Bears Blog 10-28-15

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Bears officially turned the page from the bye week to the Vikings today. But not without honest reaction to the dismissal of veteran Jeremiah Ratliff. The drama surrounding his termination last week came with rumor of disruption off the field. The teammates we spoke with today didn't seem to agree.

Willie Young was quick to say, "I don't have a negative thing to say about him." Young looked to Ratliff like a brother the last couple seasons, adding " I learned so much from him. Just his mind set ... that's something you can't replace." Sam Acho said of Ratliff "That's a guy you follow... but we're focused on who is out there playing. Guys who are in this locker room." Ziggy Hood is one of those guys, signed to take Ratliff's spot on the roster.

Given a slim margin for error to compete and make his presence felt against Minnesota. Which is no easy task. The Vikings offense was forced to adjust last season, when Adrian Peterson was on the Commissioners Exempt "Suspension" list. A-P is back and every bit his pro bowl self, currently the league's 4th leading rusher. But what makes the 4-2 Vikings more dangerous this year is the reality that their offense evolved without him. Second year quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is more confident, bonding with a couple of receivers and TE Kyle Rudolph, all to compliment the power of Peterson. A real challenge for the defense that has struggled to take away the football.

The Bears, 20th in turnover ratio, and the secondary are still looking for their first interception of the season.

History is on the Bears side, they haven't lost to the Vikings at home since 2007, and they're coming back from a week off. Feeling like the offense is finding its rhythm, able to score more than the season high 34 they did in losing to Detroit 10 days ago. This week they may have to.