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Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings live updates from U.S. Bank Stadium

By The Citizen on October 9, 2022

MINNEAPOLIS – The Bears and the Vikings will square off for the first time in 2022 when the Bears visit U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Vikings are looking to keep pace with the Packers atop the NFC North, while the Bears are trying to get back over .500 after a loss against the New York Giants last week.

Follow @bears_insider for live updates all game long. Shaw Local Bears beat reporter Sean Hammond is covering the game live from Minneapolis. Follow him on Twitter at @sean_hammond and on Instagram at @bears_reporter.

Catch up on everything you need to know ahead of Sunday’s game below. Stay here all game long for live updates.

Smith-Marsette fumbles, Bears lose

Needing a touchdown, the Bears completed a pass to receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette. The Vikings yanked the ball from Smith-Marsette’s hands for a fumble. Smith-Marsette was waived by the Vikings two months ago and picked up by the Bears on waivers.

The play essentially ended the game. The Vikings ran out the clock for a 29-22 win.

Cousins’ rushing touchdown gives Vikings the lead

The Vikings drove the length of the field, eating up much of the clock late in the fourth quarter. Minnesota quarterback Kirk Cousins snuck in a 1-yard touchdown to give his team a lead. The Vikings converted on a two-point try to take a seven-point lead, 29-22.

The Bears offense will get the ball back with 2:26 remaining, needing a touchdown.

Vildor picks off Cousins, Bears take the lead

Bears cornerback Kindle Vildor intercepted a pass from Vikings quarterback Kirk Coucins early in the fourth quarter. The turnover gave the Bears the ball near midfield, trailing by two points. The interception was the first of Vildor’s career.

The turnover led to a 51-yard field goal from Bears kicker Cairo Santos. The Bears took their first lead of the game, 22-21.

Santos adds another field goal

A 43-yard field goal from kicker Cairo Santos pulled the Bears within two points of the Vikings, 21-19, late in the third quarter.

The Bears took a shot at the end zone on third down, with Justin Fields flinging a pass up for receiver Darnell Mooney. With a defender draped all over him, Mooney couldn’t come down with what would’ve been a tough catch.

The Bears had converted on a fourth-down attempt earlier on the drive, with Fields scrambling and reaching the football out for the conversion.

Bears block Vikings’ field goal try

After Velus Jones Jr. scored a touchdown on the opening drive of the second half, the Bears tried an on-side kick, which the Vikings recovered. Even with the good field position, the Vikings couldn’t get anything going on offense.

They trotted kicker Greg Joseph out for a 51-yard field goal, but the try was blocked by the Bears.

Velus Jones Jr. scores 1st career touchdown

Bears rookie receiver Velus Jones Jr. scored his first career touchdown. He caught a little shovel pass from quarterback Justin Fields on a sweep. Jones beat everyone to the pylon for a 9-yard touchdown.

The score cut into the Vikings’ lead, 21-16, after the Bears failed to convert on a two-point try. The Bears drove 67 yards on eight plays on the first possession after halftime.

The Bears surprised the Vikings with an on-side kick attempt following the touchdown, but it was recovered by Minnesota.

Mooney’s 1-handed catch, Montgomery’s run give Bears touchdown

Darnell Mooney made an absolutely ridiculous one-handed catch on a deep ball from quarterback Justin Fields late in the first quarter. The 39-yard gain helped the Bears move deep into the red zone.

The Bears scored a few plays later when David Montgomery barreled in on a 9-yard touchdown run on third-and-8. The score cut into the Vikings lead, 21-10, just before halftime. The Bears had started the drive right at midfield after the Vikings shanked a punt.

Vikings add 3rd touchdown

Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins threw a quick toss to receiver Jalen Reagor as Reagor was coming across the formation. Reagor punched in a 1-yard touchdown. The Vikings extended their lead, 21-3, midway through the second quarter.

The Vikings continued to pour it on the Bears. Defensively, the Bears seemed to have no answer. Minnesota drove 71 yards on nine plays for its third touchdown drive of the game.

Cook adds his 2nd touchdown

The Vikings extended their lead, 14-3, on the first play of the second quarter. Running back Dalvin Cook beat everyone to the edge on a 5-yard touchdown run.

