The Chicago Bears are having some hellacious practices to prepare for Monday night's game against the Minnesota Vikings next month. They feel this game is imperative for setting the tone for an important season. Everybody knows this is a really good team they'll be facing, having won 14 games last year. However, it appears the Vikings will endure a brutal setback in that contest. The NFL has suspended star receiver Jordan Addison for the first three games of the season for violating their substance abuse policy.
One cannot understate how important this loss is. Addison was crucial to both Vikings' victories over the Bears last season. He had 162 yards and a touchdown in that overtime thriller at Soldier Field while adding another 63 yards in Minneapolis later in the season. He is a vital part of their offense. Without him, the Bears would be free to concentrate their attention on stopping Justin Jefferson, making life much harder for young quarterback J.J. McCarthy. They will need somebody to step up.
The Minnesota Vikings face all the pressure.
They're the ones who had an ugly exit in last season's playoffs. They let quarterback Sam Darnold, who led them to that appearance, walk in free agency. They're taking a gamble that McCarthy can be just as good. Losing Addison right out of the gate feels like a bad omen. Not only that, but they're going into Soldier Field against a Bears team that seems tougher and more intense than ever, thanks to the arrival of new head coach Ben Johnson. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen also has a score to settle with the Minnesota Vikings after they dealt losses in back-to-back seasons when he was with New Orleans. Chicago will have bad intentions in this game. Not having Addison will make life much harder for the Vikings.
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