Latest / Scene Projects Sports Network / Vikings vs. Bears: Game Keys, Strategies, and Predictions with Coach Cody and Kevin Cherry

Transcript

Vikings vs. Bears: Game Keys, Strategies, and Predictions with Coach Cody and Kevin Cherry · Scene Projects Sports Network

• 0:53
  What is up, everybody?
• 0:54
  Welcome in to the Scene Project Sports Network.
• 0:58
  It is the pregame show here on the Tailgate Show.
• 1:02
  We are so excited.
• 1:04
  Minnesota Vikings are traveling to Chicago today to take on the bears.
• 1:08
  Both teams are one and o, and the winner gets to claim first place in the NFC North.
• 1:13
  Coach Cody will be joining us.
• 1:15
  Maybe some other creators.
• 1:16
  I know Kevin Cherry, our, in house bears correspondent, is with Cody.
• 1:22
  They are live from Brewster's Bar and Grill in Cannon Falls, Minnesota today.
• 1:26
  I am at home in the studio.
• 1:28
  Happy to be here with everybody.
• 1:30
  Really excited for today's game as I'm sure you guys are as well.
• 1:36
  It's gonna be a big, big game and a big challenge for our Minnesota Vikings, taking on
• 1:43
  this bears team who, put up 59 points last week.
• 1:48
  Now I don't think they're gonna get anywhere close to that number on a sloppy soldier field
• 1:53
  today, but we're gonna get coach Cody's keys to the game, get his takes on it.
• 1:58
  We're gonna talk to Kevin and maybe some of his worries from the Chicago bears side as well,
• 2:04
  and a lot to get into.
• 2:05
  Before we get into all of that, I'm gonna hit a quick word from our sponsors, get some things
• 2:10
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• 2:37
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• 2:42
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• 3:20
  Pillars of Valor Coffee, great coffee, greater purpose.
• 3:43
  Is actually a co owner over there as well.
• 3:47
  Let's bring our guys in.
• 3:48
  Coach Cody and Kevin Cherry will get both of you guys in here coming to us live from
• 3:54
  Brewster's Bar and Grill.
• 3:56
  Oh, you guys are you guys aren't gonna be able to go live sitting right next to each other
• 4:07
  because of the microphone feedback, fellas.
• 4:09
  So, Kevin, go find a booth.
• 4:14
  You want me to bring this or you bring You you got that.
• 4:17
  Okay.
• 4:17
  I'm I'm good.
• 4:18
  What's good, coach?
• 4:19
  Not much, man.
• 4:20
  It's a fresh haircut.
• 4:22
  I'm ready to go.
• 4:24
  Yeah.
• 4:24
  Amazing week.
• 4:25
  Fantastic.
• 4:26
  Yep.
• 4:26
  And we'll just ask everybody to kinda bear with us today as we, first time doing our pregame
• 4:32
  show, in this way, and there's gonna be a lot of changes as we go through the season, as we
• 4:38
  start doing these live inside of bars, across Minnesota.
• 4:43
  And really grateful just to have this opportunity, and a huge shout out to
• 4:46
  Brewster's, for letting us host the show there today and giving Cody somewhere to hang out and
• 4:51
  watch the game.
• 4:52
  Yeah.
• 4:53
  What a blessing.
• 4:54
  Shout out to Bruces Barr, you know, Michael Odderness, Kevin Norrissev, the whole crew.
• 5:00
  You guys are amazing.
• 5:04
  Yeah.
• 5:04
  Great stuff.
• 5:05
  And we're gonna get Kevin in here in a bit.
• 5:07
  Let him get settled into his spot and make sure that we're all good over there.
• 5:12
  Make sure you guys are helping us share this out there.
• 5:15
  Share it with all your Vikings fans, friends out, and, yeah, even your bears friends, if you
• 5:22
  have any.
• 5:22
  I know I got a bunch in my circle.
• 5:25
  I'm gonna get there.
• 5:26
  Cody, I'm gonna go ahead and isolate on you and let you kinda give us some of the keys, to the
• 5:31
  game that you've identified and and kinda let you take it so I can get this stream shared
• 5:35
  out.
• 5:36
  Yeah.
• 5:38
  Well, first and foremost, our defense has a come play.
• 5:41
  We cannot let this bears offense run all over us.
• 5:45
  They went for almost 300 yards last game, and it's gonna be a a game for the trenches, the
• 5:53
  big man.
• 5:54
  Can our front seven get off the blocks and make plays?
• 5:59
  Hopefully, a lot of negative running plays.
• 6:02
  And then that leaves, you know, Caleb Williams to do his thing.
• 6:05
  Can our defensive backs, you know, tighten up a little bit?
• 6:10
  We gave up a lot through the air last week to Jordan Love and that Green Bay wide receiver
• 6:16
  group, but it just Dallas Turner, can he repeat the performance that he had last week?
• 6:24
  And, can we sneak out with a win?
• 6:26
  How's Carson gonna do?
• 6:28
  There's plenty to go over this week.
• 6:32
  Yeah.
• 6:32
  And, obviously, keeping Carson Wentz healthy today is paramount.
• 6:36
  Paramount.
• 6:36
  Once Once again, again, we we are are one play away from JJ McCarthy stepping back onto the
• 6:40
  field.
• 6:41
  For better or worse, you know, the fan base has always has been split on that.
• 6:45
  Unfortunate, you know, the biggest inactive, obviously, on the list for the Vikings, Kyler
• 6:50
  Murray, but also another huge injury in the backfield, this week from the game on Sunday.
• 6:56
  Jordan Mason with a broken hand has gone on to injured reserve.
• 6:59
  They it's gonna require people in that backfield to step up.
• 7:02
  Aaron Jones, not necessarily able to carry all of the load.
• 7:06
  So Damon Claiborne, I think, is gonna get some runs today and a chance to prove himself.
• 7:12
  But with his fumble history and ball control being something that was a little bit of a
• 7:17
  knock on him today in a muddy, wet environment, are you worried about the young man getting a
• 7:24
  shot and and, you know, putting the ball on the ground?
• 7:28
  Yes.
• 7:28
  Extremely worried, you know, Soldier Field, natural grass.
