With their division rival Detroit Lions losing in a shootout on Sunday afternoon, 48-42 versus the Buffalo Bills, the Minnesota Vikings came into Monday’s game against the 4-10 Chicago Bears with a chance to gain ground in the vaunted NFC North. That is exactly what they did, as the Vikings mossed and easily dispatched of the Bears 30-12, to sweep the season series.
Donning white helmets for the first time in franchise history to go along with the snow-like jerseys and pants in their now-annual winter-themed home game, comfortably taking place in a heated dome, the Vikings had an energized and enthusiastic crowd behind them after former wide receivers Cris Carter, who is in the Hall of Fame and Jake Reed took a No. 84 Randy Moss jersey to 50-yardline for the coin flip in honor of their former teammate, who is battling cancer. Jefferson shouted, “We love you, Randy!” after his touchdown catch in the first quarter. In the stands there also gymnastic star and Olympian Simon Biles, Hall of Fame baseball player Joe Mauer who played for the Twins and is a Minnesota Twins and singer/TV host Vanilla Ice.
The Vikings controlled the game wire to wire, beginning when the Bears could not convert a 4th-and-1 on their first drive, turning it over on downs in their own territory. Minnesota took an early 10-0 lead and never looked back in their review mirror, leading by 13 at halftime and by 17, 20-3, after three quarters.
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams managed to keep alive his NFL rookie record streak of 286 straight passes without an interception for the eighth straight game, but struggled for the most part going 18-of-31 for 191 yards and a fumble.
Sam Darnold did not deliver his A-game, but he was effective when he needed to be, completing 24 of 40 passes for 231 yards, a touchdown, and an interception on the night. The lethal partnership of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison combined for 14 catches and 136 yards, with Jefferson getting the first score of the game. Running back Aaron Jones added 20 touches for 106 total yards and a touchdown.
Embed from Getty Images“Just seeing us stacking the plays, stacking the good games together is really good to see,” Jefferson said. “Our potential is so high. Every game we’re expecting the offense to be the best on that field.”
With the win, Minnesota now ties the Lions with a 12-2 record, although Detroit still owns the tiebreaker for now after defeating Minnesota 28-20 earlier in the year. Those two power houses will meet again in Week 18 in the season finale, with the winner likely claiming the NFC North crown and, potentially, the NFC’s No. 1 seed, which a bye week.
Over the next three weeks, the Lions will play two road games, at the Bears, at the 49ers, and vs. the Vikings at home, while Minnesota gets the Seahawks on the road, Packers at home, and Lions on the road. The Philadelphia Eagles will face the Commanders on the road before home games against the Cowboys and Giants to end the season.
“It’s going to be incredibly competitive down the stretch,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said. “We’re going to have to play well and continue to improve, chasing our best football.”
The Vikings did secure a playoff spot on Sunday when the Seahawks lost 30-13, so no matter how the final three games shake out, Minnesota will be returning to the playoffs after missing the postseason last year with a 7-10 record.
For the Bears, this marks their eighth straight loss and second with interim head coach Thomas Brown. Chicago still has not scored a point in the first half of any game since November 24 against Minnesota.
“Just trying to find ways to put us in better spots, design better plays, call better plays,” interim coach Brown said.
