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Chicago Bears at Minnesota this afternoon

The Minnesota Vikings are still in good shape for a playoff berth
and the NFC North crown remains well within reach.

A short-handed defense, however, could make it difficult for them
to earn a key victory in today's visit from the Chicago Bears.

Minnesota (8-5) has a two-game lead on a postseason spot even after
back-to-back losses and is just one game behind Green Bay in the
division. The Vikings end the regular season with a visit to the
Packers on Jan. 3.

They'll first try to return to their winning ways against a team
that's on the verge of elimination.

It's unknown how many defensive starters will be healthy enough to
face Chicago (5-8) after Minnesota had four missing in a 23-20 loss
in Arizona on Dec. 10: linebacker Anthony Barr (groin/hand), nose
tackle Linval Joseph (foot), and safeties Andrew Sendejo (knee) and
Harrison Smith (hamstring).

Sendejo is probable, but Barr and Smith will miss a second straight
game, while Joseph and defensive end Everson Griffen (shoulder) are
questionable.

"The reason you have a football team, that you comprise a football
team of two and three deep is because there's injuries," said
cornerback Terence Newman, who moved to safety against the
Cardinals. "There's 100 percent injury rate. So, the coaches do a
good job of finding guys that are able to fit in to what they like
to do; guys that, first off know what to do and know how to do it."

The Vikings were also forced to use rookies Anthony Harris and Trae
Waynes in the secondary, and first-year defensive tackle Edmond
Robinson made his first start.

"I think guys grew a little bit of confidence, the guys who went
out there and stepped up," Harris said. "It's just all about
believing in one another. I feel like guys definitely believed in
us going out there. It brings a little more to it, I think."

Minnesota is close to securing its first playoff berth since 2012,
and there's an outside chance the Vikings could clinch one Sunday.
That would begin with getting a win or tie against Chicago and the
completion of some complicated scenarios involving losses or ties
from Tampa Bay, Washington, the New York Giants, Atlanta,
Philadelphia or Seattle.

The Bears are on the verge of elimination following back-to-back
losses that featured missed field goals from the usually reliable
Robbie Gould. The veteran kicker, who has converted at 85.1 percent
for his career, missed a tying 50-yard try with 1:40 remaining in a
24-21 loss to Washington last Sunday.

Gould missed from even closer - 36 yards - in the final seconds of
regulation in a 26-20 overtime defeat to San Francisco on Dec. 6.

"My teammates rely on me, and the last two weeks I just haven't got
it done," he said.

Gould went 2 for 3 against Minnesota last month and converted a
season-best 55-yard attempt, but a 51-yard miss in the third
quarter proved significant in a 23-20 loss.

Blair Walsh's 36-yarder as time expired gave the Vikings their
second win in the past 15 trips to Chicago and a chance for their
first season sweep since 2007.

Adrian Peterson had 103 yards on 20 carries in the first meeting
and faces another favorable matchup with a Bears defense that
allows an average of 4.7 yards per carry to rank 30th in the NFL.

The Vikings have won the last three home meetings and the past four
in Minnesota have been decided by a combined 18 points. Teddy
Bridgewater's 44-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter proved
key in a 13-9 win Dec. 28.

That was Chicago's final game under Marc Trestman, and current
coach John Fox is 2-2 there all-time. He's also led the Bears to
three consecutive road wins and put them on the verge of their
longest road streak since a five-game run in 2010.

Fox's team is also dealing with ailments on the defensive side with
safety Antrel Rolle (knee) going on injured reserve Monday.
Linebacker Pernell McPhee didn't play against Washington because of
a nagging knee injury.

Marquess Wilson sat out with an ailing foot, and fellow receiver
Kevin White officially will have to wait for his NFL debut. The No.
7 overall pick is remaining on the physically unable to perform
list because of a stress fracture in his left leg.

Sunday's game can be heard on Newstalk 1060 with the Pre-Game
Show at 11:30.

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