• 7:33
  You know, it's always a toss-up how we're gonna do.
• 7:36
  And I'm interested to see if KOC is gonna stick to that run knowing that we're down Jordan
• 7:43
  Mason, and we got some fumbling issues.
• 7:46
  Aaron Jones is up there in age.
• 7:47
  He can't carry the ball 20 plus times.
• 7:50
  You know?
• 7:51
  So I it's gonna be it's gonna be something to see.
• 7:56
  Awesome.
• 7:56
  Well, we're gonna bring in Kevin, get a few of his kinda opening thoughts here on the game.
• 8:01
  Kev, thanks for being with us and, you know, driving down to hang out with Cody at
• 8:07
  Brewster's as well.
• 8:09
  Of course.
• 8:10
  Thanks for having me.
• 8:12
  Yeah.
• 8:13
  So what are your thoughts coming from the bears angle on this game?
• 8:17
  Some some some fears and maybe some things to be excited about.
• 8:23
  Well, I would say, one thing that I'd be excited about, is if we can continue to keep
• 8:29
  our run game that we had last week.
• 8:32
  I think we had almost 300 rushing yards.
• 8:35
  And then just Caleb Williams being calm under pressure, hopefully, he can't you know, doesn't
• 8:42
  cause turnovers and, keeps us in the game.
• 8:45
  Biggest concern for me is gonna be the defense.
• 8:49
  I mean, we like I said, you know, the other day, we made Bryce Young look really good.
• 8:54
  We we gave up, like, I think, like, 350 passing yards to Bryce Young.
• 9:01
  So that's gonna be a big concern.
• 9:03
  Another concern for me is also Brian Flores.
• 9:06
  You know, he's a great defensive coach.
• 9:08
  That Vikings, you know, defensive line's pretty scary.
• 9:11
  They have good secondary as well.
• 9:14
  So those are probably my concerns for the game as long as as well as my what I'm excited to
• 9:23
  see.
• 9:25
  Kevin, does a sloppy field there in Chicago today, do you feel like that plays into the
• 9:31
  bears with that dynamic rushing attack that they have and gives them a little bit more of
• 9:38
  an advantage already playing at home?
• 9:42
  I would say that, you know, it it it might be in the middle.
• 9:46
  You know?
• 9:47
  It it's I think it helps to some sort, but it also could affect it as well, you know,
• 9:54
  depending on how bad it could be.
• 9:56
  You know, people can lose, you know, lose their footing and, you know, it could cause
• 10:00
  turnovers, as well as, you know, it hurts the defense, you know, coming to try to, you know,
• 10:10
  attack the run game.
• 10:12
  And it just you know, they they're gonna wanna try to avoid injuries with, you know, getting
• 10:18
  loose footing and all that.
• 10:22
  No doubt.
• 10:23
  And, obviously, the playing field is is level as far as the, you know, the surface goes with
• 10:30
  everyone here.
• 10:31
  Kevin, I'm just gonna keep your mic muted.
• 10:33
  We're getting a little bit echo on there, and I'll make sure to unmute you as we come back to
• 10:37
  you at two.
• 10:38
  But, Cody, you you've played outdoors.
• 10:41
  You you've coached teams in this.
• 10:43
  Is there anything you're telling now?
• 10:44
  Obviously, we know we can attach longer cleats, and you have this Bermuda grass at at Soldier
• 10:51
  Field that's deep and to dig in.
• 10:53
  And, obviously, being a indoor team for for the Vikings especially, is there a big difference
• 11:00
  kinda coming from that turf on a regular basis and going outdoors to the natural grass and
• 11:06
  then having wet slippery conditions on top of that.
• 11:10
  Yeah.
• 11:11
  I mean, you know, growing up in high school and college ranks to some point at some point, I I
• 11:17
  you know, you're gonna be playing on that natural grass.
• 11:20
  You're gonna get used to it, but then you get into the pros and you're on turf, and it's a
• 11:24
  whole different feeling, a whole different cleat that you have to wear.
• 11:28
  And, you know, just going back to that, I mean, we see a lot of injuries happen, and I'm just
• 11:34
  hoping that we can get out of this game injury free.
• 11:40
  Yeah.
• 11:40
  And that'd be a big big deal for the Vikings, especially having, you know, especially on the
• 11:46
  offensive side being a little depleted.
• 11:48
  Some other guys that are banged up, which is just it's natural.
• 11:51
  You know?
• 11:52
  A couple of guys popped up on the, injury report this week that didn't necessarily, you
• 11:58
  know, have anything that was going to maybe keep them out of the game, but limited them in
• 12:02
  practice this week.
• 12:03
  And I'm actually gonna go and look up our inactives and everything since it should be
• 12:07
  live now and find out some more about that.
• 12:11
  Today's inactives from vikings.com, obviously, quarterback Kyler Murray, safety Jacoby Thomas,
• 12:20
  receiver Jawan Jennings.
• 12:22
  Now that's a little bit of a surprise to me.
• 12:27
  The tackle Caleb Tiernan rookie tackle, I think has been out since training camp.
• 12:32
  So I'm not surprised there, but Jawan Jennings shows up on the inactive list today.
• 12:37
  That's gonna limit what you can do.
• 12:39
  Being a big threat in that rushing attack Yep.
• 12:43
  I'm I'm wondering what the you know, what that was.
• 12:47
  I didn't see that injury report earlier in the week.
• 12:49
  It was personal reasons, death in the family.
• 12:53
  Okay.
• 12:54
  So Alright.
• 12:54
  Out to Jawan Jennings.
• 12:57
  But, yes, I it's gonna impact us a lot in that running game.
• 13:01
  He's a hell of a blocker.
• 13:04
  But this is where I you know, this is time for Addison to step up and, the rest of the crew.
• 13:10
  You know, you you gotta be ready when your name is called and ready to produce.
• 13:16
  And then looking into the bears, they have a a couple of players.
• 13:23
  Nobody big on here.
• 13:24
  Case Keenum, their third quarterback inactive.
• 13:27
  Defensive line in Jamry Cromah, who had a kind of a standout preseason from a few of the games
• 13:33
  and highlights that I get to watch.
