Another Heartbreaker: Bears lose to Vikings in overtime |
CHICAGO - The Chicago Bears (4-7) can't buy a win right now, as their losing streak has reached a season-worst five games. Whether it be a failed hail mary attempt, a blocked field goal, or, in this game, the Minnesota Vikings (9-2) kicking a field goal in overtime, this team finds new ways to lose every week as the Vikings picked up a 30-27 overtime win.
This was one of those games that saw the Bears down by 11 late in the fourth, only to have a series of luck go their way, including the first onside kick recovery of the season that put Chicago in a position to tie things up. One throw from Caleb Williams (340 yards) to DJ Moore (106 yards) and the Bears were set up in field goal range where Cairo Santos came through with a massive 49 yarder to send the game into overtime. Considering that Santos had another field goal blocked in the first half and DeAndre Carter muffing a punt which led to a Viking score, Chicago was very fortunate to be in this game at any point as the Vikings did what they could to lose this one. From the start, you get a sense of how things would go for either side as Aaron Jones comes out firing with two first-down runs, including one for 41 yards, which brings the ball inside the Bears' five. Two plays later, the Bears defense came away with a massive stop. Jones put the ball on the ground, and Jonathan Owens recovered the ball from his former teammate. With the defense doing their part to make life difficult for the Vikings, it was up to the offense to do the same, and after a pair of punts on their first two possessions, the Chicago offense finally started to get rolling. Keenan Allen played a big role as he hauled in a 40-yard pass to set the offense up and finished the day with 86 yards for his first game of the season over 50 yards. Several plays later and it was Roschon Johnson picking up a one-yard touchdown as the Bears took a first quarter lead for the first time all season 7-0. That lead didn't last long as the Vikings didn't waste any time with Sam Darnold finding Jordan Addison for 45 yards before finding him again for the two-yard TD to tie things up seconds into the second quarter. Darnold got off to a slow start before topping 300 yards for the first time this season, while Addison had a career-best day and picked up the slack, with Justin Jefferson being held to just two catches. For the Bears offense to be at their best, they will need Allen to start making plays, and after picking up a 25-yard gain to move the chains, the Chicago offense was in business. Four plays later, it looked as if Allen made another incredible catch on the sidelines, only to have a replay review overturn the call, resulting in a field goal attempt of 48 yards. For the most part, Santos has been money from under 50 yards, but after watching Jerry Tillery come through for the block, it makes two consecutive field goal tries from Santos blocked. That block would come back to haunt the Bears later in the game as the Vikings offense went right back to work with Jaylon Johnson being called for pass interference which took away an interception of Darnold. Two plays later, Darnold capped off the drive with his second TD of the game as Jaylen Nailor pulled in the short pass and broke the plane of the goalline to give the Vikings a 14-7 lead before Chicago pulled within 14-10 at the half. In a very eventful first half, the Vikings didn't waste any time getting things going in the second half as Darnold found Addison over the middle. As he did the rest for 69 yards to move the ball inside the 10. The Bears defense answered with a massive DeMarcus Walker sack to kill the drive, but with Romo connecting on a 40-yard field it was the Vikings in front 17-10. Minnesota wasn't the only team capable of making big plays, as Chicago responded with a 33-yard screen play to Moore to set the Bears' offense up. That makes two consecutive games where the Bears' offense has looked vastly improved, as Thomas Brown is doing his best to turn things around. As good as that passing play was, the Bears' offense stalled out, as they elected to go for it on fourth down only to come up empty. That was just one of the many mistakes the Bears made throughout the first three quarters, but the biggest mistake came on what looked to be a harmless punt, only to have the ball bounce off Carter's thigh, resulting in a turnover at the Bears 15. Minnesota knew what to do from there as Jones used his legs to pick up a first down before finishing the drive from two yards out as he, become the first Vikings RB to score a second-half rushing TD in 27 games. As the fourth quarter got underway, the Vikings not only had the ball in Bears territory but were also looking for the knockout blow, electing to go for it on fourth down. Darnold appeared to deliver a perfectly thrown ball to TJ Hockenson over the middle, but the TE wasn't able to hang onto it, resulting in a turnover on downs. It was the break the Bears needed as momentum started to shift in their favor. Despite the rushing attack generating next to nothing on the ground, Williams's legs extended several plays while his arm made things happen when it mattered. That included another perfectly designed screen play to Moore, who followed his blockers for the touchdown only to see the two-point try come up short. Trailing 27-16 late in the game after Romo banged home another field goal, it was up to the Bears offense to keep things close. Following a great return from Carter to move the ball near midfield, the Williams/Rome Odunze combo started to take shape as a pair of receptions kept the chains moving. Throw in another first down to Cole Kmet ahead of the one yard TD pass to Johnson and the Bears were within 27-22 before pulling with in three on the two point try. That was the first TD pass for Williams in his last five games, but he also went five games without a turnover. Needing to recover an onside kick to give the Bears offense a chance, it was the Vikings turn for a crucial miscue as Jonny Mundt lost track of where the ball was, resulting in it hitting his foot and having the Bears fall on it. One play later, Williams found Moore wide open over the middle for a 27-yard gain, setting things up for another Santos try. Knowing what happened last week to end the game and what happened in the first half, this was a nervous situation for all involved, but this time, it was Santos coming away clutch and helping send the game into overtime. After the Bears won the toss, they elected to receive in hopes of continuing the momentum. Unfortunately for them, the Vikings had other ideas. Jonathan Greenard came through with his second sack of the game, which helped force another Torrey Taylor punt. With the ball in their hands and a chance to put the game away, Darnold continued to find his go-to man, finding Addison for a 13-yard first down early in the drive. Two plays later, Darnold finally hooked up with Jefferson for 20 yards, and the Vikings had the ball near midfield. Needing roughly 15 yards to attempt a field goal, Darnold had other ideas as he found Hockenson for a 12-yard gain before finding him again for 29 yards and moving the ball inside the Bears 10. That would be all the Vikings offense would need as Romo strutted back out to attempt his third field goal and banged it home to lift the Vikings to a 30-27 OT win. "I have to do a better job setting the defense up for success." "We fought all the way to the end, and that's definitely encouraging." "We're losing in the most unreal situations ... the luck got to go in our favor at some point." "That's on me. I let the team down today." "We're right there, but being right there just isn't good enough at the moment." Caleb. Williams. 👏 pic.twitter.com/GPPUUmmG4m
Matt Eberflus on the Bears' overtime defense. pic.twitter.com/wVteyI9sNw
Caleb Williams was happy with the fight the Bears showed in today's loss. pic.twitter.com/bAze7m852x
DJ Moore on the Bears' recent losses. pic.twitter.com/a7WYwcNdrG
DeAndre Carter on the muffed punt in today's loss. pic.twitter.com/igQAeXAVuf
The Bears have lost back-to-back games by a combined 4 points. pic.twitter.com/aDeWh1HhOj
