Aaron Jones and Cam Akers scored touchdowns in the second half to make up for a stifling performance by Minnesota’s defense, and the Vikings moved into a tie for first place in the NFC North for the seventh time with a 30-12 win over the Chicago Bears on Monday night. Consecutive wins.
Justin Jefferson had seven catches for 73 yards, including a Sam Darnold touchdown in the first quarter that was set up by Jonathan Greenard’s sack and forced a fumble on Caleb Williams.
Williams maintained his NFL rookie passing streak of 286 consecutive passes without an interception for eight consecutive games, but the Bears (4-10) lost them all. The first overall pick in the 2024 draft went 18-for-31 for 191 yards and threw a late touchdown pass to Keenan Allen after a blocked punt that gave the Bears the ball at the Minnesota 27.
The Bears were 1-for-12 on third downs and 1-for-3 on fourth downs.
Darnold went 24-for-40 for 231 yards and threw his first interception in five games for the Vikings (12-2). The Vikings clinched a spot in the playoffs after Seattle lost to Green Bay the night before. They clinched the division title squarely after Detroit’s 11-game winning streak was halted by Buffalo on Sunday.
Wearing white helmets and snow-like jerseys and pants for the first time in franchise history in their annual winter-themed home game played from the comfort of indoors, the Vikings had an energized crowd behind them after former wide receivers Cris Carter and Jake. Reid brought a Randy Moss jersey to midfield for a coin flip in honor of his former teammate, who is undergoing treatment for cancer. Jefferson shouted, “We love you, Randy!” After his touchdown catch.
Jake Reed and Cris Carter paid tribute to former Vikings teammate Randy Moss before kickoff. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
D’Andre Swift has rushed 19 times for 79 yards in the last three games for the Bears, who led 53-0 at halftime. According to Sportradar, they are the first team to post three consecutive scoreless halves since Jacksonville in 2018.
shame bear
The Bears are reeling not just because of a losing streak, but because of a 2-6 record in games decided by a touchdown or less. The firing of offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and his successor, Matt Eberflus, last month also prompted changes among playcallers on both sides of the ball.
Once again, the Bears made some improbable plays that ultimately doomed them. Swift went 4-for-1 with a score at the Chicago 39, then went 4-for-1 again at the Minnesota 29 in the second quarter for no gain.
In the third quarter, Swift had a short touchdown run negated by a penalty when backup center Doug Kramer neglected to report as an eligible receiver when he entered the game as an extra blocker at the goal line.
Then rookie Kiran Amegadjie, who had three penalties in his first NFL start and was badly beaten by Greenard on a strip sack, was called for holding. The Bears settled for a short field goal.
injury report
Bears: Amegadjie replaced Braxton Jones, who suffered a concussion, along with backup RB Roschon Johnson and backup LG Ryan Bates.
Vikings: RT Brian O’Neill injured his right knee in the first quarter but returned for most of the second half after missing several series. … CB Stephon Gilmore missed his second straight game with a hamstring injury.
next
The Bears host the Lions on Sunday when the Vikings visit the Seahawks.
Associated Press report.
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