• 13:34
  Offensive lineman Jordan McFadden, who's one of their backups there, another offensive lineman,
• 13:39
  Ozzy Trepillo, and then defensive lineman Jaden Loving.
• 13:45
  Kevin, I'm gonna kinda open it up to you.
• 13:47
  Any of those guys key contributors in there and something and someone that the bears are gonna
• 13:52
  miss today?
• 13:54
  Yeah.
• 13:55
  I would say the biggest one is, Ozzy Capillo.
• 13:58
  If you watched game one, of the bears season, we had an offensive lineman come down, he had
• 14:05
  to step up.
• 14:07
  And he's a really good backup to have.
• 14:09
  He's been great on the outside.
• 14:11
  He's helped with the pass rush.
• 14:14
  So that's gonna be a big key when it comes to, like you said, with the sloppy field.
• 14:19
  You know, injuries are more likely to happen.
• 14:22
  So with our offensive line being, you know, hit or miss with injuries from last year and the
• 14:27
  start of this year already, That's gonna be a big big one, I think, for the bears to lose
• 14:31
  because he has been, you know, the guy that steps up for us.
• 14:36
  Yeah.
• 14:40
  Exactly what you just pointed out too, Kevin, that, you know, injuries are more likely in
• 14:45
  these conditions.
• 14:46
  There there's no way around it.
• 14:49
  Slippery conditions are always going to, you know, make those injuries more prevalent.
• 14:54
  And you you hate to see anybody go down, but it's gotta be the next man up philosophy.
• 15:00
  So to see offensive linemen and defensive linemen alike both on the inactive list for the
• 15:08
  Chicago bears has gotta give the head coach and the defensive coordinator over there a a little
• 15:13
  bit of pause.
• 15:14
  Speaking of those bears and something that they're going to, we got a couple of keys to
• 15:19
  the game that we're gonna bring in here.
• 15:24
  Vikings offense keys to the game.
• 15:26
  Protect Carson Wentz is kind of a a big one in here for reasons that we've already stated.
• 15:31
  But, coach, what would be, you know, elaborating on this and a little bit more, you
• 15:38
  know, your kinda keys to the game today for the Vikings offense specifically?
• 15:43
  Vikings offense, like you said, we offensive line has to show up today.
• 15:48
  You know, we have to keep Carson Wentz upright knowing that we're we could be one play away
• 15:54
  from JJ McCarthy.
• 15:56
  You know, give Carson Wentz time.
• 15:59
  He's a veteran.
• 16:00
  He's seen it all, been in the league, had success.
• 16:03
  Give him time.
• 16:04
  He'll be able to throw dots.
• 16:07
  Hopefully, more touchdowns to JJ.
• 16:10
  Thank god we were able to get him a couple touchdowns matching his career or season high
• 16:15
  from last week or last year.
• 16:16
  That's crazy.
• 16:18
  Our rate run game has to be there.
• 16:20
  We have to block.
• 16:21
  I believe O'Neil is playing, so that should help our offensive line out.
• 16:27
  But, you know, conditions, KOC, and his tendencies, let's see what happens.
• 16:36
  If we when we pass the ball, Addison, you gotta show up.
• 16:39
  You you know?
• 16:40
  Yeah.
• 16:41
  Wentz overthrew you a couple times, maybe outside of your, hands just outside your reach,
• 16:46
  but you gotta make that play.
• 16:47
  You gotta figure it out.
• 16:51
  Yeah.
• 16:51
  And it's interesting today because, you know, weather conditions aside, I think the Vikings
• 16:56
  have established already early on that they want to run the football.
• 16:59
  But, really, the weakness of this bears team is in the passing.
• 17:03
  They gave up a big day to Bryce Young.
• 17:06
  You wanna still be able to take advantage of that, and, let's go.
• 17:10
  Hey.
• 17:10
  What's happening, rap?
• 17:11
  Thanks for tuning in, buddy.
• 17:12
  We appreciate you.
• 17:13
  And everybody.
• 17:14
  We'll be tapping in for your pep rally over on the VocalVyke channel here in just a bit.
• 17:20
  Glad we're able to time these up and space them out a little bit so we can both tap in with
• 17:25
  each other, man.
• 17:25
  So appreciate you being in here.
• 17:28
  So we have, you know, we have an advantage, I think, with that.
• 17:33
  Now it sucks that Juwan Jennings not playing today.
• 17:38
  And, yeah, field conditions, skull are piss poor, I would say.
• 17:42
  The field, not great to begin with.
• 17:44
  It's gonna be wet all day, but that doesn't mean that you can't throw the football.
• 17:49
  And I think with the you know, you you our best player is our wide receiver in Justin
• 17:54
  Jefferson.
• 17:55
  We have to find a way to get him the ball.
• 17:57
  How important is it, coach, to establish that run early to maybe open up that play action
• 18:03
  pass because everything conditions the team, the philosophy is saying run the ball.
• 18:09
  Is it an opportunity here where Kevin O'Connell can open up that play action playbook and
• 18:15
  really take advantage of this bear secondary that are just struggling to really find
• 18:19
  themselves right now?
• 18:21
  Well, that's the hope.
• 18:22
  I mean, you hope to run to set up the pass.
• 18:25
  Especially when you have a dynamic player like Jefferson, you gotta find a way.
• 18:29
  Is it gonna be like I said, is it gonna come down to Jordan Addison, Ty Felton, Miles Price?
• 18:36
  Can they step up and try to show the Bears defenders, like, hey.
• 18:41
  They're gonna bracket Justin Jefferson anyway.
• 18:44
  Alright?
• 18:44
  But let's make it so they're not triple teaming him all game.
• 18:49
  So TJ Hockinson, the rest of the tight ends, running backs, like, we gotta help out Carson
• 18:56
  Wentz here.
• 18:59
  Well and I think that a guy like a his name's evading me because I'm trying to do three
• 19:08
  things.
• 19:08
  Josh Oliver.
• 19:11
  It it could have a big day today.
• 19:12
  Right?
• 19:12
  Sneaking out there, picking up chunks of yards.
• 19:15
  You're probably not hitting any bombs today.
• 19:18
  Right?
• 19:18
  The field is gonna be slow.
• 19:21
  You're gonna have to chunk plays.
