Bears Win a Wild One, 48-41

The Chicago Bears, who might be nicknamed the Cardiac Bears, won another close game, 48-41, at Soldier Field today. Despite having a 17-point lead in the fourth quarter, the Vikes made it interesting, scoring twice to narrow the gap and break scoring records.

Before it started, I never would have expected for this game to be a shootout. The Bears and the Vikings call to mind images of defensive, ground battles. Of course, those are the Minnesota and Chicago teams of old, before Adrian "the Purple Jesus" Peterson and what the the Fox crew called Kyle Orton's cannon arm.

The first half was wild, with both teams scoring on their first drives. Minnesota made two special teams gaffes that resulted in Bears touchdowns. First, the Bears blocked a punt and the Vikes' kicker lost control of the ball. Chicago native Garrett Wolfe took advantage of the situation and took the ball into the end zone. Then on a Bears punt, the ball bounced off the shoulder of the Vikings defender. Zach Bowman recovered the ball in the end zone for a Bears' touchdown.

The touchdown wasn't the only highlight for the rookie Bowman. He also made the game saving interception to end the game after the VIkings made a last minute charge to the end zone.

The Bears, for the most part, neutralized Peterson, limiting him to one touchdown. On a crucial fourth down play, Brian Urlacher prevented Peterson from getting open. Vikings QB Gus Frerotte was forced to throw the incomplete pass into double coverage, turning the ball over to Chicago.

Turnovers were key. Trumaine McBride and Corey Graham both picked off the ball, then Kevin Payne, the Bears leading tackler, picked up an interception after Lance Briggs tipped a Frerotte pass. That set up the Bears inside the ten, and after a pass interference call on Minnesota, Matt Forte ran it in for a touchdown.

This was an important win for the Bears, not only because it was a crucial defeat of an NFC North opponent. Several different Bears contributed to the win, which was especially needed after Charles Tillman and Nathan Vasher sat out the game with injuries, and Devin Hester left the game with a sore hamstring.

Copyright NBC Owned Television Stations

Leave Comments