The Vikings dominate, the hand carries the 8th loss in a row

MINNEAPOLIS — This was the week the Minnesota Vikings arrived. A team clearly expected to finish with a losing record due to a pending quarterback transition has instead put itself in the conversation for the best team in the NFC. After clinching a playoff berth over the weekend, the Vikings dispatched the Chicago Bears in a thorough 30-12 victory Monday night at US Bank Stadium, sending the Bears to their eighth straight loss.

The Vikings’ victory lifted them to 12-2 and into a statistical tie with the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles in the conference. The Vikings now have a chance to secure the NFC North title by winning their last three games. If they do, the overall no. 1 in the conference could be within their reach, depending on the Eagles’ performance during that period and how several tiebreakers play out.

The Vikings’ defense held the Bears without a touchdown until late in the fourth quarter after replacing many of their starters. And to demonstrate how well-rounded their offense has become, the Vikings got rushing touchdowns from tailbacks Aaron Jones and Cam Akers, the first time they’ve had more than one touchdown on the ground in a game this season.

QB breakdown: After a week of intense public discussion about his future, quarterback Sam Darnold had one of his least accurate games of the season. He finished with 16 incomplements, his second most in a game for the Vikings. It didn’t help that receiver Justin Jefferson dropped a sure touchdown pass in the second quarter, but ESPN Research credited Darnold with six off-target throws, tied for his second most in a game in 2024.

Notable Stats: According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Jefferson was more open on his touchdown in the first quarter than he had been on any of the previous 20 touchdowns he has scored on throws into the end zone. Jefferson had 4 yards of separation from the nearest Bears defender on the 7-yard catch.

Disturbing trend: Right tackle Brian O’Neill, who Vikings coaches say has had one of the best seasons of his career, suffered a right knee injury in the first half and was on and off the field for the rest of the game. The Vikings struggled to protect Darnold when O’Neill was sidelined, and with left tackle Christian Darrisaw (knee) already out for the season, O’Neill’s ongoing availability appears to be quite important. — Kevin Seifert

Next game: at Seahawks (4:05 p.m. ET, Sunday)

A week of promises and declarations that a faster start could be achieved with a sharper game plan and better execution produced the same result for the Bears.

Chicago’s eighth straight loss exposed an overmatched offense and a defense that continued to allow too many explosive plays.

Everything seemed to be self-inflicted for the Bears, highlighted by their longest drive of the night — 62 yards — that stalled at Minnesota’s 11-yard line after a rushing touchdown was wiped out by an illegal turnover. This lackluster performance is nothing new for Chicago, which faces three playoff teams (Detroit, Seattle and Green Bay) to end the season.

QB breakdown: Caleb Williams’ annoyance on the bench after taking a heavy hit in the second half summed up another frustrating performance. The rookie averaged 0.6 air yards per attempt in the first half. The progress Williams had made during Chicago’s first run against its NFC North opponents appears to be slipping away after he was off target on 17% of his throws, slightly below his season average (22%).

Disturbing trend: First half sadness. The Bears went into halftime scoreless for a third straight week after turning the ball over twice on downs, a Williams fumble and a punt, resulting in another weak start. The Bears have been outscored 53-0 over their past three first halves, the worst of any team through three games this season.

Biggest hole in the game plan: Bears couldn’t convert on third or fourth downs. The Bears didn’t convert a third down until 14:35 left in the fourth quarter, finishing 1-of-12. They were also stopped twice on fourth-and-1 with D’Andre Swift running the ball.

Most surprising performance: Defensive end DeMarcus Walker recorded four pressures, bringing his season total to a career-high 25. Walker was a bright spot for a Bears pass rush that should be better this season with Montez Sweat. The Bears gave up a second-round pick for Sweat in 2023 because they weren’t sure there would be a better edge rusher available in free agency. One of the players they could have gone after — Vikings outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard — had his 11th sack of the season in the first quarter. — Courtney Cronin

Next game: vs. Lions (1 p.m. ET, Sunday)