• 19:22
  You're gonna have to find how you can create those 15 to 25 yard plays that maybe don't go
• 19:28
  for home runs, but can you go out and, you know, hit some doubles today?
• 19:32
  Can you provide some of that, you know, offensive firepower in chunk plays that Kevin
• 19:40
  O'Connell talks so much about?
• 19:43
  Trying to find that or be that dynamic offense.
• 19:46
  Oh, it's gonna come down to chunk plays with weather permitting.
• 19:51
  Hopefully, a couple of DB slip and fall, and we get a a bigger chunk play.
• 19:56
  But I just I'm interested to see, does he stick to the run even when it's looking like it's not
• 20:04
  gonna work?
• 20:05
  Because you're always that we're just one run away from breaking it.
• 20:09
  But I just he gives up on it too quick.
• 20:12
  Hopefully, we can set up a play action pass to JJ and hit one deep, at least one.
• 20:20
  And and while we're talking offense here, Kevin, I kinda wanna bring you in and get your
• 20:25
  thoughts on what the bears offense is gonna try to do.
• 20:28
  We know this team's gonna try to run the ball.
• 20:30
  It is a a a cornerstone of Ben Johnson's offensive philosophy.
• 20:35
  Are they going to be able to go out?
• 20:37
  Now I know they have some injuries.
• 20:38
  I don't know if Roma Dunze is on the field yet or or if he was on IR.
• 20:43
  I know the young man has struggled with injuries since the beginning of his career.
• 20:48
  Obviously, this bears team lost a big part of their passing attack with, you know, losing one
• 20:56
  of their biggest players.
• 20:57
  I his name amazed me, Kevin.
• 20:59
  You'll have to tap in there real quick.
• 21:00
  Oh, she got Yeah.
• 21:03
  I think DJ Moore is the the name that you're thinking of.
• 21:06
  Losing him losing him hurt, he was a great, you know, threat.
• 21:10
  You know, he was always getting double covered, but he did make a lot of the bigger plays for
• 21:16
  the bears when it when it was mattered most.
• 21:19
  But, yeah, you're you're correct.
• 21:21
  There's plenty of injuries on the offense that are still lingering from week one.
• 21:25
  You know, Swift and Kyle Monongi, they're still not a 100%.
• 21:29
  They've been questionable each week.
• 21:32
  I know Swift dealing with, some stomach problems, some stomach issues.
• 21:37
  You know, I don't know if it's cramps or what it is, it's been lingering for two weeks.
• 21:41
  Kyle Mununga, he's dealing with, I think, an ankle injury.
• 21:45
  So, you know, with, you know, with the field being as poor as it's gonna be, you know,
• 21:49
  that's gonna affect Kyle for sure.
• 21:52
  I think what the bears are gonna do is they're gonna run a lot of two tight end sets.
• 21:56
  So you're gonna see a lot of Loveland and a lot of, Cole Kmet out there.
• 21:59
  Because they're just gonna either, one, try to run the ball as much as they can, like they did
• 22:04
  against the Panthers, or, you know, they're gonna do some, you know, ins and outs with the
• 22:10
  tight ends and do maybe a lot of screen passes because, you know, it's Ben Johnson.
• 22:15
  He likes to have you know, make creative plays.
• 22:17
  So I think you could see Ben Johnson getting creative with the offense today since the field
• 22:21
  conditions aren't gonna be as good.
• 22:23
  Yeah.
• 22:24
  And I think that's a great spot here to now, transfer and and segue over onto the defensive
• 22:30
  side of the ball.
• 22:32
  Like Kevin just mentioned, these bears, Cody, are are gonna try to set up that run game.
• 22:37
  They're gonna try to set up these screen passes and get out there.
• 22:41
  But then you always have to be worried about in the pass game, the threat of Caleb Williams not
• 22:46
  only making plays with his arm and chunking the ball down the field, but he's one of the most
• 22:50
  dynamic athletes that steps onto the football field in the entire league.
• 22:54
  He's a threat to run on every single play as well.
• 22:57
  What can this Vikings, and I think it starts up front with the defensive line.
• 23:02
  What can this line do to contain Caleb Williams and to keep him in the pocket?
• 23:07
  And then how do you go and actually get pressure on him and maybe come away with a
• 23:11
  couple of sacks today?
• 23:13
  I mean, four, the defensive lineman, they gotta win at the point of attack, shut off blocks,
• 23:20
  and and set up and and just do their job.
• 23:23
  You know?
• 23:24
  A good defensive lineman, you don't have to always get the sacks or anything like that, but
• 23:29
  can you eat up two blocks opening up a linebacker to shoot on through or a safety on a
• 23:35
  blitz.
• 23:36
  Our blitzes have to hit home.
• 23:38
  If they don't, I mean, like you said, Caleb Williams, he is a dynamic football player.
• 23:45
  He's the one of the most athletic players.
• 23:47
  Every time he steps on the field, that's why he went number one overall.
• 23:51
  Some of the throws he makes off one foot, you know, it's leaning off to the side sidearm.
• 23:58
  It's crazy, but he's got just perfect touch on the, footballs.
• 24:03
  But, I mean, we gotta keep him in the pocket.
• 24:07
  If he gets out of the pocket, well, he's gonna shred us.
• 24:11
  Well, Dallas Turner had a big breakout in week one.
• 24:14
  I think they credit him with nine pressures.
• 24:17
  Now I don't think he came away with a sack on the stat sheet, but he really caused the chaos
• 24:23
  that that turned into a couple of these sacks.
• 24:25
  I think, it was obvious on the Levi Drake Rodriguez sack of the game that that outside
• 24:31
  pressure forced Jordan Love to start moving, and, he he was then brought down.
• 24:36
  Now it's gonna be a lot tougher to do that, and you can't break contain to go for the big play.
• 24:43
  And that's why it's so important that the, the front four are able to get pressure today
• 24:50
  because Caleb Williams, against the Blitz is phenomenal.
• 24:55
  Right?
• 24:55
  When you bring extra pressure against him, I think, a stat I saw or heard yesterday was,
• 25:00
  like, 3% of the time, he's actually sacked when you bring the blitz.
• 25:05
  And a lot of these times, he's able to break away and to hurt you down the field, whether it
• 25:11
  is with his legs or with his arm.
