Kevin O’Connell is one of the best head coaches in the NFL. He’s also one of the best offensive minds. When he offers an assessment of players, it would be wise to heed his words. His Minnesota Vikings prepare to host the Chicago Bears for the rematch of their week one battle. O’Connell knows his team took that game and absolutely needs this one. He also knows that the Bears are a far different team from the one his guys took down two months ago. It starts with their offensive line, headlined by right tackle Darnell Wright.
O’Connell has kept an eye on what the Bears have done offensively. Everybody is playing better, but no one can hold a candle to Wright. The head coach said as much in his latest presser.
It’s one thing to hear it from local media and fans. It is another when a top coach from another team says it out loud. Wright has given up seven pressures on the quarterback this season. That’s it. He is also among the highest-rated run blockers. It’s no coincidence that the Bears run much of their offense through him.
Darnell Wright could set the tone for the Bears in this game.
Minnesota has struggled to stop the run this season. They allowed 152 yards last week against Baltimore and 207 yards two weeks before that in Los Angeles. Chicago had 119 yards in the first meeting this year, so Ben Johnson knows it is possible. The trick this time is to execute better. Darnell Wright should lead the charge. Many of their biggest plays this season have come from running behind the right side of the offensive line. There is no doubt the Bears would love to stick it to Minnesota early.
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The biggest key will be handling the Vikings’ exotic blitz packages. Few are better in the league than Brian Flores. He will likely throw everything at them. Wright has been good at picking up late rushers and is difficult to beat one-on-one. If he has a strong performance, the Bears can win.