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Bears to host Vikings at Soldier Field

The Bears will look to snap a three-game losing streak and win their first home contest of the season Sunday when they host the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field.

The game is the first of five home contests over the next six weeks for the Bears (3-6), who are in last place in the NFC North after losing five of six games since a 2-1 start.

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Running back Kyle Long and the Bears will battle the Vikings Sunday at Soldier Field.
In losing their last three games, the Bears have been outscored 94-7 in the first half. The offense's first two possessions in the last five games have resulted in eight punts and two interceptions. In the first half of the last two games against the Patriots and Packers, the defense has allowed 10 touchdowns and one field goal on 12 possessions.

Coming off their bye week, the Vikings (4-5) have won their last two games, beating the Buccaneers 19-13 in Tampa and the Redskins 29-26 in Minnesota.

The Bears offense is led by quarterback Jay Cutler, who has completed 66.4 percent of his passes for 2,365 yards with 18 TDs, 10 interceptions and a 92.8 passer rating that ranks 14th in the NFL.

Running back Matt Forte ranks seventh in the league in rushing with 616 yards, third with 1,133 yards from scrimmage and tied for fifth with 61 receptions.

With Matt Slauson out for the season with a pectoral injury and Jordan Mills doubtful with a rib injury, the Bears are expected to start a different offensive line combination for the sixth straight game, with Brian de la Puente at left guard and Michael Ola at right tackle.

They'll face a Vikings defense that ranks third in the NFL with 30 sacks. Minnesota is led by right defensive end Everson Griffen, who has recorded a team-high seven sacks.

Vikings rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has completed 60.4 percent of his passes for 1,321 yards with three TDs, five interceptions and a 74.9 passer rating that ranks 30th in the NFL. His favorite target is receiver Greg Jennings, who has 35 receptions for 459 yards and 2 TDs.

Minnesota's running game features rookie Jerick McKinnon (90 carries for 446 yards) and Matt Asiata (84 attempts for 277 yards and six touchdowns).

The Bears trail the all-time series with Minnesota 54-50-2 but have won seven of the last nine meetings dating back to 2009. The Bears have won six straight over the Vikings at Soldier Field and are 12-1 at home against Minnesota since 2001.

The Bears lost their last meeting to the Vikings 23-20 in overtime at the Metrodome last Dec. 1. The Bears blew a 20-10 fourth-quarter lead, eventually falling on Blair Walsh's 34-yard field goal with 1:43 left in overtime.

Alshon Jeffery caught 12 passes for a Bears-record 249 yards and two touchdowns, and Matt Forte rushed for 120 yards on 23 carries in the losing effort.

In nine career games against the Vikings, Cutler has completed 193 of 298 passes for 2,104 yards with 20 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and a 92.5 passer rating. He's currently tied for fifth in the NFL with 219 completions, tied for seventh with 18 TD passes, 10th with 2,365 yards and 14th with a 92.8 passer rating.

The Bears rank 15th in the NFL in offense (tied for 24th rushing and 12th passing) and 26th in defense (15th against the run and 28th versus the pass). The Vikings rank 27th in offense (10th rushing and 29th passing) and ninth in defense (16th versus the run and fourth versus the run).

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