• 25:13
  So what can Brian Flores do coming off a week against Green Bay where he dialed up between
• 25:21
  7080% blitzes and pressures, which is a staple of his defense.
• 25:26
  Nobody's surprised by that.
• 25:28
  You know?
• 25:29
  Whether it's five or it's, you know, nine people coming, is there a bit more of maybe
• 25:35
  there was some some subterfuse there last week that you're calling a game putting extra
• 25:41
  pressure on, maybe just to put it on tape, to put a little something in future teams head to
• 25:47
  say, hey.
• 25:47
  We're not gonna be afraid to do this.
• 25:49
  Do you think that Flores comes out today and and shows Blitz, but then backs off to try and
• 25:56
  confuse what is still a young quarterback in Caleb Williams?
• 25:59
  I mean, it was no surprise that he blitzed as much as he did, but 80 some percent, that's
• 26:05
  almost insane.
• 26:07
  But that's what he does.
• 26:09
  That's what he's known for, and that's how he finds success.
• 26:12
  Always keeping quarterbacks on their toes.
• 26:14
  I wouldn't be surprised if he showed a lot more and dialed it back.
• 26:20
  Just, you know, hey.
• 26:21
  This is what could come, but, you know, just a little, you know, little candy to show on tape
• 26:27
  for other teams, keeping the back of their heads.
• 26:32
  Well and it's a big thing that scares me because a lot of the yards that were given up
• 26:36
  last week against the packers were coming in the middle of that field.
• 26:39
  When you bring that pressure and you don't get home, you're leaving areas of the field open.
• 26:44
  Most of the time in this Flores scheme, you're playing in a zone blitz.
• 26:49
  People are covering areas.
• 26:50
  If you're bringing pressure up the middle and those linebackers are blitzing, you're leaving
• 26:55
  that middle of the field kind of wide open.
• 26:58
  And alluding to what Kevin said, you have two really dynamic tight ends in Chicago between
• 27:03
  Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet.
• 27:06
  Both of them can take advantage of you in the pass game, and both provide a lot on the
• 27:10
  blocking side as well.
• 27:12
  So a a big worry for me on the defensive side from the Vikings is can we contain these two
• 27:19
  tight ends and and keep them from hurting us with those big plays, especially with Caleb
• 27:25
  extending the plays beyond, you know, the three or four seconds in the pocket that is kind of
• 27:30
  natural for the NFL.
• 27:32
  Kevin, kind of, you know, shifting over to you, the bears defense did not have a great game
• 27:39
  against the Carolina panthers whatsoever.
• 27:42
  They gave up a ton of points and a ton of yards to Bryce Young.
• 27:45
  What are they going to have to do to be successful today against the Vikings team who
• 27:50
  hung 39 points themselves and have a dynamic passing attack and now a, I would say, an
• 27:56
  emerging rushing attack even though they're down one of their top running backs.
• 28:01
  Yeah.
• 28:02
  You know, you you know, around the spot there.
• 28:04
  You know, our our defense is gonna need to show up.
• 28:07
  I mean, if you were to win this game, it's gonna be a full team effort.
• 28:10
  Our offense is not to be able to carry us.
• 28:12
  We're not gonna put up 59 every week.
• 28:14
  It's it's it's not gonna happen.
• 28:17
  But I think our corners, our secondary is actually my biggest concern.
• 28:22
  You know?
• 28:23
  Jalen Johnson was getting burned by a rookie in Jalen Coker.
• 28:27
  He got burned several times.
• 28:28
  He gave up a 100 and, I think, 42 receiving yards and two touchdowns to Jalen Coker.
• 28:34
  So, you know, he and he's supposed to be our best our best secondary player, Jalen Johnson
• 28:40
  is.
• 28:40
  You know, we lost Briskor.
• 28:41
  We lost, Kevin Byards.
• 28:44
  You know, we lost, you know, two of our better people, and we lost NaShawn Wright.
• 28:48
  Plus NaShawn Wright.
• 28:49
  Yeah.
• 28:49
  NaShawn Wright, the guy who had the interception leader for our team.
• 28:52
  So now Jaylen Johnson's gotta step up.
• 28:54
  Well, you also have Tyreke Stevenson.
• 28:56
  He doesn't have a good track record either.
• 28:58
  He gave up the game winning Hail Mary to the commanders because, you know, he celebrated too
• 29:04
  early.
• 29:05
  So our our secondary really needs to show up.
• 29:08
  If we don't if our secondary I'm not too worried about our line.
• 29:10
  I think our line's gonna get enough pressure, on Carson Wentz.
• 29:15
  I think the bigger issue is, are you guys gonna be able to guard Justin Jefferson?
• 29:19
  Are you gonna be able to guard Jordan Addison?
• 29:21
  And not only that, are you I think TJ Hockinson's gonna have a big day as well with
• 29:25
  the loss of Juwan Jennings.
• 29:26
  I was talking to Cody that before.
• 29:28
  I just put him into my lineup because I thought, you know, TJ is gonna have a good day
• 29:32
  on the field.
• 29:34
  Another thing is, you know, you're gonna have Aaron Jones.
• 29:37
  He's a great catching back, great backfield, you know, being able to get to the ball.
• 29:42
  And I think he's gonna have a big big game as well.
• 29:47
  But, yeah, the the biggest thing is gonna be if our secondary can show up.
• 29:52
  If not, they're gonna get schooled, and it's it it's gonna be bad.
• 29:59
  Yeah.
• 29:59
  And I don't think that either one of these teams are gonna have the offensive numbers on
• 30:04
  the scoreboard that either one of them did last week.
• 30:07
  I just don't think that this game is going to warrant it.
• 30:10
  I gotta shout out our guy, b, in the chat.
• 30:12
  He's working today, so appreciate you, b.
• 30:15
  He said, hello, boys and Cody.
• 30:17
  So I don't know what that means, but, he he got us in there.
• 30:20
  We appreciate you tapping in with us, B.
• 30:22
  Can't wait till you're here, with us.
• 30:25
  B throwing some, his game plan is simple.
• 30:28
  As the great coach Dennis Green would say, if you score more points than the other team, you
• 30:33
  will win.
• 30:34
  And you know what?
