The Minnesota Vikings capitalized on a misplayed punt return by DeAndre Carter, recovering the ball and scoring shortly after on a touchdown run by Aaron Jones.
In a thrilling matchup against the Chicago Bears, Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold was prepared to simply kneel as they anticipated recovering an onside kick late in regulation. However, the game turned out to be more complex, ultimately leading to a 30-27 victory for Minnesota in overtime. Darnold excelled, passing for 330 yards, including 90 in the crucial overtime period, which set the stage for Parker Romo’s game-winning 29-yard field goal.
“I was expecting to recover the onside kick and just take some knees,” Darnold commented. He acknowledged the pressure but expressed confidence in his team’s ability to execute well when it mattered most.
Darnold threw two touchdown passes, while standout performances came from Jordan Addison, who caught eight passes for a career-best 162 yards, and T.J. Hockenson, who added 114 receiving yards. The Vikings improved their record to 9-2, remaining just one game behind Detroit in the challenging NFC North.
Despite the loss, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams demonstrated resilience, throwing for 340 yards and two touchdowns. However, Chicago’s struggles continued, marking their fifth consecutive defeat, with three losses coming by a narrow margin. Williams noted, “I think we got better in all phases,” highlighting a growing confidence within the Bears’ offense.
The Bears nearly snatched victory from defeat, rallying late to tie the game after initially trailing 27-16. A remarkable 55-yard kickoff return by Carter helped set up a late touchdown and a successful 2-point conversion, which pulled them within three points. They managed to recover the onside kick and tie the game with a field goal as time expired.
In overtime, despite losing the coin toss, the Vikings’ defense stepped up, leading to a quick three-and-out for Chicago. Darnold took charge of the subsequent drive, overcoming an early setback to ultimately connect with Hockenson for a key gain that set up the final field goal.
“This group is a special group,” head coach Kevin O’Connell stated, praising his players for their ability to overcome adversity to secure a hard-fought road victory.
In addition to Darnold’s impressive passing, Aaron Jones contributed significantly on the ground with 106 rushing yards and a touchdown. On the Bears’ side, Williams impressed, reflecting growth in his gameplay with a solid passer rating.
Both teams faced injury challenges, with Vikings players Ivan Pace Jr. (hamstring) and Cam Robinson (foot) leaving the game early.
Looking ahead, the Vikings will host the Arizona Cardinals next Sunday, while the Bears will visit the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day.
Overall, this match showcased determination and resilience from both teams, setting the stage for exciting upcoming games for both the Vikings and Bears as they strive to improve their standings.