The Bears (7-7), who entered the afternoon one sport behind Arizona for the brand new third wild-card spot within the NFC, by no means trailed.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — David Montgomery rushed for a career-high 146 yards and two touchdowns because the Chicago Bears trampled Minnesota’s depleted protection and held on for a 33-27 victory on Sunday to remain within the hunt for the expanded playoffs.
The Bears (7-7), who entered the afternoon one sport behind Arizona for the brand new third wild-card spot within the NFC, by no means trailed in profitable at Minnesota for a 3rd straight yr. Coach Matt Nagy improved to 5-1 in opposition to the Vikings (6-8), whose postseason probabilities all however vanished.
Chicago punted solely as soon as, on the opening possession. It did nearly no matter it needed with the ball till Cameron Dantzler intercepted Mitch Trubisky’s third-and-goal go right into a crowd ultimately zone with 2:57 left and a 30-27 lead.
However the Bears, who have been lots weak on protection themselves, delivered their second fourth-and-1 cease in Minnesota territory to get the ball proper again for a subject purpose.
Dalvin Cook dinner rushed for 132 yards and a rating, however he was stuffed on third-and-1 earlier than a pivotal incompletion by Kirk Cousins throwing off his again foot. Cairo Santos, who transformed all 4 of his kicks, stretched his streak to 22 straight subject targets made.
The Bears then intercepted a last-snap heave by Cousins into the tip zone to drop the Vikings to 3-5 at dwelling this yr. Cousins linked with tight finish Tyler Conklin for his first profession landing catch, a 20-yard rating off a play-action rollout that pulled the Vikings inside three factors with 8:05 remaining.
Justin Jefferson had eight receptions for 104 yards and set the single-season franchise rookie document held by Randy Moss with 73 catches and counting. However regular strain on Cousins produced too many quick completions — or worse — for the Vikings to catch up.
When the Vikings beat them 19-13 5 weeks in the past in Chicago, the Bears managed two first-half subject targets and wanted a kickoff return landing by Cordarrelle Patterson to remain aggressive. That was offensive coordinator Invoice Lazor’s first flip because the play caller, after Nagy relinquished the accountability in quest of a spark.
However regardless of dropping twice extra to stretch their streak to 6 straight defeats, the offense discovered a better gear. Trubisky settled again in at quarterback following the damage to Nick Foles. Left deal with Charles Leno Jr. was the one offensive lineman in the identical place as within the earlier assembly, when Montgomery was out with a concussion.
The Vikings performed with out star linebacker Eric Kendricks for the third straight sport, making use of little strain on Trubisky and lacking Montgomery typically on their first-attempt tackles.
BAILEY RECOVERS
After lacking three additional factors and 4 subject targets over the earlier two video games and almost dropping his job, Dan Bailey was excellent for the Vikings on three additional factors and two subject targets.
INJURY REPORT
Bears: Patterson (knee) was damage within the second quarter however returned after lacking one kickoff return. … Backup TE Demetrius Harris (ankle) was injured on the punt protection crew within the second quarter.
Vikings: LB Troy Dye departed within the third quarter for concussion analysis. DT Armon Watts limped off with a decrease leg damage within the fourth quarter.
UP NEXT
Bears: play at Jacksonville subsequent Sunday.
Vikings: play at New Orleans on Friday.
