Bears stun Vikings

by Chris Bearman

Blogger, Chicago Tribune

The Chicago Bears are not the most talented team on paper in the GFML. However, coach Bob Winuvas is getting everything he can out of this unit, particularly on defense. He is also proving to motivate the team well on the road, as the Bears scored their second road victory under Coach Winuvas in a 27-17 win over the Minnesota Vikings.

The game started out as a defensive struggle, with both teams feeling the other out. The first (and only) turnover of the game came with just under 8 minutes on the clock in the first quarter, as cornerback Kyle Wilson picked off Vikings' quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. It did not result in any points, however, and that highlight was the lone exciting play of the first quarter.

The second quarter saw some push, as the Bears began to assert some offensive moxie and get drives put together. As Andy Dalton began to get on point with his receivers, the run game opened up, and Reynaldo Ball scored from 2 yards out to open the scoring at 7-0.

A quick drive by the Vikings got the Bears back onto the field, and Dalton would cash in a big play, hitting Kevin White on a post play for a 56 yard touchdown strike and a 14-0 lead.

Late in the first half, the Vikings would put together a solid drive culminating in a 50 yard field goal by Blair Walsh with just over a minute left. Dalton would engineer a beautiful one minute drive, with the big play set up again by halfback Reynaldo Ball, who scampered 29 yards to get the team within range for a Marquette King field goal of 31 yards and a 17-7 halftime lead.

The Vikings would find a big play quick in the second half. On their first offensive play from scrimmage, Bridgewater would see a hole in the defense and changed the play to put receiver Randall Cobb in one-on-one against cornerback Patrick Robinson.

Robinson had no chance. 77 yards later, the Vikings shortened the lead to 17-10.

Coach Winuvas implored his offense to take control of the game. And they did.

Andy Dalton would not miss a pass in the second half, and would help set up a 14 play, 78 yard drive that ended with a sweet 12 yard pass in solid coverage to Ryan Grant to extend the Bears' lead to 24-10.

"We needed that drive worse than anything. Andy (Dalton) was on point and our guys made plays for him," Coach Winuvas said of the drive.

The Vikings would not just lay down, however, and would mount a drive of their own midway through the 4th quarter. The drive ended with 7 points, as Adrian Peterson hammered through the line for a 3 yard run.

The Bears' offense would again answer the bell, mounting a solid four minute drive which ended with a 40 yard field goal from King, making it a 2 score game with just under 2 minutes to play.

The Vikings would valiantly try to drive down, but a failed 4th down play (a knocked-down pass by linebacker Jon Bostic) would end the Vikings' hopes.

For the Bears, Andy Dalton was electric, completing 21 of 27 passes for 227 yards and 2 touchdowns to go with no interceptions. Reynaldo Ball led the running attack with 18 carries for 70 yards and a touchdown. The receivers were led yardage wise by Kevin White (3/73/1 TD), but Ryan Grant had a breakout game (5/68/1 TD) as well as Alshon Jeffery (6/44). Defensively, Josh Wilson had an interception, while rookie free agent linebacker LeKambrick Moss led the Bears with 3 tackles (tied with safety Kam Chancellor).

For the Vikings, Teddy Bridgewater had a day he's soon forget about, going 14 of 27 for 272 yards and a touchdown to go with a pick. The running attack was non existent, as Adrian "All Day" Peterson was held to 7 carries for 20 yards (he did have a touchdown, however). The long run of the day - a 17 yard scramble by Teddy Bridgewater late. The receivers were led by Randall Cobb, who had 3 catches for 91 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, linebacker Anthony Barr had 3 tackles and a sack on the day.

"The Vikings had a solid gameplan on both sides of the ball. We just executed better than they did. That's a testament to guys buying into our vision and seeing what we are trying to do here. It was a statement win, I think," Coach Winuvas said of the game.

At 4-6, the Bears are only 2 games out of the division lead, with a game against the 5-5 Lions next week. Can the Bears miraculously make a run? Or will they falter down the stretch?