(670 The Score) The Bears did it again Sunday. They came from behind once more, earning a 19-17 victory over the Vikings in Minneapolis on kicker Cairo Santos' game-winning 48-yard field goal as time expired.
The Bears have now won seven of their last eight games, with five of them being come-from-behind victories, including three straight. Here are the observations from a win that lifted the Bears to 7-3.
Finding a way to win
Inside the victorious locker room at U.S. Bank Stadium, Bears head coach Ben Johnson offered a message to his team.
“Man, we have got so much to tighten up,” Johnson said. “I can’t wait to watch this tape with you guys, but it’s going to be after a Victory Monday.”
Johnson is realistic with his Bears. He understands the context of their 7-3 start to the season, and he knows there's still so much work to be done.
The Bears sit atop the NFC North as a first-place team despite playing an inconsistent brand of football. And that’s OK, because it’s only November and there’s a long way to go.
The Bears had another uneven performance Sunday. Their offense sputtered throughout most of the game, recording 320 yards and one touchdown. The defense frustrated second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy and the Vikings until Minnesota's final drive, when it marched 10 plays and 85 yards for a go-ahead touchdown.
For a short time, it seemed like Sunday could be a repeat of the season opener, when the Bears blew an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter of a 27-24 loss to the Vikings. Instead, it was another comeback victory for a Chicago team that just keeps finding a way.
So, is the glass half-full or half-empty for these Bears? As Johnson has indicated, this team is a work in progress. That's a process to embrace and one that carries great hope.
The Bears are still finding their form on offense, which is encouraging to say for a unit that ranks fourth in the NFL in total offense and eighth in scoring offense. On the other side of the ball, the Bears' defense is preparing for the returns of Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson, nickelback Kyler Gordon and linebacker T.J. Edwards in the coming weeks. That group could be a strength down the stretch.
For now, it’s fine to poke holes in the Bears’ place atop the standings. Even their head coach is doing so. Those locker room celebrations are raucous on Sundays, but the film study on Mondays are subdued.
The Bears know well that they have a lot to improve. This is a team still searching for a better brand of football – and winning games while they do.
Byard continues strong season
Prior to kickoff on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium, the Vikings honored Hall of Fame-caliber safety Harrison Smith ahead of his 200th game in the NFL. Smith is a six-time Pro Bowl player who's in his 14th season in the league. He has 37 career interceptions, the most of any active player in the NFL.
So perhaps it was fitting that the player who’s second to Smith in active interceptions came through with another pick Sunday. That would be Bears veteran Kevin Byard, who has an NFL-leading five interceptions on the season. He has 34 picks in his career.
The 32-year-old Byard is playing at an All-Pro level. He showed that by jumping a route on a McCarthy pass and hauling in another pick.
Beyond that, Byard has been a key leader for this Bears team and a tone-setter for their success.
Bears special teams were up and down
There have been plenty of highs and lows for the Bears’ special teams this season. That was the case again Sunday.
Leading 16-3 early in the fourth quarter, the Bears allowed Vikings returner Myles Price to navigate for a 43-yard return to Chicago's 24-yard line. That gave Minnesota life, and it scored a touchdown two plays later.
On the ensuing drive for the Bears, Santos missed a 45-yard field-goal attempt that would’ve given Chicago a nine-point lead and probably put the game out of reach.
But the Bears’ special teams redeemed itself when it mattered most, using excellent blocking to create a seam to the right as returner Devin Duvernay had a 56-yard kick return to the Vikings’ 40-yard line in the final minute, helping set up Santos' winning field goal.
Williams didn’t need to lead a comeback drive himself this time. The Bears got in range for Santos’ game-winner by using the kick return and then the running game.
Minnesota’s quarterback concern
The NFC North is stacked once again. Three teams from the division made the playoffs in 2024, and that may be the case again.
But this time, it's the Vikings instead of the Bears that look to be the outlier that will be sitting at home during the playoffs. Minnesota is 4-6 and has concerns at quarterback. The Vikings allowed former starter Sam Darnold to walk in free agency this past offseason, paving the way for McCarthy to start.
The No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, McCarthy is scuffling. He has completed 52.9% of his passes for 842 yards, six touchdowns and eight interceptions in five games. His 61.7 quarterback rating is last in the NFL among those who have attempted at least 20 passes this season.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell once said that bad franchises often fail quarterbacks more than bad quarterbacks fail franchises. There may be an exception here. Minnesota is a great organization that has a quarterback who isn't getting the job done.
The Vikings let a solid starter in Darnold walk. They may soon be looking for a new starter if McCarthy continues to falter.
Extra points
--- It’s strange to throw bouquets following a 15-yard loss and botched handoff, but Bears receiver Rome Odunze deserves credit for hustling to recover a fumble at Chicago's 10-yard line that could've been a scoop-and-score touchdown for Minnesota late in the first quarter. Odunze then hauled in a 24-yard completion on the next play. That proved to be game-saving effort to get on the football.
--- Bears cornerback Nahshon Wright honored the late John Beam, his college coach, after making an outstanding interception in the end zone late in the second quarter. The former Laney College football coach was tragically shot and killed in Oakland last week, and he was a mentor of Wright's. Released by the Vikings in April, Wright is having a breakout season with the Bears, making four interceptions.
--- Bears running back D’Andre Swift had an unheralded 90 yards on 21 carries Sunday. He was an efficient rusher who helped pace drives as the Bears controlled the clock.
--- Veteran tight end Cole Kmet showcased tough running with the football, hauling in a team-best five receptions on the day.
--- After having three drops a week prior, veteran receiver Olamide Zaccheaus played just 10 snaps on offense Sunday. He wasn't targeted at all. Meanwhile, rookie receiver Luther Burden III played 33 snaps in an expanded role. Expect that trend to continue.
--- On Santos’ game-winning field goal, it looked like holder Tory Taylor struggled to get the hold down in proper position initially, but he got the job done and Santos booted it through.
--- If the season ended Sunday, the Bears would host the Packers at Soldier Field in the NFC wild-card round.
--- This is quite a season unfolding in Chicago.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.