Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings: Live updates from Soldier Field

CHICAGO – The Chicago Bears return to action Sunday looking to snap a four-game losing streak. Head coach Matt Eberflus’ team is taking on the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field.

Quarterback Caleb Williams could be under pressure against a Vikings defense that blitzes more than any other in the NFL. Keeping Williams off the ground will be a tough task for the Bears offensive line.

The Vikings have won five of the last six matchup with the Bears, but the Bears won when these two NFC North rivals last met. The Bears come into this matchup with a 4-6 record, having lost four consecutive games. The Vikings are 8-2 and trying to keep pace with the Detroit Lions atop the division.

Shaw Local Bears beat writer Sean Hammond will be reporting live from Soldier Field. Follow Hammond on X at @sean_hammond, on Instagram at @bears_reporter and on Threads at @bears_reporter. Shaw Local enterprise reporter Michal Dwojak also will be reporting from the lakefront. Follow Dwojak @mdwojak94 on X and at the same handle on Threads. Shaw Local Bears analyst Marc Silverman will provide his thoughts on X at @WaddleandSilvy.

Stay here all game long for live updates.

Vikings win in overtime

The Bears received the opening kickoff in overtime, but quarterback Caleb Williams took a 12-yard sack that essentially ended the possession. The Bears were forced to punt a few plays later.

Minnesota took the next possession and drove 68 yards on 10 plays. Kicker Parker Romo made a 29-yard field goal to win the game, 30-27. The Vikings improved to 9-2, while the Bears fell to 4-7.

Bears convert on-side kick and force overtime

After a late touchdown pulled the Bears within three points, they needed to convert an on-side kick with 22 seconds remaining in the game in order to have any chance. Cairo Santos faked the kick toward the left, then kicked to his right. Bears defensive back Tarvarius Moore recovered the kick after a Vikings player touched the football.

On the next play, Caleb Williams threw up the middle to DJ Moore to pull within field goal range. Cairo Santos made a 48-yard field goal try to tie the game and force overtime.

Vikings add late field goal; Bears try to rally

The Vikings added a late field goal to extend their lead to 11 points with two minutes to go. DeAndre Carter’s 55-yard kick return gave the Bears great field position on their next possession.

Caleb Williams converted one fourth-down throw to Rome Odunze to keep the chains moving. Williams later completed a 1-yard touchdown pass to Keenan Allen to draw within one possession with 22 seconds on the clock.

On the two-point try, Williams zipped a pass to DJ Moore. The Vikings lead, 27-24, with 22 seconds left. The Bears need to convert an on-side kick to have a chance.

DJ Moore scores touchdown

With the Bears floundering in the second half, they desperately needed a good possession. They found it midway through the fourth quarter. Caleb Williams led the Bears on a touchdown drive, capped by a 10-yard touchdown pass from Williams to DJ Moore.

It marked Williams’ first passing touchdown since Oct. 13 in London. It went down as a 10-play, 64-yard touchdown drive.

The Bears elected to go for two points, but failed to convert. They trail the Vikings, 24-16, with 7:22 to go.

Bears have another special teams blunder, leads to Vikings touchdown

The Bears defense forced a punt midway through the third quarter. Matt Eberflus’ team thought it was getting the ball back, trailing by seven points.

But punt return man DeAndre Carter’s leg touched the football as the punt was bouncing toward him. The Vikings jumped on the free ball and took over at the Bears’ 14-yard line.

The turnover gave the Vikings a short field and an easy scoring chance. Moments later, Vikings running back Aaron Jones pushed his way through for a 1-yard touchdown run. The Vikings extended their lead, 24-10, with 1:22 to go in the third quarter.

Addison makes another big play, Vikings add field goal

After halftime, Vikings receiver Jordan Addison made another big play. Sam Darnold connected with Addison for a 69-yard gain on the first play from scrimmage after the break. Addison caught the ball, bounced off a defender and sprinted up the right sideline.

Bears coach Matt Eberflus challenged the play, thinking Addison stepped out of bounds earlier than the refs initially said. The call, however, was not overturned. It marked Eberflus’ fifth consecutive unsuccessful challenge (including all four of his challenges this season).

The Bears defense did regroup for a red zone stop to hold the Vikings out of the end zone. Minnesota settled for a field goal to extend its lead to 17-10 with 12:40 to go in the third quarter.

Bears add field goal before halftime

The Bears added a field goal just before halftime. Cairo Santos made a 49-yard field goal from his preferred right hash mark. The kick cut into the Vikings’ lead at the break. It was nearly identical to a 48-yard try from the right hash mark that the Vikings blocked earlier in the second quarter.

The Vikings lead, 14-10, at halftime.

