The Minnesota Vikings took another step back into playoff contention as they outlasted the Chicago Bears for a 19-13 victory on Monday night.
The Vikings were paced by a big night from Adam Thielen as he put Minnesota on the board with a 17-yard touchdown from Kirk Cousins. The Bears would add a pair of field goals from Cairo Santos to head into the locker room down 7-6 at the half.
How, @athielen19?
How?
đź“ş: https://t.co/srRRl7n5na pic.twitter.com/zcGexnEUrC
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 17, 2020
While the Vikings went into the half, momentum quickly shifted to Chicago’s side. Former Viking Cordarrelle Patterson returned the opening kickoff 104 yards to tie an NFL record with his eighth career return touchdown to give Chicago a 13-7 lead.
The Vikings went to work chipping into the deficit as Justin Jefferson turned in eight catches and 135 yards to get Minnesota back into the game. On a night where the Bears slowed down Dalvin Cook (30 carries, 96 yards), Dan Bailey added a pair of field goals to tie the game at 13 heading into the fourth quarter.
In the final frame, Cousins found Thielen for a six-yard touchdown to give the Vikings the lead. Bailey missed the extra point, however, and Minnesota held a 19-13 advantage.
.@athielen19 ⛸️⛸️
đź“ş: https://t.co/srRRl7n5na pic.twitter.com/zPSyZtSPvp
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 17, 2020
The Bears had a last gasp effort late in the fourth quarter, but Nick Foles missed an open Anthony Miller to turn the ball back to the Vikings. Although the Vikings couldn’t get a score to put it away, they would stop the Bears on the final drive to earn their fourth victory at Soldier Field since 1999 and Cousins’ first victory on Monday Night Football in 10 tries.
The Vikings are now 4-5 on the season and will host Dallas (2-7) in Week 11.
