Chicago Bears Staying Hot, Overcome Vikings 25-20 in SNF

The Bears are back. After years of waiting they have a team which could finally make some noise in the NFL. Last night’s game against their divisional rivals, is the ultimate proof for that.

With this victory, Chicago found themselves on the top of the NFC North division with a 7-3 record. Now that is something we haven’t seen in a while.

Khalil Mack was one of the guys who needs to be credited for this triumph. The newcomer from Oakland recovered a fumble, forced one, sacked Kirk Cousins once, and made a huge pressure on Vikings offensive line.

“It’s been amazing. The situation has been tremendous for me, having guys that understand the defense and me coming in and having an understanding as well. You’ve seen the results game in and game out.”Mack said.

However, one of the best defenders in the league, is pointing a finger towards his coach when speaking about the ones who made this win possible.

“He’s an evil genius.” he told the reporters for coach Nagy, “The guy knows the game in and out, and he knows his players, and ultimately he wants the best for us out there on the field, so he puts us in positions to make plays.”

And really, Matt Nagy managed to improve all the critical areas in Chicago, or at least compensate them with some other aspects of the game. For example, Mitch Trubisky is still oscillating a lot, and the second-year quarterback has many things to learn, which we saw last night. He had only 165 yards, having 20 passes completed in 31 attempts, for one TD, and two interceptions. Trubisky is still inexperienced to handle tough defenses on his own.

There was one other guy who had been criticized a lot, but who emerged as a hero of Bears’ win last night. Cody Parker sealed the victory with a 48-yard field goal, 2:48 minutes before the end. It was 25-14 at that moment, and the hosts had a two-possession lead.

Last week, Parker missed four kicks, two for conversions and two field goals.

The Vikings had their chances to win, despite being 14 points behind at the break. Two consecutive 36-yard field goals Dan Bailey made brought them to 14-6. But Cousins’ pass towards Laquon Treadwell was intercepted by Eddie Jackson who made a 27-yard TD return. Nagy decided to go for a two-point conversion, which went successfully, and the Bears were up 22-6.

So many feelings… so so many.#MINvsCHI | #DaBears https://t.co/shShkeCSci

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) November 19, 2018

Minnesota managed to score one TD after that, with 4:51 until the end, when Cousins threw the ball to Aldrick Robinson for a 13-yard catch. After that came a two-point conversion from Cousins to Thielen, but that wasn’t enough, because of Parker’s field goal.

Cousins finished the match with 262 yards, 30/46, 2 touchdown passes and 2 interceptions. He looked very uncertain while making decisions, which eventually led to several mistakes. In the end, they cost Vikings dearly.

After the game, he admitted that the Bears defense did a good job keeping him and his teammates restrained.

“They weren’t necessarily getting a sack, but they were affecting my arm.” Cousins said.

Clutch City.#MINvsCHI | #DaBears https://t.co/yA3zQQawbu

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) November 19, 2018

And really, Bears defense is the cornerstone of all their wins this season. At the moment they are the third overall defense in the NFL with 314.4 yards per game. When analyzing that more thoroughly we will see next things. Chicago is the fourth in allowing points 19.5, fourth in sacks with 32, and they are tying the first place with forced fumbles 15.

The next big challenge for them is next Thursday, in prime time, when they travel to Detroit, to meet the divisional rivals the Lions. With a win in this one, the Bears would be in a solid position to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2013. After that, they go to New York to play against the Yankees.

Minnesota hosts the Green Bay Packers in a defining match of the season for both sides. Whoever wins here will remain in the playoff picture. These two teams played 29-29 in the game at Lambeau earlier this season.