The NFL season is always evolving. Week 2 arrives with just a bit more insight into who the teams are and how they project to attack the next opponent.
In this weekly series, I’ll feature one player from the Chicago Bears opponent on each side of the ball who I think is integral to their team’s success. Like seasons past, you won’t see any quarterbacks, as the nature of the position always makes them critical for a team’s success. I’ll also try and mix in a few under the radar players from time to time.
Let’s start with the Minnesota Vikings offensive player that I will be focused on.
Offense: T.J. Hockenson, TE
CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 15: Tight end T.J. Hockenson #87 of the Minnesota Vikings runs the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on October 15, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 15: Tight end T.J. Hockenson #87 of the Minnesota Vikings runs the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on October 15, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 15: Tight end T.J. Hockenson #87 of the Minnesota Vikings runs the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on October 15, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images) Getty Images
In 13 career games against the Bears (both as member of Vikings and Lions) T.J. Hockenson has had 58 catches for 618 yards with 3 touchdowns. That equates to roughly 4.5 catches per game and 47.5 yards per game with a score every 4 games. Even so, the fact that he hasn’t scored against the Bears in 6 games is not why he’s on this list. Hock is on this list because he’s going up against a team in Chicago that struggles to defend the pass and is starting a rookie at safety with a veteran QB in Carson Wentz.
With Justin Jefferson figuring to gain most of the attention, I expect either veteran signal-caller to target Hockenson more than the 6.4 targets he is accustomed to receiving against the Bears. If Thieneman can stay close both mentally and physically, he will once again remind Vikings fans of the draft day disappointment when he could have been a Viking but the Vikes instead chose DT Caleb Banks out of Florida. Speaking of rookies, given the fact that Jordan Mason is on IR, I was tempted to highlight former Wake Forest Demon Deacon and 6th round pick, running back Demond Claiborne. But as I suggested prior to the draft, he is likely a player that benefits from some seasoning before pressed into action.
Defense: Dallas Turner, Edge
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 16: Dallas Turner #15 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on in the third quarter of the game against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 16, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 16: Dallas Turner #15 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on in the third quarter of the game against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 16, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 16: Dallas Turner #15 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on in the third quarter of the game against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 16, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) Getty Images
Speaking of seasoning, it seems that may have been exactly what the former first-rounder needed to finally reach his potential, and he’s now showing why Minnesota targeted him two seasons ago. That said, I have been nervous about that potential being reached against Chicago for a while now. And if week one is any indication, where Turner had 7(!) QB hits and a sack, Turner is ready. It sounds like he has the attention of head coach Ben Johnson. Which we know by now means the HC will have a plan for DT.
As my guy MongoPeanut pointed out, his one-on-one matchup against Braxton Jones will be key this week, and I expect a lot of TE help to keep him contained. The problem is Brian Flores is a madman at calling defensive plays, creating pressure and chaos for opposing offenses. Oh, and Minnesota is loaded with absolute dogs on defense like Andrew Van Ginkel, Ivan Pace Jr., Blake Cashman, Erik Wilson, Byron Murphy Jr., and my personal Minny fav, Josh Metellus. But Turner taking that next step into consistent pass rush and playmaking threat could be enough to stifle any offense. Even ours.
What about you? Which Viking player outside of Justin Jefferson will you be keying in on this week?