Purple Positives: Vikings Tranquilize Da Bears
The Vikings have ascended to 9-2 on the season after their triumph (that got sketchier than it needed to be at the end) at Soldier Field. This makes it a 4-game win streak for the boys in Purple, and improves their division record to 2-1. It was a very complete game, and even though Caleb Williams had a fantastic day, the Vikings were still able to overcome and dominate most of the contest.
Minnesota looks ahead to their first home game since November 3rd on Sunday Night Football against the Colts when they take on Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals. It seems like a must-win for Arizona after their loss by the hands of the Seahawks on Sunday, but if Minnesota replicates what they did well against Chicago, it may be a long day for those Cardinals.
So, let’s take a look at some Vikings positives from Week 12.
September Sam Sticks Around
Sam Darnold had a good day statistically, completing 22 of his 34 pass attempts for 330 yards, 2 TDs and 0 INTs. It was arguably his best game of the year so far, and it came against a good Chicago passing defense that held Justin Jefferson to just 27 yards. Darnold’s pocket presence, ball placement, and decision making were all on-point at Soldier Field, and the only times he really tried to force anything was understandably to Justin Jefferson.
Darnold’s November was a decent one, going 94/138, 1,107 yards, 7 TDs and 5 INTs with a passer rating of 94.1. Most importantly, the Vikings finished November 4-0 with a point differential on +26, and the Vikings three-straight road victories over the course of November marked the first time in team-history that they’ve won three contests consecutively on the road.
Addison and Hockenson Have A Day
It seems like we’ve been waiting forever, but the Vikings finally got that huge game out of Jordan Addison that’s been bubbling under the surface for a while now. Funnily enough, it somehow came in the same exact game in which T.J. Hockenson reminded the NFL that he’s still a top tight end in the game.
Jordan Addison finished his day with 8 receptions for 162 yards and a TD. This would be his first 100+ yard game since Week 15 of 2023 against the Bengals where he saw 6 receptions for 111 yards and 2 TDs. It’s the 3rd 100+ yard receiving game of his career, and 2nd game of 80+ yards this season. He’s been open, so let’s hope the USC QB-WR duo in Darnold and Addison have found a page to stay together on.
Hockenson had himself a day as well, wrangling in 7 receptions for 114 yards. It was only his 3rd time eclipsing 100+ yards as a Viking, and 5th time having 80+ yards in a game in the same time-span. Hard to say you need your tight end to put up those kind of numbers when you have Justin Jefferson on the field, but in relief of Jefferson having a slow day, Hockenson and Addison stepped up beautifully.
Special Teams Success
Chicago had a rough special teams performance against the Packers in Week 11, and Week 12 against the Vikings was no different.
The Bears’ first field goal attempt by Cairo Santos was blocked by Jerry Tillery and recovered by Brian Asamoah. DeAndre Carter muffed a punt return after some sweet positioning by Trent Sherfield Sr., setting up a fumble recovery by Bo Richter. This Bears blunder allowed the Vikings to start anew at the Chicago 15 yard line, in which they scored a touchdown in 5 plays and made it a 14-point game.
Of course, new kicker Parker Romo, in relief for Will Reichard, went 3/3 on extra points and 3/3 on field goals, including the game-winning 29-yarder.
Honorable Mentions
Despite Caleb Williams’ excellent performance, it still felt as if Brian Flores was in control of the game, at least until the Bears’ furious comeback at the end.
It was another fantastic day for the run defense. The Bears’ final rushing numbers are carried heavily by Caleb Williams’ 6 rushes for 33 yards and D.J. Moore’s 1 rush for 13 yards; D’Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson had a combined 15 rushes for 32 yards, good for 2.13 yards per carry.
Jalen Nailor found the end zone for the 5th time this season. His 5 TDs are tied for the most on the team this season with Justin Jefferson.
The Vikings rushing offense found a footing against a bad Bears run defense like many suggested they would. Aaron Jones finished the day with 22 carries for 106 yards and a TD.
Sam Darnold, Aaron Jones, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson all combined to become the first 300+ yard passer, 100+ yard rusher, and two 100+ yard receivers in the same game for the Vikings since the 2000 season.
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