Minnesota Vikings (6-6) – Chicago Bears (4-8): 10-12
A winner was needed Monday evening. And it wasn’t a good game. The Bears defense massacred Joshua Dobbs (22/32, 185 yards, 1 TD, 4 int), author of too many bad decisions. Minnesota has completely stalled.
With an attack that was at least decent, it would have been a no-brainer for Chicago. Except that the squad led by Justin Fields (27/37, 217 yards) didn’t achieve anything either. Not helped by an overwhelmed offensive line, the quarterback spent most of his time throwing screen passes.
It finally took the 59th minute to see a 36-yard lightning bolt cuts through the air to reach DJ Moore’s arms (11 rec, 114 yards). Enough to put Cairo Santos in position for the winning field goal. A 30-yard success 10 seconds from the buzzer to give the Bears a success.
Joshua Dobbs and the Vikings in Hell
Still deprived of Justin Jefferson, the Vikings still approached the match as the favorite. The truth on the ground quickly turned out to be very different. Intercepted on two of his first three possessions, Joshua Dobbs kept the ball too long and suffered pressure from Montez Sweat (1.5 sacks, 6 pressures) and Chicago. When Minnesota advances, it’s intercepted. Otherwise, it’s a bit. We had to wait until the last action of the first half to see the purple score, and it was on a kick which brought the score to 3-3.
Because the Bears did not do better. A missed kick, another successful one, then three punts. The first half is dull.
A touchdown could have been enough
The start of the second period continues with the same sequence of incompetence. The Vikings fail on fourth attempt, before two more interceptions! The Bears scored twice on the kick to pull away 9-3.
But Chicago and Fields decide to invite themselves to the party of lost balloons! The quarterback drops a fumble, and Minnesota finally gets back on track! A 77-yard offensive, the longest of the evening, allows TJ Hockenson (5 rec, 50 yards, 1 TD) to enter the end zone (10-9). Finally ! The Purples get ahead, and they seem to have things in hand when Fields loses a second fumble.
Except that Dobbs and his attack stall again. They even lose yards. With 2mn29 left, Chicago has one last possession. Surprise, the attack advances. Fields finally finds Moore deep, and Santos’ winning kick delivers the Bears.
A victory for the honor of the Bears. As for the Vikings, the enthusiasm of Joshua Dobbs’ debut continues to wane with a second defeat in a row.