The Vikings capped an 11-play, 75-yard drive. The Vikings continued to make it look easy against the Bears’ defense. The Vikings totaled 156 yards of total offense in the first quarter alone. Cousins completed all 13 of his pass attempts in the first quarter. Bears quarterback Justin Fields has yet to complete 13 passes in a game this season.

Bears kicker Cairo Santos makes 50-yard field goal

The Bears scored a field goal on their first drive of Sunday’s game. They drove 43 yards on six plays, aided by a defensive pass interference penalty. Kicker Cairo Santos, who missed last week’s game for a personal reason, made a 50-yard field goal.

The Vikings remained in the lead, 7-3, midway through the first quarter.

The Bears offense was penalized twice on the drive. A loud Vikings crowd was making an impact on the Bears’ ability to communicate on the field. Receiver Darnell Mooney drew a pass interference call against Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson, which went for nine yards helped the Bears get into field goal range.

Vikings score first

Kirk Cousins and the Vikings made it look easy on the first drive of the game. The Vikings offense drove 86 yards on 12 plays, capping the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run from running back Dalvin Cook.

Cousins went 7-for-7 passing on the drive for 68 yards. He connected with receiver Justin Jefferson four times for 55 yards. The Vikings faced just one third down.

David Montgomery is active, expected to play

Bears running back David Montgomery is active and expected to play in Sunday’s game. The news is not so good for cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who is officially inactive. Also inactive for the Bears are safety Dane Cruikshank, defensive lineman Kingsley Jonathan and tight end Jake Tonges.

For the Vikings, cornerback Andrew Booth Jr., outside linebacker Luiji Vilain, interior lineman Chris Reed, tackle Verderian Lowe, receiver Jalen Nailor, defensive lineman Esezi Otomewo and defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga are inactive.

The Vikings were optimistic that Booth, a second-round draft pick out of Clemson, would play this week. He suffered a quad injury in the season opener, but will not yet make his return.

What to expect from the Vikings

Stopping running back Dalvin Cook will be priority No. 1 for the Bears defense this week. The Bears have been among the worst defenses in the NFL at stopping the run. Historically, they’ve done a good job of slowing Cook and the Vikings, but that was under a different coaching staff with a different defensive scheme.

Here are five things to watch for in Sunday’s matchup. Cornerback Jaylon Johnson’s presence, or absence, will be felt as the Bears attempt to defend Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson. This will be a major test for Matt Eberflus’ defense.

The Vikings are the favorite at home, but did anybody on our staff pick the Bears in an upset? Check out our staff picks for the game here.

Latest injury updates

Bears running back David Montgomery could make his return Sunday after missing last week’s game against the Giants. Montgomery has been nursing an ankle injury, but is officially listed as questionable ahead of Sunday’s game. Montgomery did return to practice late this week in a limited capacity.

A report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter early Sunday indicated that Montgomery likely will play.

Defensively, cornerback Jaylon Johnson is doubtful with a quad injury. Johnson, like Montgomery, returned to practice in a limited capacity on Friday. His availability is a huge story ahead of a matchup against a receiver like Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson.

Safety and special teamer Dane Cruikshank is also doubtful due to a hamstring injury.

For the Vikings, tight end Ben Ellefson has already been ruled out with a groin injury. Rookie cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. is questionable with a quad injury and rookie receiver Jalen Nailor is questionable with a hamstring injury.

Can the Bears offense improve?

The Bears are still searching for answers in the passing game. Quarterback Justin Fields remains behind the rest of the league in most major passing stats.

Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy isn’t worried. But should he be? It’s fair to be patient with a young quarterback in a new system. Eventually, though, results have to come.

The Bears have done an admirable job of establishing the run, despite the passing struggles. Running back Khalil Herbert has been excellent in relief of injured David Montgomery, but Montgomery might be about to return to action.

What else happened this week?

Here’s what else was going on at Halas Hall this week.

Bears’ Whitehair could go on IR, but Eberflus expects him to return this season

Bear Down, Nerd Up: Another week of ugly numbers for Chicago Bears QB Justin Fields

Chicago Bears notes: Justin Fields says passing numbers ‘don’t matter’

Bears are receiving Super Bowl betting interest, and we are just as confused as you are

Chicago Bears kicker Cairo Santos returns to team after weekend away

Source: The Daily Chronicle

Published in Malta Illinois

The Citizen
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