• 30:35
  Denny Green still still dropping wisdom on us all even after he's gone.
• 30:42
  So fantastic fantastic stuff from from be there.
• 30:48
  Yeah.
• 30:48
  I for me, it really comes down to can we get the running game going enough to open up our
• 30:55
  play action?
• 30:55
  I think we have to attack the spares team through the air regardless of the conditions
• 31:00
  out there, regardless of of what people think we're going to do, but you have to establish
• 31:06
  the run.
• 31:07
  And and I that's gonna be the question.
• 31:08
  Is KOC gonna be committed enough early in the game because your deep crossers and things that
• 31:15
  you like to run aren't gonna work?
• 31:16
  Is he going to be able to dial up some quick passes that maybe turn into fifteen, twenty, or
• 31:22
  longer gains for this team because of poor conditions, because of slippery pads.
• 31:28
  Right?
• 31:28
  Not only is it or the the feet the foot conditions, but it's a lot harder to grab and
• 31:33
  hang on to guys when it's soaking wet out there.
• 31:36
  So it's gonna be really interesting to me to watch the game plan from KOC and the offensive
• 31:42
  side, how they're attacking this.
• 31:44
  And then on the defensive side, can you get enough pressure on Caleb Williams to force a
• 31:49
  mistake?
• 31:50
  And, you know, I I think this game comes down to and I'm really on both sides.
• 31:55
  It's gonna come down to time of possession, who can hold the ball and dictate the terms on
• 32:00
  offense, and then on defense, who can force a mistake?
• 32:04
  Who's gonna be the first team to to really force that mistake, whether it's a a a fumble
• 32:09
  in the rushing attack or it's a big maybe strip sack coming, you know, on that team.
• 32:14
  Either one of these teams are capable of making these plays, and I I just I love this.
• 32:19
  I love this style of football that it's kinda forcing this Vikings team into because I think
• 32:25
  that it plays into the strengths of the players on this team.
• 32:29
  It may not necessarily play into the strengths of the coaching staff and what they have, you
• 32:34
  know, historically wanted to do, but we saw a game last week where Kevin O'Connell called
• 32:41
  more rushing plays than he did passing plays.
• 32:43
  And I don't know if that's a record in his history as a play caller, but it shows that it
• 32:50
  shows that maybe he's turned over a new leaf and and is gonna do whatever is necessary to
• 32:55
  get his team a dub.
• 32:57
  Cody, what are your thoughts just kinda overall game plan that has to be implemented here for
• 33:03
  the Vikings to come away with a win?
• 33:05
  I mean, defensively, you gotta we gotta stop the run.
• 33:09
  If they if the bears run for 300 on us, I'm a puke.
• 33:13
  Alright?
• 33:14
  Or if they get anywhere close to that, I told Kevin that earlier.
• 33:18
  You know, front seven, gotta come to play.
• 33:22
  You know, hit hit home on your blitzes.
• 33:26
  Offensively, run the ball.
• 33:29
  You know, can we get someone over Just a couple close to a 100 yards?
• 33:35
  You know, is it gonna be split like it was last week?
• 33:39
  15 carries for Mason, 12 carries for Aaron Jones, or are they gonna do more of a committee
• 33:46
  and maybe 10 carries tops for everybody?
• 33:49
  I'm interested to see that.
• 33:51
  Can Addison pull his weight and help Jefferson out?
• 33:56
  That's what that's what I'm gonna go with.
• 33:59
  Yeah.
• 33:59
  And does Jordan Addison get involved in the rushing attack similar to how he did against
• 34:05
  the lions in that Christmas day game last year, breaking a huge end around for 60 plus yards
• 34:11
  and a touchdown.
• 34:13
  Is this the day and and the game plan that allows that and brings a little bit of that
• 34:21
  trickery in as, everyone gets really keyed in on what the other wants to do.
• 34:27
  Who is going to be the one watching Caleb?
• 34:29
  Does Hitman get his pick today?
• 34:31
  Now, b, on that note, I am not a fan of the quarterback spy on Caleb Williams because I
• 34:39
  think in at this point in his career, he's gonna try to hurt you with his arm first and
• 34:45
  with his legs second.
• 34:46
  So I think you have to count on the athletic ability of your defensive, you know, not just
• 34:52
  the secondary, but the linebacking core to to make plays on Caleb should he escape and get
• 34:58
  that.
• 34:59
  If you're gonna bring pressure, you can't bring pressure and spy him.
• 35:02
  Right?
• 35:02
  And and he's not Lamar Jackson where the rushing attack from Caleb Williams is a big
• 35:07
  part of that game plan from the word go.
• 35:10
  So, for me, it's definitely gonna be, can this Vikings, you know, secondary, which did not
• 35:17
  tackle well last week?
• 35:19
  Theo Jackson really struggled back there to make the stops that he needed to.
• 35:23
  You got Hitman coming in, playing in a limited role last week.
• 35:27
  And then is he going to get more time?
• 35:29
  I think he played just between twenty and thirty snaps last week.
• 35:33
  Is he looking at more, you know, 30 to 40 snaps this week as his body adjusts not having a
• 35:39
  training camp and really getting into that?
• 35:41
  You need that experience.
• 35:43
  You need that out there on the field this week, especially in what is a chess match between a
• 35:49
  offensive play caller in Ben Johnson and your defensive play caller in Brian Flores.
• 35:56
  Kevin, turn it over to you.
• 35:58
  Kinda what's your ideas game plan wise that Ben Johnson and his defensive coordinator need to
• 36:04
  implement to come away with the w today?
• 36:07
  Yeah.
• 36:08
  I think the biggest thing is going to be our defense needs to step up and then they make
• 36:13
  open field tackles.
• 36:14
  That was another thing I forgot about is we missed a lot of open field tackles against the
• 36:19
  panthers last week, and we we need to limit that this week.
• 36:23
  We can't be giving them extra yards.
• 36:26
  But another thing is going to be, you know, having a fluid run game.
• 36:30
  You gotta have a steady run game because that opens up the pass game.
• 36:33
  And the other thing is and and the other thing is going to be, protecting Caleb Williams.
• 36:41
  You know, the the panthers showed that the Bears had offensive line does have
• 36:46
  vulnerability.
