MINNEAPOLIS (670 The Score) – The Bears could’ve folded following their heartbreaking loss to the Lions on Nov. 19, but they arrived at U.S. Bank Stadium on Monday night ready to respond.
The Bears (4-8) pulled through late to earn a 12-10 victory over the Vikings (6-6) in an effort that was led by a defense that forced four turnovers. After his defense gave him a chance in the final minutes, quarterback Justin Fields led the Bears on a go-ahead drive that culminated with kicker Cairo Santos booting the game-winning 30-yard field goal with 10 seconds left.
It was only fitting that the Bears’ defense produced one more stop on the Vikings’ final lateral-filled play, sealing a victory led by its strong performance.
"No matter what happened today, I just thought we did a great job of staying together as a team and finding a way to come out of here with win,” linebacker T.J. Edwards said. “There was no quit. There was no way we weren't coming out of here with a win just with everything we've been through."
Edwards had one of the Bears’ four interceptions of Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs. Cornerback Jaylon Johnson, cornerback Kyler Gordon and safety Jaquan Brisker each added picks as well.
Monday marked the second consecutive game in which the Bears forced four turnovers. This time, it came in a winning effort.
In a heartbreaking 31-26 loss to the Lions eight days prior, the Bears had squandered a 12-point lead in the final 4:15. It was a devastating day for a team that has struggled to close out games when it has had a chance to win.
The Bears showcased progress in earning this victory, with head coach Matt Eberflus’ defensive identity on display for a primetime audience. The Bears allowed only 242 yards of offense and registered two sacks while pressuring Dobbs all evening.
“It’s just coming together,” Eberflus said.
Trailing 9-3, the Vikings produced an eight-play, 77-yard touchdown drive that was capped off by Dobbs hitting tight end T.J. Hockenson for a 17-yard touchdown with 5:54 remaining in the game. The ensuing extra point gave the Vikings a 10-9 lead, and the Bears were back in the familiar territory of playing from behind.
Fields put the Bears in peril with a pair of fumbles in the fourth quarter, the second of which came with 3:36 left and gave the Vikings the chance to run the clock out. But the Bears defense came up big again by forcing a three-and-out, and Fields responded by leading a 10-play, 66-yard scoring drive that was highlighted by a 36-yard strike to top receiver DJ Moore.
Santos stepped up with the clock counting down to 10 seconds and hit the go-ahead field goal. Afterward, the Bears savored their winning response.
“We came out after last week and we wanted to do the same thing but just stick the knife in them,” safety Eddie Jackson said.
“We’re going out there, we’re doing a great job executing and we’re taking the ball. We’re creating turnovers. And that’s the biggest thing.”
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.