The Bears didn’t make it easy on themselves — of course they didn’t — but they did enough to secure a 21-13 victory vs. the visiting Vikings on Sunday at Soldier Field.
The Bears’ offense controlled the game, racking up 468 yards in nearly 39 minutes of possession and converting 10-of-17 third downs. Quarterback Jay Cutler completed 31-of-43 passes for 330 yards and three TDs, with wideout Alshon Jeffery tallying 11 catches and 135 yards and one score and Brandon Marshall hauling in seven passes for 90 yards and two scores for Chicago (4-6).
However, for as well as the Bears played, they left points on the field. A 4th-and-goal sweep by Cutler off left end at the Minnesota 1 ended with the quarterback being held short of the goal line.The Bears also missed a first-quarter field goal, and Cutler was picked twice.
In the end, the Vikings had a chance to tie the game in the final moments, but Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater’s heave into the endzone was intercepted by safety Ryan Mundy, securing victory for Chicago.
The Vikings scored the game’s first 10 points, but the Bears’ offense soon got into gear. The Vikings had trouble with Marshall and Jeffery all day, and Marshall’s 44-yard TD catch with 2:49 left in the first half gave the Bears a 14-10 lead, an edge they would not relinquish.
Bridgewater completed 18-of-28 passes for 156 yards with a touchdown and an interception for Minnesota, which fell to 4-6. His top target was wideout Charles Johnson, who hauled in six passes for 87 yards.
Tailback Matt Forte added 117 yards on 26 carries for the Bears, who host Tampa Bay next week. The Vikings host Green Bay.