Vikings dominate, hand Bears 8th straight loss

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Vikings arrived this week. With a quarterback transition hanging in the balance, a team that was expected to fail has thrust itself into the conversation for the NFC’s best team. After clinching a playoff spot over the weekend, the Vikings stunned the Chicago Bears 30-12 on Monday night at U.S. Bank Stadium, sending the Bears on an eight-game losing streak.

The Vikings’ win moves them to 12-2, statistically tied with the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles in the league. The Vikings now have a chance to secure the NFC North title by winning their final three games. If they do that, the No. 1 overall seed in the West will be within their grasp, depending on how the Hawks perform during that stretch and the outcome of a few tiebreaker games.

The Vikings defense held the Bears without a touchdown until late in the fourth quarter, and they replaced many of their starters. To show how well-rounded their offense is, the Vikings got rushing touchdowns from linebackers Aaron Jones and Cam Akers, marking the first time this season they’ve done more than one in a game of touchdowns.

QB breakdown: After a week of intense public discussion about his future, quarterback Sam Darnold had one of the most inaccurate games of the season. He had 16 incompletions, his second-most in a game with the Vikings. It didn’t help that receiver Justin Jefferson threw a solid touchdown pass in the second quarter, but ESPN Research credited Darnold with six off-target throws. Tied for second most goals in a single game in 2024.

Jaw-dropping statistics: According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Jefferson was more open on the first-quarter touchdown pass than on any of his previous 20 passing touchdowns. Jefferson had a 4-yard gain to the nearest Bears defender on his 7-yard catch.

Disturbing trends: Right tackle Brian O’Neill, who is having one of the best seasons of his career according to Vikings coaches, injured his right knee in the first half and was out the rest of the game. end. The Vikings have struggled to protect Darnold when O’Neal has been sidelined, and with left tackle Christian Darrisaw (knee) already out for the season, O’Neal’s continued availability seems important. — Kevin Seifert

Next game: at Seahawks (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET)

A week of promises and statements that a quicker start could be achieved with a smarter game plan and better execution, but the Bears got the same result.

Chicago’s eighth straight loss exposed their offense as overwhelmed while the defense continues to allow too many explosive plays.

Everything seemed self-inflicted for the Bears, especially when their longest drive of the night — 62 yards — stalled at Minnesota’s 11-yard line after a rushing touchdown was wiped out by an illegal substitution. forward. This lackluster performance is nothing new for Chicago, which faces three playoff teams (Detroit, Seattle and Green Bay) at season’s end.

QB breakdown: Caleb Williams’ rage on the bench after taking a heavy hit in the second half summed up another frustrating performance. The rookie averaged 0.6 yards per attempt in the first half. The progress Williams made in the Bulls’ opener against an NFC North opponent appeared to be slipping away, as he shot 17 percent from the field, just below his season average (22 percent).

disturbing trend: Difficulties in the first half of the year. The Bears went scoreless in the half for the third straight week after two turnovers, a fumble and a punt by Williams led to another sluggish start. The Bears have outscored 53-0 over the past three first halves, the worst of any team in three games this season.

The biggest hole in the game plan: The Bears couldn’t convert on third or fourth down. The Bears didn’t tie the game at 12-12 until 14:35 left in the fourth quarter. They were also stopped twice on fourth-and-1 with D’Andre Swift running the ball.

most surprising performance: Defensive end DeMarcus Walker collected four pressures, bringing his season total to a career-high 25. Walker is a bright spot in the Bears’ pass rush, which should get better this season under Montez Sweat. The Bears gave up a second-round pick in Sweat in 2023 because they weren’t sure if a better edge rusher would become available in free agency. One of the players they could have pursued — Vikings outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard — recorded his 11th sack of the season in the first quarter. ——Courtney Cronin

Next game: vs. Lions (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)