Hitting uprights four times while missing two extra points

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LAKE FOREST , Ill. (AP) — Mitchell Trubisky understands how high the stakes are.The Chicago Bears have a chance to tighten their grip on the NFC North lead and demonstrate just how far they have come when they host the defending division champion Minnesota Vikings in a prime-time showdown for first place Sunday night.“It’s a huge opportunity to show the world what we’re about and make a statement in our division,” Trubisky said.It has been a long time since the Bears (6-3) have been in a spot like this.They endured four straight last-place finishes before a resurgence this year brought on by an offseason overhaul and the progress of Trubisky, their prized quarterback, in his second season.They’re in sole possession of the division lead for the first time since 2013. They’ve won three in a row for the second time this season after beating Detroit last week to snap a 10-game skid against division opponents.And a victory over Minnesota (5-3-1) would give the Bears their longest win streak since a six-game run in 2012. But the Vikings are also on a roll, having won four of five.Both teams boast top-five defenses. Chicago leads the NFL with 16 interceptions and ranks second in takeaways with 24.Points could be hard to come by for both teams.“TV-wise, it’s probably boring, you know?” Vikings defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson said. “Guys don’t want to sit there and watch an 8-7 game, but those games are fun for us. They might not be fun for the offense, but they’re still fun for us.”Some things to know before the Vikings-Bears showdown:EYES OPENChicago coach Matt Nagy’s scheme uses a lot of pre-snap motions by running backs and wide receivers designed to confuse the defense. But the Vikings have faced plenty of that in previous games against the Rams and Eagles.“Still got to hike the ball,” Richardson said. “It don’t mess with us too much. Don’t get caught up in the eye candy. That’s it. Read your keys. They’ll tell you where they’re going.”Of course, whatever Nagy has shown over the first nine games is just a snapshot of what’s in that complex playbook.“There’s no doubt in my mind we’re going to get new plays,” Zimmer said, adding: “Every week you’re going to get new plays, you’re going to get new formations, you’re going to get new personnel groups. That’s part of the NFL.”FOR KICKSChances are, Bears kicker Cody Parkey will never have another week like this.

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