Caleb Williams, the Bears’ starting running back, finished swinging against the Vikings

Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell is well aware of his team’s impressive record.

O’Connell knows the Vikings surprised many observers who predicted they would finish at or near the bottom of the NFC North. He is aware of the praise directed at his approach to reviving the career of former quarterback Sam Darnold.

However, O’Connell is not satisfied. He wants to see his players take another step forward when the Vikings (8-2) visit the Chicago Bears (4-6) on Sunday on the shores of Lake Michigan.

“We just have to keep getting better and prove it,” O’Connell said. “8-2 means absolutely nothing.”

This weekend’s divisional tournament should be something.

The Bears are looking to snap a four-game losing streak and earn their first win since Oct. 13. Chicago’s streak began with a Hail Mary loss to the Washington Commanders, and it spanned four weeks last Sunday against Green Bay. The Packers blocked a 46-yard field goal attempt by Bears kicker Cairo Santos as time expired.

Bears coach Matt Eberflus tried to stay upbeat despite the big loss.

“There are many good things that should have been built,” he said. “That’s what you have to do.”

Bears quarterback Caleb Williams will look to build on a strong start as he prepares to face the Vikings for the first time in his young career. The rookie completed 23 of 31 passes for 231 yards last week against Green Bay, and carried the ball nine times for 70 yards.

Chicago receiver DJ Moore, who had a big role with seven catches for 62 yards last week, said he and his teammates should be able to keep up their good momentum this week against the Vikings’ top 10 defense.

“With all the players we have, I hope we can move the ball to all kinds of defenses – from the No. 1 defense in the league down to the 32nd,” Moore said. “Hopefully we can keep going and hopefully win it.”

As the Bears look to stop the losing streak, the Vikings will aim to keep their winning streak going. Minnesota is coming off wins over the Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans over the past three weeks.

Darnold has posted a 100.0 passer rating in 10 starts this season. He completed 67.9 percent of his passes for 2,387 yards, 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

The next touchdown pass would mark a career high for Darnold, who played for the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers before serving as a backup for the San Francisco 49ers last season.

“I feel like, you know — I don’t really talk about things that happened in the past — but I think here’s the information that we’ve had since OTAs, since April,” Darnold said. “We were able to close our progression. Just our feet, our eyes, where they should be. And just being on time with ideas.

“When you play like that, it makes the quarterback position a little bit easier.”

It also helps to have All-Pro wideout Justin Jefferson, who has 59 catches for 912 yards and five touchdowns. The Vikings’ leading rusher is former Packer Aaron Jones, who has 692 yards and a touchdown.

The teams split their games last season. The Vikings won 19-13 in Chicago on Oct. 15, and the Bears responded with a 12-10 victory in Minneapolis on Nov. 27.

Chicago is 4-2 at home this season. Minnesota is 4-1 on the road.

–Field Level Media