Another week, another Chicago Bears loss in a game featuring many untimely miscues. This time, the Bears’ comeback attempts against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 12 fell short in overtime. Kicker Cairo Santos had a field goal attempt blocked for the second straight week, and Jonathan Owens’s interception in the end zone was wiped out by a penalty.
It was the fourth time this season that Vikings QB Sam Darnold completed a game without throwing an interception. And yet that was one of the least problematic things that happened to the Bears on the day.
The Bears are now 5-18 in one-score games under head coach Matt Eberflus.
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Darnold completed 64.7% of his passes for 330 yards and 2 touchdowns. He absorbed 3 sacks and 9 total hits to post a 116.1 passer rating. It is the second week in a row that the opposing QB has posted a rating above 100 marking the first two such occasions this season.
The Bears held Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson to 27 yards on two receptions in five targets but every other key playmaker made their mark.
Vikings WR2 Jordan Addison stepped up with an 8-162-1 line on nine looks.
Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson caught seven passes for 114 yards while teammate and running back Aaron Jones tallied 106 yards and 1 touchdown on 22 carries. The Vikings even converted a critical third down with Darnold’s backup, Nick Mullens, under center.
The Bears had a chance to make it a touchdown game but chose for a two-point conversion which head coach Matt Eberflus explained after the game.
He later said he would have to review the tape when asked about Williams taking critical sacks on the Bears’ final drives two weeks in a row. But there was plenty more to draw from.
Bears All-Pro cornerback Jaylon Johnson got called for a pass interference on Jefferson to negate Owens’ pick.
Johnson was also beaten in the second quarter as Darnold found Jalen Nailor for a TD pass. Owens forced and recovered a fumble in the first quarter. But he was also on the wrong end of Addison’s touchdown grab. In Owens’ defense, he was essentially SS3, playing in place of the injured Elijah Hicks who is starter Jaquan Brisker’s backup.
Terell Smith Plays Over Tyrique Stevenson
The Bears gave Terell Smith the start opposite Johnson over Tyrique Stevenson, a notable switch after Stevenson had regained his starting job following his one-game demotion in Week 9 for losing focus against the Washington Commanders in Week 8.
Smith wound up on the wrong side of a 45-yard reception by Addison in the first quarter on the play before the wideout’s score.
Stevenson rotated in but was a clear second option behind his 2023 draft classmate, Smith.
Where that leaves Stevenson going forward remains uncertain. The coaching staff has espoused faith in him and his emotional playing style is a big part of his effectiveness as a rookie. It has just turned detrimental in Year 2.
Pass Rush Comes Alive
The news was not all bad for the defense. They did bring Darnold down for the 3 sacks, snapping a streak of back-to-back games with just one.
The Bears have now recorded multiple sacks in eight games this season. They had nine such games in 2023. Defensive end Montez Sweat’s presence has been a big key to the Bears’ turnaround in sack production and the man himself snapped a personal drought in Week 12.
.@_sweat9 says hello 👋
📺: #MINvsCHI on FOX pic.twitter.com/yFwN18sc0J
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) November 24, 2024
Sweat admitted frustration with the Bears’ losing streak during the week of practice.
He had also gone two games (and three weeks) without recording a sack. While it was surely nice to get off the schneid with a sack, Sweat surely would have traded it for the victory. Still, the production comes after a concerted effort from the defensive coaching staff to revitalize the pass rush.
“We just won our 1-on-1s,” defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. told Clocker Sports in the locker room postgame. “We talked about rush lanes all week, winning your 1-on-1s all week. That’s what we did – some – today.”
Asked about the toll the continued losses are having, Dexter cited the team’s work in practice.
“No[, it’s not deflating],” Dexter said. “I know we’re putting the same work in that we did previously. It’s the same stuff. Just, unfortunately, not getting the outcome that we want.”
“I think that’s important in life, is to try to stay consistent when stuff is not going how you’d like it to. It’s not gonna be the same, so. [We’re] still staying locked in on the little things, the details, all that little stuff that’ll come up.”
That is a notable remark given the issues that have plagued this team all season.
They cannot dwell on this loss for long, with a road date against the Detriot Lions on tap for Thanksgiving Day.
“It’s a Thursday night game,” Dexter said. “Blessed to play those, so we’re looking forward to it.”
Thomas Brown Looks Like the Man for the Job
The Bears’ offense was effective for the second straight week. While some of that could have to do with the Vikings’ aggressive scheme, and one of Williams’ touchdown passes came seemingly with the game out of reach, offensive coordinator Thomas Brown is proving himself.
Brown has been lauded for getting the play calls in early and clearly, though there were some issues versus the Vikings.
Still, the Bears’ 418 total yards of offense were their second-most of the season.
It was their best output since Week 5 against the Carolina Panthers. The step up in competition is notable as is Williams’ progress. Where it ultimately ends is where things get interesting. The Bears could be in search of a new head coach at season’s end if not sooner.
Brown’s success with Williams might be the best “pro” argument anyone can make for the next candidate.
Brown has been a rising candidate for two years so it is not exactly a stretch.