One To Remember: Chicago defeats Minnesota 48-41 in shootout
The offense, defense, and special teams all came up big for the Chicago Bears in their 48-41 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. No one could have predicted that this game would have been such a high-scoring affair. Already known for having one of the worse special teams units in the league, the Vikings (3-4) gave up two crucial plays in the punting game, in which the Bears (4-3) took full advantage. This turned out to be the difference in the game.
Chicago’s offense did most of their damage in the air while finding it difficult to run against the Vikings’ fourth-ranked run defense. Kyle Orton had another spectacular game completing 21 of 32 passes for 283 yards and two touchdowns. This could have been the best game of the fourth-round draft pick’s career, had Marty Booker held on to two of the passes he dropped in the end zone, and Desmond Clark had not fumbled on the one-yard line after a 35-yard catch-and-run. Orton’s passing yards would have been well over 300 yards, and also would have had five touchdown passes. But despite the mistakes, Booker and Clark did finish the game with solid numbers. Booker had three catches for a team-high 79 yards and one TD, and Clark hauled in three balls for 59 yards. The other players who contributed to the scoring on the offensive side of the ball were Greg Olsen, Rashied Davis, who recovered Clark’s fumble in the end zone, and rookie Matt Forte scoring his sixth touchdown of the season—which leads all rookies.
Although the defense did give up 41 points, 298 yards passing, and 155 yards rushing, Chicago did cause turnovers when it mattered most. After having both Charles Tillman (shoulder) and Nathan Vasher (wrist) out with injuries, reserve cornerbacks Corey Graham and Trumaine McBride both recorded interceptions. In addition, safety Kevin Payne also had a pick to go along with his one sack and game-high nine tackles. But the biggest interception came late in the fourth quarter when rookie Zachary Bowman, who made his NFL debut after being promoted from the Bears’ practice squad, picked off Gus Frerotte to ice the game.
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Bowman’s first-career interception wasn’t his only big play. Late in the second quarter, the former Nebraska Cornhusker recovered a muffed punt for a touchdown—which was Chicago’s second TD recorded by the special teams. The first was in the first quarter, when Vikings punter Chris Kluwe fumbled the snap, and Bears rookie safety Craig Steltz blocked the punt, which resulted in Garrett Wolfe scooping up the ball at the Vikings’ 17-yard line and running it in for the TD.
With this victory, the Chicago Bears are 2-0 against divisional opponents, and are now tied with the Green Bay Packers for first place in the NFC North. Needing this much deserved bye week coming up, the Bears must take advantage of this time to heal injuries and stay focused for yet another divisional match-up when they will face the Detroit Lions in Week 9 at Soldier Field.
By Clyde A. Speller
ProFootball-fans.com Chicago Bears Correspondent