MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (WGN) — The discombobulated Bears bumbled and stumbled on offense all night long as the Minnesota Vikings walked away from Allegiant Stadium Monday night with a comfortable victory over their NFC North division rival.
Here's how the game played out.
Game Recap
The Bears got off to their usual slow start that's been a reoccurring theme throughout the 2024 regular season.
Chicago was stuffed on a questionable fourth-and-one call on the game's opening drive before the Vikings added a 52-yard field goal from Will Reichard, and a 7-yard TD pass from Sam Darnold to Justin Jefferson to round out first quarter scoring and give Minnesota a 10-0 lead.
The Bears have now been outscored 73-20 in the first quarter this season, and 27-0 over their last three games.
Reichard added a 31-yard field goal with four seconds to go in the second quarter to make the game 13-0 Vikings heading into halftime.
According to Underdog Fantasy, Monday night was the fifth time Chicago has been shutout in the first half this season. No other NFL team has been shut out in the first half more than three times.
Chicago would have scored their first touchdown of the game midway through the third quarter had it not been for Doug Kramer forgetting to report as eligible right before a 1-yard TD run by D'Andre Swift.
Two plays later, Kiran Amegadjie was called for offensive holding to further derail the drive, and the Bears added a 29-yard field goal from Cairo Santos instead of a touchdown at the 7:02 mark in the third.
A similar situation unfolded as the game transitioned into the fourth quarter.
After Caleb Williams scrambled and hit Keenan Allen for a miraculous toe-tap catch for 20 yards along the right sideline, Chicago had first-and-10 at the Minnesota 16-yard line.
Swift was stuffed for no gain, and then a Williams pass intended for Odunze sailed over his head through the end zone. Next, Amegadjie was called for a false start and ineligible man downfield on back-to-back third-down plays before Santos hit a 39-yard field goal to make it a 20-6 ballgame.
The Vikings added a 1-yard Cam Akers TD run, Williams added a garbage time TD pass to Allen, and Reichard hit another field goal to bring the game to its final score, 30-12.
Williams finished the game 18-for-31 with 191 yards passing and one TD pass. Allen led all Bears receivers with six catches for 82 yards and a touchdown.
Minnesota clinched a playoff berth with the win and is now 12-2. With the loss, Chicago has dropped eight in a row and is now 4-10 on the season.
Up Next
The Chicago Bears take on the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field next Sunday, Dec. 22. Kickoff is set for noon CT.