NFC North-leading Vikings look to regroup against Bears

Nothing like a matchup against a last-place team to regroup from a loss.

So consider this good timing for the Minnesota Vikings.

The NFC North leaders will try to get back to winning when they meet the returning Jay Cutler and last-place Chicago Bears on Monday night.

Minnesota (5-1) had played well enough to overcome its flaws until a post-bye trip to Philadelphia last week.

Sam Bradford was sacked six times against his former team playing behind a struggling offensive line, and the Vikings became the last team in the NFL to lose a game this season, falling 21-10 .

"I'm anxious to see the determination this team has going forward," coach Mike Zimmer said. "You never know, every team is different, but I think I have a pretty good feeling with these players, and typically, with this football team."

If the Vikings need a lift, Chicago (1-6) could be the team to provide it.

After all, the Bears are off to their worst start since they dropped seven of their first eight in 2000.

Chicago is one of four teams with one or zero wins and comes into this game averaging a league-low 15.9 points. The Bears at least will have Cutler after he missed five games because of a sprained right thumb.

But his future in Chicago appears up in the air after coach John Fox publicly wavered in his commitment to him as the starting quarterback.

The Bears had no choice but to go with Cutler after he got medical clearance over the weekend, since Brian Hoyer broke his left arm in Thursday's 26-10 loss at Green Bay . He faces a tough assignment in his first game back going against the league's No. 1 defense.

It will be the lone game for Chicago in a 23-day span, with a bye next week.

"Obviously you have to have success in your division to be successful and that's our goal," coach John Fox said. "At some point we'll get there, hopefully sooner rather later."

Here are some things to look for as the Vikings try to bounce back against the Bears:

COVERAGE VS. CUTLER: Cutler is 8-5 with 26 touchdown passes in 13 starts against the Vikings, the most victories he has against any team, but he has also thrown 14 interceptions. He'll face a defense that has been one of the toughest to pass against in the NFL, holding opponents to a league-low 63.7 passer rating. The Vikings are also the best in the NFL against the deep ball, limiting foes to 5-for-22 passing on throws traveling 20-plus yards with four interceptions and a paltry 14.6 rating.

"We see one guy get one, we all want to get one," cornerback Trae Waynes said.

Strong safety Andrew Sendejo, who has four takeaways, sprained his ankle last week at Philadelphia, putting his availability in question.

HOLDING THE LINE: The Vikings have been patching together their offensive line, with both starting tackles on injured reserve. Mike Harris, the starting right guard who has also started at tackle throughout his career, has been unable to play because of an unspecified illness. The group struggled badly with pass protection against the Eagles.

The Bears could be short-handed on the offensive line, after left guard Josh Sitton (ankle) sat out last week's game and right guard Kyle Long left because of a pectoral muscle strain.

CATCHING ON: Cutler's return could mean bigger numbers for Alshon Jeffery -- and maybe even a touchdown.

Jeffery averaged 100.5 yards receiving with Cutler starting the first two games. In the five with Hoyer, who is less likely to look downfield, he averaged 63.8 yards.

As for scoring a touchdown, Jeffery still doesn't have one this season. He finished with four in nine games last season and has never gone this long without a TD.

"We've just got to find ways to get him the ball and capitalize on some of these big plays that we've had, and we will," Cutler said. "It's a matter of time."

RUNNING ROOM: The run blocking wasn't bad at Philadelphia, and the Vikings have been getting by without All-Pro Adrian Peterson with a group, including Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata. Ronnie Hillman, a member of Denver's Super Bowl-winning team last season, saw his first action against the Eagles. McKinnon scored his first career touchdown last December in Minnesota's victory at home over Chicago.

PROMISING PERFORMANCE: While it's been hard to find positives for the Bears, rookie outside linebacker Leonard Floyd was a bright spot last week. The No. 9 overall draft pick had two sacks, including a fumble recovery in the end zone.

MINNESOTA (5-1) at CHICAGO (1-6) Capsule

Monday, 8:30 p.m. EST, ESPN

OPENING LINE -- Vikings by 5

RECORD VS. SPREAD -- Minnesota 5-1, Chicago 1-6

SERIES RECORD -- Minnesota leads 57-51-2

LAST MEETING -- Vikings beat Bears 38-17, Dec. 20, 2015

LAST WEEK -- Vikings lost to Philadelphia 21-10; Bears lost to Green Bay 26-10

AP PRO32 RANKING -- Vikings No. 5, Bears No. 30

VIKINGS OFFENSE -- OVERALL (31), RUSH (31), PASS (26).

VIKINGS DEFENSE -- OVERALL (1), RUSH (3), PASS (4).

BEARS OFFENSE -- OVERALL (16T), RUSH (25), PASS (11).

BEARS DEFENSE -- OVERALL (12), RUSH (17), PASS (16).

STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES -- Minnesota, one of four teams with one loss or less, was last to lose in NFL this season. ... Vikings tied for league lead with average of 14 points allowed, fewest through six games for this franchise since 1988. ... Vikings lead NFL in turnover margin (plus-11) and turnovers forced (16). ... Minnesota allowing 222 yards a game passing, 81.7 rushing. ... Without RB Adrian Peterson, Minnesota struggling to run ball, ahead of only Giants in NFL. ... Vikings trying to win consecutive road games against Bears for first time since 1999-2000. ... QB Sam Bradford was sacked six times, lost two of his four fumbles and threw interception against former team last week. ... With Thursday night game last week and bye coming up, this is Chicago's lone game in 23-day span. ... Bears are averaging league-low 15.9 points. ... Chicago is one of four teams with one win or less. ... Bears are off to worst start since 2000 team dropped seven of first eight. ... With QB Brian Hoyer breaking left arm against Green Bay, Jay Cutler back after missing past five games because of sprained right thumb. Cutler is 8-5 in 13 career starts against Vikings, his most victories against any team, with 26 TD passes and 14 interceptions and average of 234.5 yards passing per game. He's 6-1 at Soldier Field against Minnesota. ... RB Jordan Howard ranks second among NFL rookies with 352 yards rushing. ... Rookie LB Leonard Floyd coming off two-sack game against Green Bay, first multi-sack game of career. ... K Connor Barth is 9 of 12 on field goals. ... Fantasy Tip: Expect more from Bears WR Alshon Jeffery with Cutler more likely to go deep than Hoyer. Jeffery averaged 100.5 yards receiving with Cutler starting first two games. In five with Hoyer, he averaged 63.8.