The Chicago Bears finally emerged victorious in a hard-fought game after going through a numerous heartbreaking losses. Despite missing his first attempt, Cairo Santos managed to make a crucial 30-yard field goal with 10 seconds remaining, marking his fourth successful kick of the game.
In a defensive battle, the Bears tackles Minnesota quarterback Joshua Dobbs four times, leading to a narrow 12-10 triumph. Bears quarterback Justin Fields, despite losing two grope in the fourth quarter, showcased resilience and determination. He completed a crucial 36-yard pass to D.J. Moore on a third-and-10 play, setting up Santos' game-winning kick with just 55 seconds left. The Bears break their 12-game losing streak in the NFC North, including a previous six-game losing streak against the Vikings.
He returned to the game with confidence of a true leader, showcasing the skills of a promising young quarterback. Despite facing adversity, he ignored the distractions and delivered a crucial throw, said Moore, who had an impressive performance with 11 receptions for 114 yards.
Selected to play safe, the Vikings made the cautious decision to rest their star wide receiver, Justin Jefferson, who was still nursing a hamstring injury. However, their offense continued to struggle, with only a field goal by Greg Joseph right before halftime as their sole accomplishment for the majority of the game. Dobbs managed to seize the lead by connecting with T.J. Hockenson for a touchdown with 5:54 remaining, but the Vikings faltered once again at the most crucial moment.
Following Fields' impressive first down run, Josh Metellus forcefully knocked the ball loose, and Anthony Barr was able to recover it at the Chicago 43. The Vikings attempted to make ground with their running game but achieved no gain and only 1 yard before losing a yard on a screen pass. To make matters worse, Ryan Wright's punt sailed out of bounds, resulting in a meager 26-yard net distance. Consequently, the Bears gained possession at their own 22-yard line instead of being pinned deep, and the clock barely ticked down by 59 seconds.
Last week, the Bears suffered a disappointing loss to Detroit after throw away
a 12-point lead with three minutes remaining. However, in their latest game, they managed to force four turnovers for the second consecutive match. Jaylon Johnson, Jaquan Brisker, T.J. Edwards, and Kyler Gordon all made interceptions, three of which were off deflected balls.
Dobbs, the team's quarterback, recognizes the crucial role turnovers play in determining the outcome of a game. He takes responsibility for taking care of the football and making good decisions. Regardless of what happens on the receiving end, Dobbs aims to deliver accurate passes and read the coverage effectively. He acknowledges his frustration with himself but remains determined to improve.
During the game, Gordon made a remarkable diving catch to secure possession for the Bears at the Minnesota 38-yard line. However, their momentum was short-lived as Danielle Hunter, who had previously injured the Bears' quarterback, dislodged the ball during a sack. Sheldon Day was quick to recover the fumble at the Minnesota 23-yard line.
The Vikings managed to make their second drive of more than 30 yards all game in just eight plays, going in the opposite direction. This put the Bears at risk of experiencing yet another late collapse. However, according to Sportradar, the Bears became only the third team in the last 20 years to win a game without scoring a touchdown, committing multiple turnovers, and accumulating over 50 penalty yards.
Bears safety Eddie Jackson praised the defense, describing their performance as "lights out." He acknowledged the need for improvement in finishing plays.
Dobbs, who had previously led the Vikings to two victories after Kirk Cousins' injury, struggled to find his rhythm in the last two games.