Quarterback Caleb Williams has thrown for 176 yards on 16-for-22 passing in the first half. Keenan Allen has totaled 76 yards on six catches. The Bears have more than 20 minutes of possession, compared to just under 10 minutes for the Vikings.

Pass interference penalty leads to Vikings touchdown

After the blocked field goal, Sam Darnold lofted the football deep toward star receiver Justin Jefferson. Darnold took a big hit on the play and probably put too much air under the ball. It was an easy interception for safety Jonathan Owens.

There was just one problem.

Cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who was in coverage on Jefferson, drew a pass interference penalty. The penalty put the Vikings at the 6-yard line.

One play later, Darnold threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to receiver Jalen Nailor. The Vikings took the lead, 14-7, with 6:29 to go in the second quarter.

Bears field goal try blocked by Vikings

Keenan Allen was on a roll.

Allen had three more receptions on the Bears’ next possession early in the second quarter. They threw to a him a fourth time down the left sideline and it appeared that he had another big gain. Upon further review, the play was overturned because Allen’s second foot landed just barely on the sideline.

This forced a fourth-and-4 from the Vikings’ 30-yard line. Rather than going for it, the Bears elected to kick the field goal. Kicking from the right hash, Cairo Santos had his 48-yard field goal try blocked by the Vikings.

It was deja vu for the Bears, who had a potential game-winning kick blocked by the Packers last week.

Jordan Addison makes ridiculous catch, scores touchdown

The Vikings moved down the field quickly and scored on a 2-yard touchdown pass from Sam Darnold to receiver Jordan Addison. The big play, however, came moments earlier when Darnold and Addison connected for a 45-yard gain.

Addison caught the deep ball despite tight coverage from Bears cornerback Terell Smith. Addison was downed at the 2-yard line and scored on the very next snap.

The Vikings pulled even, 7-7, with the Bears early in the second quarter.

Caleb Williams guides Bears to touchdown

Montez Sweat knocked down Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold on third down midway through the first quarter. The Vikings left the running back in for extra blocking help, but he was no match for Sweat. Darnold’s pass fell incomplete and the Vikings were forced to punt.

On the following Bears possession, quarterback Caleb Williams made two big-time throws. One was a tight-window bullet to receiver Keenan Allen, who picked up a big gain after the catch. It went for a 40-yard gain. Later, Williams scrambled out of trouble and lofted a perfect pass to running back D’Andre Swift down the right sideline.

They were two of Williams’ best throws all season. Running back Roschon Johnson finished off the possession with a 1-yard touchdown run. The Bears took the lead, 7-0.

Jonathan Owens rips the ball away

The Vikings won the coin toss and elected to defer until the second half. So the Bears started with the football first. Caleb Williams and the offense went backward on the first play from scrimmage due to a holding penalty. The Bears couldn’t move the chains and were forced to punt.

After Tory Taylor’s punt, the Vikings marched right down the field and appeared like they were poised for a touchdown. Sam Darnold handed off to Aaron Jones on second-and-goal from the 1-yard line. Bears defensive end DeMarcus Walker initially hit Jones, then Jones met safety Jonathan Owens at the 1-yard line. Owens ripped the football right out of Jones’ hands.

It went down as a forced fumble and a fumble recovery for Owens, who went down at the 2-yard line.

Latest injury updates

The Bears entered the day with two key starters on the offense who were listed as questionable. But both running back D’Andre Swift (groin) and receiver Keenan Allen (ankle) are active and expected to play on Sunday.

Swift injured his groin last week against Green Bay and the Bears made sure to give him extra rest this week. The Bears are going to need him against the No. 1-ranked run defense in the NFL. Allen rolled his ankle in practice on Friday but appears to be good to go.

The Bears announced six inactive players Sunday morning, and neither Swift nor Allen was among the six. The following players are inactive on Sunday: wide receiver Tyler Scott, defensive back Ameer Speed, tackle Kiran Amegadjie, safety Elijah Hicks, offensive lineman Ryan Bates and defensive end Dominique Robinson.

Bates suffered a concussion last week and will not be available. Backup Matt Pryor will likely start the game in place of Bates at right guard. Hicks injured his ankle last week. Eberflus said that veteran Jonathan Owens will start at safety in place of Hicks.

What to expect from the Vikings

The Vikings blitz more than any other defense in the NFL. Will Caleb Williams be ready to face the all-out blitz? That’s been the major discussion this week at Halas Hall.

On the other side, Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold has been fantastic against the blitz. That could put more pressure on the Bears to create a pass rush without blitzing. Montez Sweat might be the key to this game for the Bears.

Here are the top five storylines to watch during Sunday’s game.

Silvy has already started wondering about the Bears’ next head coaching search. Read his full column here.

What else did I miss this week?

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

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