their 5-1 record on the line against a Bears team that have lost their last three games and sit bottom of the division with just one win all season.
Chicago's sole success came in week four when they managed to see off Detroit in front of the long-suffering Bears fans and they have it all to do if they are to record a second home win of the season on Monday night.
Led by quarterback Sam Bradford and one of the NFL's top defences, Minnesota sit top of the NFC North and a win at the home of one of their main rivals will put them in pole position for a play-off spot at the end of the season.
Having started the season with five straight wins to head into their bye week with a perfect 5-0 record, the Vikings returned to lose their 100% start with a defeat at Philadelphia last time out and all eyes will be on how they bounce back.
However, the Vikings could hardly have picked a better opponent having won their last three against the Bears including a 23-20 win at Soldier Field last season.
Chicago play a divisional rival for the second week in succession and having stuck with Green Bay until the third quarter - when they were eventually put away by Aaron Rodgers and his receiving options - they will hope for another improved showing that will last the distance.
Jay Cutler, despite his struggles at quarterback, returns after injury to replace Brian Hoyer whose hopes of a run at the starting spot were scuppered by last week's broken arm while Eddie Royal and Jeremy Langford are both listed as questionable.
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For the Vikings Jerick McKinnon is out while wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson will hope to come through concussion protocol to feature.
