3 Things We Learned From Minnesota’s Victory Over Chicago
Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images
Good teams keep finding ways to win, and the Minnesota Vikings are showing that they’re a good team. Once again, Minnesota’s victory was closer than anyone would have wanted it to be, with the Bears getting 17 points in the final eight minutes of regulation, but the defense got a crucial stop in overtime and the offense did more than enough to set John Parker Romo up for the winning field goal.
The Vikings’ fifth-straight win at Soldier Field means that winning the NFC North is still in play, even after the Lions dismantled the Indianapolis Colts to go to 10-1. Before turning the page to Week 13, let’s take a look at what we learned from Sunday’s win.
Three Is Free & Hock is Back
In the past couple of weeks, we have seen teams commit more defenders than ever to stop Justin Jefferson and force other members of this offense to beat them. Prior to this week, we have seen the offense struggle to find answers for this all-out approach against “Jets.” Today, we saw just how important having a tight end like T.J. Hockenson and a second receiver like Jordan Addison is.
With the Bears’ defense committing two or three players to Jefferson on every down, Addison and Hockenson were able to take advantage of their one-on-one matchups all game long. Jones was also able to take advantage of the lighter boxes he’s seen this year, as he recorded over 100 yards on the ground with Addison and Hockenson cracking the century mark through the air. Even with Jefferson having multiple defenders drawn to him, he was still able to get 80 yards after factoring in the penalties he drew.
Too Many Turnovers At All The Wrong Times
It’s not saying anything too groundbreaking to point out that turnovers have been the biggest issue for the Vikings as of late. But more importantly than the frequency of giveaways, what’s really biting Minnesota is that the penalties are arriving at the most inopportune times. Since the start of last season, the Vikings have a league-leading nine turnovers on their first possessions. The team with the next closest amount has six.
Another more recent trend that is concerning is this game was the fourth time in as many games that Minnesota’s turned the ball over in the red zone. Aaron Jones fumbling the ball at the one-yard line on the opening drive very nearly wound up losing the game. The offense is going to need to figure out their problems with securing the ball over the next few weeks. The Arizona Cardinals and Atlanta Falcons both have offenses that are much more capable of capitalizing on turnovers than the Vikings’ last four opponents.
Momentum is Real
There are times in a game when you hear the broadcasters and fans talk about momentum, which drives data-driven commentators from PFF, ESPN, and the like crazy. But we saw momentum take hold for both sides on Sunday.
It all started when Kevin O’Connell won a challenge on what would have been a 24-yard completion to Keenan Allen. Instead of having 1st & Goal, the Bears had to trot out the field goal unit to attempt a 48-yard kick. The momentum kept rolling when Jerry Tillery got a hand on the kick and gave the Vikings offense excellent field position.
The offense would go on to repay the defense and special teams’ great play by scoring a touchdown to go up 14-7. They again capitalized on the momentum when Minnesota’s offense got the ball in the red zone after a muffed punt, and the Vikings punched it in to go up by 14 points.
Unfortunately, the back half of the fourth quarter saw momentum swing the other way. Chicago got a huge stop on 4th & 1 with the Vikings driving in Bears territory, and their 17-3 run was born. It wasn’t until Minnesota forced a punt in overtime that things finally went back the Vikings’ way.
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