Jaylon Johnson vs. Vikings pass-catchers will be matchup(s) to watch in Week 12

I still haven’t gotten over the Chicaog Bears’ fourth-quarter collapse against the Detroit Lions in Week 11.

It’s days later, and I still have that sinking feeling in my stomach thinking about all of the good we saw that went to waste: a strong outing from Fields in his return, that absolute gem of a throw to DJ Moore, the defense winning the turnover battle (by a significant margin) … and it still wasn’t enough.

Despite all of that “good,” there was just enough “bad” to spoil a double-digit lead with four minutes to go.

But there is one player who should be on the minds of a lot of Bears fans this week. And no, I’m not talking about Tyler Scott, who forgot how to run an effective route on a play that ultimately cost Chicago the upset victory at Ford Field.

Instead, I’m talking about cornerback Jaylon Johnson.

Week 12 Bears Matchup to Watch: Jaylon Johnson vs. Jordan Addison/TJ Hockenson/KJ Osborn

The Jaylon Johnson vs. Justin Jefferson matchup was my original pick for Week 12’s key matchup, but it doesn’t seem like Jefferson will return Monday night. The Vikings claim he is getting closer, but I think a post-bye return seems more likely, given recent reports.

Even if Jefferson doesn’t play, much of the Bears’ success will come down to how Johnson holds up against Jordan Addison, KJ Osborn, and even TJ Hockenson.

Johnson wasn’t great against the Lions. He dropped two would-be interceptions and was flagged for a terrible pass interference penalty. He was bad, and he needs to prove in Week 12 that he is, in fact, worthy of the mega contract he’s looking for.

Week 12 to Jaylon Johnson is what Week 11 was to Justin Fields. It’s the start of an evaluation period. Plenty of people will say that Jaylon Johnson has proven himself enough throughout his career, but here’s the thing: having that many miscues in one game is fine if you bounce back. It’s OK if you make the big play. It’s fine if it’s a one-and-done. If Fields is going to be put under a microscope, so should every premium position player.

The bottom line is that Jaylon Johnson needs to string together good outings, and he needs one on Monday night against the Vikings. He has to be the lockdown guy he thinks he is. He can’t let a rookie make a big play, and he can’t get outphysicaled by a tight end. And if he has the chance to make a game-changing interception? Catch the ball.

I’m hoping Johnson has a bounce-back game. Week 11 may have been a game to forget, but all will be forgotten if he makes a statement in primetime on Monday night.

And if he does, the Chicago Bears have a good chance of pulling off an upset.