Kevin Seifert
Courtney Cronin
Courtney Cronin
ESPN Workers Author
Courtney Cronin joined ESPN in 2017, initially masking the Minnesota Vikings earlier than switching to the Chicago Bears in 2022. Courtney is a frequent panelist on Across the Horn and host of Greatest Week Ever on ESPN Radio. She additionally co-hosts The Chicago Bears Podcast on ESPN 1000. She beforehand labored on the San Jose Mercury Information as a multimedia sports activities journalist.
MINNEAPOLIS — This was the week the Minnesota Vikings arrived. A workforce roundly projected to complete with a shedding document due to a pending quarterback transition has as a substitute put itself within the dialog for one of the best workforce within the NFC. After clinching a playoff spot over the weekend, the Vikings dispatched the Chicago Bears in an intensive 30-12 beating Monday evening at U.S. Financial institution Stadium, sending the Bears to their eighth consecutive defeat.
The Vikings’ victory lifted them to 12-2 and right into a statistical tie with the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles within the convention. The Vikings now have an opportunity to safe the NFC North title by profitable their ultimate three video games. In the event that they do, the No. 1 total seed within the convention will likely be inside their grasp, relying on the Eagles’ efficiency over that interval and the way a number of tiebreakers play out.
The Vikings’ protection held the Bears with out a landing till late within the fourth quarter, after that they had changed lots of their starters. And to reveal how nicely rounded their offense has develop into, the Vikings received speeding touchdowns from tailbacks Aaron Jones and Cam Akers, the primary time they’ve had a couple of landing on the bottom in a sport this season.
QB breakdown: After per week of intense public dialogue about his future, quarterback Sam Darnold had one among his least correct video games of the season. He completed with 16 incompletions, his second most in a sport for the Vikings. It did not assist that receiver Justin Jefferson dropped a positive landing move within the second quarter, however ESPN Analysis credited Darnold with six off-target throws, tied for his second most in a sport in 2024.
Eye-popping stat: In accordance with NFL Subsequent Gen Stats, Jefferson was extra open on his first-quarter landing than he had been on any of the earlier 20 touchdowns he has scored on throws into the top zone. Jefferson had 4 yards of separation from the closest Bears defender on the 7-yard catch.
Troubling development: Proper deal with Brian O’Neill, who in line with Vikings coaches has been having top-of-the-line seasons of his profession, suffered a proper knee damage within the first half and was on and off the sphere for the remainder of the sport. The Vikings struggled to guard Darnold when O’Neill was sidelined, and with left deal with Christian Darrisaw (knee) already out for the season, O’Neill’s ongoing availability seems fairly essential. — Kevin Seifert
Subsequent sport: at Seahawks (4:05 p.m. ET, Sunday)
Per week of guarantees and declarations {that a} sooner begin might be achieved with a shrewder sport plan and higher execution yielded the identical outcome for the Bears.
Chicago’s eighth straight loss revealed an overmatched offense and a protection that continued to permit too many explosive performs.
All the pieces appeared self-inflicted for the Bears, highlighted by their longest drive of the evening — 62 yards — that stalled at Minnesota’s 11-yard line after a speeding landing was wiped away by an unlawful substitution. This listless efficiency is nothing new for Chicago, which faces three playoff groups (Detroit, Seattle and Inexperienced Bay) to finish the season.
QB breakdown: Caleb Williams’ exasperation on the bench after taking a heavy hit within the second half summed up one other irritating efficiency. The rookie averaged 0.6 air yards per try within the first half. The progress Williams had made throughout Chicago’s first run in opposition to its NFC North opponents looks as if it is slipping away after he was astray on 17% of his throws, which is barely beneath his season common (22%).
Troubling development: First-half woes. The Bears went into halftime scoreless for a 3rd straight week after twice turning the ball over on downs, a Williams’ fumble and a punt leading to one other lackluster begin. The Bears have been outscored 53-0 over their previous three first halves, which is the worst by any workforce in a three-game span this season.
Greatest gap within the sport plan: The Bears could not convert on third or fourth downs. The Bears did not convert a 3rd down till 14:35 remained within the fourth quarter and completed 1-of-12. In addition they had been twice stopped on fourth-and-1 with D’Andre Swift working the ball.
Most shocking efficiency: Defensive finish DeMarcus Walker notched 4 pressures, which brings his season complete to a career-high 25. Walker was a vibrant spot for a Bears move rush that was presupposed to be higher this season with Montez Sweat. The Bears gave up a second-round decide for Sweat in 2023 as a result of they weren’t positive there can be a greater edge rusher out there in free company. A kind of gamers they might have gone after — Vikings exterior linebacker Jonathan Greenard — notched his eleventh sack of the season within the first quarter. — Courtney Cronin
Subsequent sport: vs. Lions (1 p.m. ET, Sunday)
