Fansided

5 NFL teams on upset alert in Week 15

By Cody Williams

Nov 1, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears offensive tackle Kyle Long (75) talks to Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Chad Greenway (52) after their game at Soldier Field. The Vikings won 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears offensive tackle Kyle Long (75) talks to Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Chad Greenway (52) after their game at Soldier Field. The Vikings won 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
Dec 10, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) carries the ball during the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) carries the ball during the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Minnesota Vikings

One of the more interesting developments in the NFL over the past couple of weeks is that the blueprint of how to beat the Minnesota Vikings has somewhat been laid out. With Teddy Bridgewater’s inconsistency throwing the football, if you load the box to stop the run with Adrian Peterson against Minnesota, your defense can have success. With that and the fact that the Vikings defense is nicked up, the Chicago Bears have the chance to muck up the playoff race with a win on Sunday.

If there’s one area that the Bears have struggled defensively this season, it’s getting beat in the passing game. However, with the ability to stack the box and sell out on stopping the run against a limited Minnesota offense, that is somewhat negated as a problem for Chicago. Moreover, the Arizona Cardinals showed last week that the Vikings’ defense can be thrown on when not at full strength.

While you don’t like that the Vikes have had 10 days to prepare for this matchup, the makings are clearly there for a big divisional upset in Week 15. It’s not one that you’d want to bet your life on because, let’s face it, it’s still the Bears. However, the opportunity is at least there for them to pick up a shocking win.

Next: No. 2 Green Bay Packers

Home/Carolina Panthers