The Minnesota Vikings might go as far as Sam Darnold takes them this season.
That might turn out to be a lot farther than anyone predicted at the start of training camp.
Darnold and the Minnesota Vikings (11-2) will aim for their seventh straight win when they host the Chicago Bears (4-9) on Monday night in Minneapolis.
The 27-year-old quarterback is coming off his best performance yet, when he threw for 347 yards and five touchdowns last week in a win against the Atlanta Falcons.
A prime-time matchup against Chicago offers Darnold another chance to show off his improvement as he approaches what is likely to be a big payday in free agency.
“Sam is wildly talented,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said. “He’s making some unbelievable, big-time throws and plays. I think as he continues to ascend and get more comfortable, defenses are going to try to do things.
“But where he’s at in this season and in this system, I have a ton of confidence that Sam’s going to continue onward and upward.”
The Bears also are encouraged by improved play from rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, although they are focused more on next season and beyond while the Vikings are focused on a possible playoff run. Chicago has lost seven games in a row.
Williams has completed 62.2 percent of his passes for 2,746 yards, 16 touchdowns and five interceptions in his first 13 starts. He also has rushed for 405 yards. Over the past seven games, Williams has seven touchdown passes and no interceptions.
Bears interim coach Thomas Brown is impressed with Williams’ poise in the pocket in addition to his obvious physical skills.
“He’s not playing scared,” Brown said. “He’s ripping the ball into tight windows. I think it’s probably even more impressive. It’s not like sitting back there and not taking chances down the field.
“We always talk about finding ways to be aggressive but not reckless. There is a fine difference between the two of them. I think his progression (is apparent) when it comes to understanding the offense, operation wise.”
Williams said, “I still want to keep working on my feet and things like that. I think that’s one of the things, making sure (that I am) just being completely in rhythm throughout the whole game.
“I think Thomas and I have done a solid job so far. Obviously, (we) can be better.”
The Bears’ secondary will face a stiff test as it goes up against a Vikings receiving corps that includes Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and tight end T.J. Hockenson. Jefferson leads the group with 75 catches for 1,170 yards and seven touchdowns.
Brown offered an honest answer when asked about defending Jefferson.
“He’s a problem,” Brown said. “I don’t think anybody has a true answer of how to stop elite players. I’m not going to act like we have some magical formula.
“Any time you talk about the passing game, the more you can impact the front and affect the quarterback, that obviously negates what a receiver can do.”
Aaron Jones leads Minnesota on the ground with 893 yards and four touchdowns.
For Chicago, Williams’ top options in the passing game include DJ Moore, Rome Odunze and Keenan Allen. Moore leads the unit with 68 catches for 712 yards and five touchdowns.
D’Andre Swift has a team-high 742 rushing yards for Chicago, but he is dealing with a groin injury. Other Bears who sat out practice on Thursday included fellow running back Roschon Johnson (concussion) and defensive lineman Gervon Dexter Sr. (knee).
The Vikings’ only player to miss practice on Thursday was cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who is dealing with a hamstring injury that kept him out of the Atlanta game.
In the first meeting between the Bears and Vikings this season, Minnesota earned a 30-27 overtime win in Chicago on Nov. 24.