• 36:47
  They did get to Caleb a couple times, in week one.
• 36:51
  So I think that's gonna be another thing as well, especially with the, you know, conditions
• 36:55
  of the field.
• 36:57
  And I think Caleb's gonna have to he's gonna have to use his feet, I think, today as well.
• 37:02
  I think he's gonna have to, you know, make the play longer.
• 37:05
  He's gonna have to get out of the pocket and, you know, create create plays himself, you
• 37:13
  know, as well as having the fluid run game.
• 37:16
  So I think those are gonna be the keys to success is if your defense can make your open
• 37:20
  field tackles and if your secondary can step up.
• 37:23
  And then her offense is just gonna be protecting Caleb and, you know, having a fluid
• 37:27
  run game.
• 37:29
  Yeah.
• 37:29
  The penalties were penalties were a huge problem.
• 37:32
  We had, like I think we gave up, like, 80 something yards in penalties.
• 37:36
  We gotta limit that as well.
• 37:38
  Yeah.
• 37:39
  That's the last thing you can do is give this Vikings team who, and I won't say that they're
• 37:44
  on the ropes, but definitely reeling a little bit.
• 37:47
  That that Jordan Mason loss, right now as it sits is is a big one.
• 37:52
  And you can't be taking a team and Juwan Jennings as well.
• 37:56
  You know, what like Cody said, our hearts go out to the Jennings family, loss of a family
• 38:01
  member there.
• 38:02
  So, hearts are with him, but he's a big part of maybe he's not getting the ball, but he's a
• 38:07
  huge part of that blocking scheme in the Vikings rush game.
• 38:11
  So you can't be giving this team extra opportunities to chunk you down the field.
• 38:18
  Also got a, a question from B here.
• 38:21
  And I think which is more?
• 38:23
  Total punts by both teams or number of wings Kevin will eat at Brewster's today?
• 38:33
  Kevin, what state you?
• 38:37
  To be honest, I I I'll probably end up eating more wings than both teams have for punting, to
• 38:43
  be honest.
• 38:44
  I'm kinda hungry.
• 38:45
  Came up here expecting that I'm gonna be eating some food.
• 38:49
  So
• 38:51
  Yeah.
• 38:52
  Me too.
• 38:53
  I'm about to smack on some wings here.
• 38:56
  Well and a huge shout out to Brewster's Bar and Grill there in Cannon Falls, letting you guys
• 39:01
  in the door early so we can get the show done here.
• 39:04
  Now you guys will be hanging out during the game.
• 39:07
  Anyone who's in Minnesota around the Cannon Falls area, make sure you get on over to
• 39:12
  Brewster's Bar and Grill.
• 39:13
  Join Cody and Kevin there on-site.
• 39:16
  They're gonna be there the whole game taking it in, eating some wings.
• 39:19
  And I'm pretty sure and and you'll have to correct me if I'm wrong, but free Jell O shots
• 39:24
  after the Vikings score any field goal or touchdown, that's what I heard from last week.
• 39:30
  I don't know if that's a weekly thing.
• 39:31
  If not, we're definitely gonna advocate for that here from the Steam Project Sports
• 39:36
  Network.
• 39:38
  I'm not sure.
• 39:39
  I'm not sure.
• 39:40
  I'll let you know, though.
• 39:42
  Good.
• 39:43
  Good.
• 39:43
  Well, you you get that info for us, and we'll make sure to broadcast it out to the world.
• 39:49
  About 40 in, guys, I I'm interested to hear what predictions are.
• 39:55
  And, Kevin, I'm gonna go ahead and start with you since you are the visitor here.
• 40:00
  Are we talking about predictions for our score here?
• 40:03
  Yeah.
• 40:04
  So, you know, I as everybody here knows, I am a bears fan.
• 40:08
  But I have a prediction of 28 to 24, but I have it in favor of the Vikings.
• 40:14
  I think our deep I think the bears defense is I think it's gonna be a problem.
• 40:20
  I mean, I didn't see much promise in week one against average panthers offense, with, you
• 40:27
  know, a rookie as their leading receiver.
• 40:29
  Well, now you have to go guard guard, you know, Justin Jefferson.
• 40:32
  You gotta guard Jordan Anderson.
• 40:33
  You gotta guard, you know, the veteran TJ Hawkinson.
• 40:36
  You gotta go against the Vikings line who's been decent.
• 40:39
  I really it I don't think our bear the bears defense lines up real well against this,
• 40:45
  Vikings offense.
• 40:48
  And I think the Vikings defense lines up better with the Bears offense.
• 40:52
  So I think a lot of a lot of stuff points to the Bears just and, you know, the the only
• 40:58
  thing I really have going from is all the home field advantage, the weather, you know, Vikings
• 41:03
  play indoors.
• 41:05
  So that's really the only thing I see.
• 41:07
  Brian Flores, he's gonna he's gonna, you know, call out an amazing game on defense.
• 41:13
  But I don't think the bears are gonna be able to shut down Justin Jefferson like they've been
• 41:18
  doing.
• 41:18
  They don't have the corners to do it.
• 41:19
  They don't have this you know?
• 41:21
  The only promise that's all in the defense was Daniel Feeneman.
• 41:24
  Thank you, Vikings, for passing him to us in the draft.
• 41:28
  That's the only thing I can say went good for us.
• 41:30
  So other than that, I think our defense is gonna be they're gonna struggle.
• 41:38
  Oh, Steve.
• 41:39
  I'm gonna get to you, buddy.
• 41:40
  I'm gonna get to you.
• 41:43
  Bunny, b b put in his score here.
• 41:45
  I'll get this, and then I'll get to you, Cody.
• 41:47
  Twenty three nineteen Vikings between Cody and Kevin.
• 41:51
  Eats wings.
• 41:52
  A tie.
• 41:53
  You know what?
• 41:54
  We're gonna have to get that on film.
• 41:56
  So you boys, we're gonna do a wing eating contest there at Brewster's today, and we're
• 42:02
  gonna see who can maybe not who can eat the most, but who can eat a a dozen of the spiciest
• 42:08
  the fastest.
• 42:09
  Let's go.
• 42:10
  Let's go.
