Vikings @ Bears

Who will WIN this matchup?

Minnesota Vikings (2-1)

@ Chicago Bears (2-1)

Current odds:

Minnesota Vikings: (+100)

Chicago Bears: (-120)

• The line for this game is Bears by 1 point.

• Dalvin Cook has bolted out of the blocks, to the tune of etching his name alongside four Hall of Famers in recording at least 100 yards on the ground and a rushing touchdown in his team’s first three games of the season. The NFL’s early-season rushing leader aims to remain on the fast track Sunday as the Minnesota Vikings travel to Soldier Field to face Khalil Mack and the Chicago Bears. Minnesota has bucked the trend of the pass-happy league, calling a designed run on 58 percent of its offensive plays while averaging more yards on the ground (193.7) than through the air (164.7). “That comes with the old-school rules,” Cook said. “We know the type of defense we’ve got. If we can keep this thing close and keep this thing manageable for us to go win the football game, that’s part of running the football and taking big shots and making plays and just converting.”

• Chicago has an impressive defense in its own right, with Mack forcing a pair of fumbles and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix returning one of his two interceptions for a touchdown in Monday’s 31-15 victory over Washington. Bears inside linebacker Danny Trevathan, who had one sack and eight tackles in that contest, appears ready for Cook and the Vikings after telling reporters: “Ground game, this is how football started. If you’re not hyped for that, you’re in the wrong place.”

• Kirk Cousins has been slow to get untracked with Minnesota relying heavily on Cook (375 yards, 6.6 yards per carry), who joined Jim Brown, O.J. Simpson, Emmitt Smith and Curtis Martin by rolling up triple-digit rushing yards and a score on the ground in each of his first three games this season. Cousins is averaging a meager 167.3 passing yards in 2019 and went below that number (132) in his previous encounter with Chicago, a 24-10 loss on Dec. 30. Stefon Diggs, who reeled in a 2-yard touchdown pass in that outing, has just six catches this season — with three coming for a total of 15 yards in last Sunday’s 34-14 romp over Oakland. Adam Thielen had a touchdown catch against the Raiders for a depleted wide receiver corps that welcomed back former first-round pick Laquon Treadwell this week after Chad Beebe (ankle) was placed on injured reserve.

• Mitchell Trubisky threw three touchdown passes to Taylor Gabriel in the second quarter against the Redskins after failing to find the end zone in each of the team’s first two games. “I don’t know if I would call it a breakthrough yet,” the 25-year-old Trubisky said. “We’ve got to keep getting better. Keep growing. Definitely room for improvement, and definitely in the second half, especially on my part. I think if we just stick to the process we’re going to be all right.” Gabriel was injured later in the game and has been in concussion protocol this week, although fellow wideout Allen Robinson (team-leading 17 catches, 203 yards) has proven to be Trubisky’s most trusted option this season. David Montgomery answered a lackluster NFL debut by taking advantage of an increased workload to lead all NFC rookie running backs with 194 scrimmage yards this season.

• Chicago CB Kyle Fuller has recorded an interception in two straight games and at least one pass deflection in each of his last three.

• Minnesota DE Danielle Hunter has notched a sack in each of his first three contests this season.

• Bears DT Akiem Hicks, who is nursing a knee injury and is game-time decision on Sunday, has collected 6.5 sacks in his last six contests versus the Vikings.