Vikings Vs Bears: Chicago Falls Again, Marking Their 8th Straight Loss

MINNEAPOLIS — This was supposed to be a transition year for the Minnesota Vikings—a season of uncertainty with a new quarterback at the helm. Instead, they’ve turned into one of the NFC’s best teams. In Monday night’s Vikings vs Bears matchup, Minnesota rolled over Chicago 30-12, clinching their 12th win and showing exactly why they’re serious playoff contenders.

Meanwhile, the Bears are a team that just can’t seem to get out of their own way, losing for the eighth straight time and looking every bit as lost as their record (4-10) suggests.

Vikings Are Rolling

From the opening kickoff, the Vikings looked in control. Their defense was dominant, holding the Bears without a touchdown until garbage time in the fourth quarter. On offense, Minnesota did something they hadn’t all year: score two rushing touchdowns in a single game. Running backs Aaron Jones and Cam Akers took turns finding the end zone, proving the Vikings don’t need to rely on their passing game alone.

Wide receiver Justin Jefferson had a solid night, finishing with 7 catches for 73 yards and a touchdown. What stood out the most? On his first-quarter score, Jefferson was wide open, with 4 yards of separation—his easiest touchdown of the season, according to Next Gen Stats.

A Mixed Night for Sam Darnold

It wasn’t all perfect for the Vikings. Quarterback Sam Darnold had a rough outing by his standards. He missed 16 passes—his second-highest total this season—and even ESPN credited him with six “off-target” throws. That said, he didn’t need to be perfect. The Vikings’ defense and running game did more than enough to carry the team to victory.

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The bigger concern moving forward? Injuries. Right tackle Brian O’Neill left the game with a knee issue, forcing the Vikings to shuffle their offensive line. With left tackle Christian Darrisaw already out for the season, Minnesota’s ability to protect Darnold could become a major issue as they head into the playoffs.

The Vikings now stand at 12-2 and have a chance to lock up the NFC North title with a strong finish. If they win their final three games, they’ll have a shot at the No. 1 seed in the conference—depending on what happens with the Eagles and Lions. Next up: a tough road game against the Seattle Seahawks.

Source: Vikings dominate, hand Bears 8th straight loss

The Bears Keep Spiraling

For the Chicago Bears, it’s the same story, different week. A team that’s talked about “starting fast” and “executing better” once again fell apart early, finishing the first half scoreless for the third straight game. The Bears have now been outscored 53-0 in their last three first halves, a stat that perfectly sums up their struggles this season.

Caleb Williams’ Tough Night

Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams had little to smile about. His frustration boiled over on the sidelines after taking a big hit in the second half, and it was hard to blame him. Williams spent most of the night throwing short, finishing the first half averaging just 0.6 air yards per pass attempt—a clear sign the Bears’ offense was playing it too safe.

He ended the game completing 18 of 31 passes for 191 yards and one touchdown, but his overall play felt shaky. He missed on 17% of his throws—better than his season average (22%)—but still not good enough to keep the Bears competitive.

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Vikings vs Bears: Chicago Falls Again, Marking Their 8th Straight Loss

Self-Inflicted Wounds

The Bears’ biggest problems were of their own making.

Failed Opportunities: Chicago converted just 1-of-12 third downs all night. Even worse, they blew two critical fourth-and-1 plays, both times handing the ball to running back D’Andre Swift, only to come up short.
Penalties and Mistakes: Chicago’s longest drive of the game—a 62-yarder—ended in disappointment after a rushing touchdown was erased by an illegal substitution penalty.

The Bears’ defense, which was supposed to be a strength this season, had a few bright spots. Defensive end DeMarcus Walker had a standout performance with four pressures, bringing his season total to a career-best 25. Unfortunately, one player can’t carry an entire unit, and the Bears still allowed too many big plays.

To make matters worse, the Vikings’ Jonathan Greenard, a player the Bears could’ve pursued instead of trading for Montez Sweat, added insult to injury with his 11th sack of the season.

Up Next: Vikings Eye Division Title, Bears Fight to Stop the Bleeding

The Vikings (12-2) will face the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, looking to stay hot as they push toward the NFC North crown.

The Bears (4-10), meanwhile, return to Soldier Field to face the Detroit Lions—a team that’s fighting for playoff positioning. Given the Bears’ current form, it’ll be a tough challenge to avoid a ninth straight loss.