• 42:10
  Last week, it was how many pickle shots can Cody put down during the tailgate show.
• 42:16
  This this week, it's how fast can he eat some wings.
• 42:18
  I like where this is going, Cody.
• 42:20
  Do you relish in this role of being the the the gadget guy on this SPSN crew as well as our
• 42:27
  lead analyst?
• 42:28
  I mean, someone's gotta do it.
• 42:30
  Someone's gotta try it.
• 42:31
  I'll go ahead and do it.
• 42:34
  Hey, Franco, with the prediction of 31 to 24 bears.
• 42:40
  Coach, go ahead.
• 42:42
  I'm gonna go with twenty four twenty one.
• 42:45
  Will Rikard coming off a walk off field goal from 60 plus.
• 42:51
  I think Justin Jefferson's gonna get another two, and I think Aaron Jones is gonna get one
• 42:56
  on the in on the ground.
• 42:58
  You know, our defense is gonna gonna bring it today.
• 43:04
  Yep.
• 43:04
  And I got a a similar prediction, but I'm going twenty seven twenty four.
• 43:08
  I think Will has one at the end of the first half and at the end of the game.
• 43:14
  You we have one of the best kickers in the NFL.
• 43:16
  I think Carson Wentz knows how to get this team at least down there into that field goal
• 43:21
  position.
• 43:22
  And even though kicking conditions will be tough today, swirling winds in, soldier field
• 43:29
  as they always are, I think that the Vikings have an opportunity to come away with a huge
• 43:34
  win today on the road against their division rival and just sit atop the NFC North after two
• 43:40
  weeks in the n f or in the NFL season and, to put themselves in a position, to to kind of
• 43:48
  ride this out and to ride a wave of momentum through this early part of the season with
• 43:52
  their backup quarterback, Carson Wentz.
• 43:55
  I think that's a a huge, huge deal for them, but, it's gonna be a hard fought game.
• 44:00
  This is a black and blue division game, through and through.
• 44:03
  We're gonna have a a lot of smash mouth football, which I'm a big fan of, but it's
• 44:10
  gonna be who can come out with the big play on offense and on defense.
• 44:15
  And we're really looking forward to bringing it from Minnesota into Chicago.
• 44:20
  We hope everybody had a great time tapping in with us today.
• 44:23
  Really wanna thank our guy, Kevin Cherry, who's gonna be with us a lot more and hoping to have
• 44:29
  him around with us the rest of the season giving his football takes.
• 44:34
  This one's a special one because he is a bears fan, but the man knows his ball and he knows it
• 44:38
  across the league.
• 44:39
  So appreciate you, Kevin.
• 44:41
  Thanks for tapping in today, man.
• 44:42
  Anything you wanna say before we let you go?
• 44:46
  No.
• 44:46
  Like you said, it's just gonna be some hard fought football.
• 44:50
  You know?
• 44:51
  I think, you know, the defensive lines are gonna be it's gonna be great.
• 44:56
  You're gonna see some pressure on both quarterbacks, so it's gonna be a great game.
• 44:59
  Great to see the NFC North, you know, go at it whenever they play each other.
• 45:04
  It's always hard fought football.
• 45:07
  Excellent.
• 45:08
  Well, Kevin, thank you so much for joining us today, brother.
• 45:10
  Can't wait to meet you in person when we're up there in a couple of weeks and have you join us
• 45:15
  outside of US Bank Stadium from the Viking World Order Tailgate at 903 Washington.
• 45:21
  I would give Steve a shout out here.
• 45:24
  Four three with Hockinson, a three run homer in the ninth.
• 45:28
  I don't think that he has his sports mixed up, though.
• 45:31
  Hakinson, we got to see him at the celebrity softball game back in May.
• 45:36
  The guy can hit the ball, but who you really gotta watch out for when it comes to home runs
• 45:40
  is Andrew Van Ginkle who went on to win the home run derby.
• 45:44
  Bee would know he was there calling it from the booth.
• 45:48
  Coach, any final words from you before we get out of here?
• 45:51
  I just saw our guy rap his live over on the Vocal Vike channel.
• 45:54
  So we're gonna go tap into the chat with him and hang out Yes, sir.
• 45:58
  At the Vocal Vike pep rally now.
• 45:59
  But, coach, any final thoughts before we get out of here?
• 46:03
  Skull Vikes, come down.
• 46:05
  Shout out to Bruce's bar.
• 46:06
  Come on come on down.
• 46:08
  Watch the game with us.
• 46:09
  We might might be able to watch that the wing eating contest live.
• 46:15
  Spiciest sauce.
• 46:19
  I love it.
• 46:19
  Well, we're gonna have a great time.
• 46:21
  Really appreciative of Brewster's for allowing us to take over the spot a little bit here,
• 46:27
  broadcast our show live from there.
• 46:29
  Looking forward to doing it in person with you guys later on here in the season.
• 46:34
  We got our predictions.
• 46:35
  We got our keys to the game.
• 46:37
  It's the tailgate show.
• 46:39
  This is our pregame episode.
• 46:41
  We're gonna be running these live from Brewster's during the away games, and we are
• 46:46
  going to be live from the VWO tailgate at 09:03 Washington.
• 46:52
  That's with the army division.
• 46:53
  I'm going to drop the link in the chat so you guys can check out that schedule.
• 46:58
  I will be back up in Minnesota on October 4 for the game against Miami.
• 47:05
  So looking forward to seeing everybody then.
• 47:08
  The weather should still be nice.
• 47:10
  Check out that link, to check the schedule, and it matches right up with the Viking schedule.
• 47:15
  So away games down in Cannon Falls at Brewster's, at least now for the time being.
• 47:19
  We do have some talks about maybe taking that show out on the road.
• 47:23
  And, home games, 903 Washington, a block east of US Bank Stadium, a great spot to watch no
• 47:30
  matter which team you're rooting for.
• 47:32
  So appreciate everybody tapping in.
• 47:34
  Kevin, Cody, appreciate you guys too.
• 47:36
  Enjoy the game up there at Brewster's.
• 47:38
  Make sure
• 47:38
  you give everybody a big hello from me here in the studio.
• 47:41
  And Skull Vikings, we'll see you next week.
• 47:45
  See you, fellas.