Upon further review: Vikings vs. Bears
With 8 minutes, 45 seconds remaining on Sunday, Minnesota had its game against rival Chicago in hand, possessing a two-touchdown lead.
Teddy Bridgewater was nevertheless willing to let it all hang out.
On a third-and-9 play from the 12 yard-line, Minnesota's second-year quarterback eventually sprinted up the middle, neared the goal-line and then virtually hurdled Chicago cornerback Tracy Porter. The result was one of Bridgewater's five total touchdowns in a career-best performance that led the 9-5 Vikings to a 38-17 victory.
Bridgewater's late-game leap near the goal-line could be considered ill-advised, given the circumstances. Yet, it also probably reinforced the belief Bridgewater's teammates have in him -- which is never a bad thing with the playoffs on the horizon.
Let's take a deeper look at all the keys that led to Minnesota's ninth win of the 2015 campaign:
SUNDAY SCHOOL
-- Bridgewater exhibited far more fire than Chicago QB Jay Cutler -- he of the $15.5 million base salary. Oddly enough, Bridgewater and Cutler both ended Sunday's game with 231 yards passing. Minnesota's signal-caller seemed to produce the far more inspired effort, however, as he ended the day 17 for 20, with four TD passes, the aforementioned scoring run, and a virtually flawless 154.4 passer rating. Cutler, meanwhile, went 26 for 37, with two TDs, one interception and a solid 93.4 rating. In the game's biggest moments, though, Bridgewater thrived while Cutler wilted -- like when the Bears QB had a lost fumble at 13:50 of the third quarter, which the Vikings scored a touchdown off of just six plays later.
-- The Vikings' wounded defense stood tall. Coach Mike Zimmer's squad was again without three defensive stars, as defensive tackle Linval Joseph, linebacker Anthony Barr and safety Harrison Smith all rested injuries. The hosts adjusted well, however, with multiple backups having productive days. Undrafted rookie safety Anthony Harris had six total tackles, for example. Aging linebacker Chad Greenway had five tackles and a sack. Rookie defensive end Danielle Hunter was credited with 1.5 sacks. And, finally, defensive tackle Tom Johnson had a sack and two tackles for loss. All told, Minnesota's defense had five sacks on the day.
-- Minnesota may have benefited from Alshon Jeffery's ailing hamstring. Chicago's star receiver brought the Bears to within a 10-7 margin at the 5:40 mark of the second quarter, when he smoothly hauled in a 10-yard scoring strike on a back-shoulder corner route. That proved to be Jeffery's final catch of the game, however. The 6-foot-3 receiver left the game multiple times after halftime, due to injury. The 25-year-old had been dealing with a calf injury and an illness at midweek, too. He had six catches for 107 yards and a touchdown a week earlier, versus Washington.
-- Jerick McKinnon offered a reminder of his pass-catching skills. McKinnon, a cat-quick second-year running back, had four receptions for a career-high 76 yards and one touchdown -- all in the first half. In his previous 13 games, McKinnon had 56 total receiving yards. The 23-year-old now has 16 total catches this season. A year ago, the Georgia Southern product had 27 receptions in 11 games played. The 5-9, 205-pounder seems to have solid chemistry with Bridgewater when it comes to safety-valve passes.
DULY NOTED
-- The hosts appeared to dodge a couple bullets with regard to injuries. Both Adrian Peterson (left ankle) and cornerback Xavier Rhodes (right leg) limped to the sidelines early in Sunday's game. Fortunately for the Vikings, both of the standouts eventually returned to action against Chicago. Peterson ended the afternoon with 63 yards rushing on 18 carries; the 30-year-old running back had just seven yards after halftime, but wasn't truly needed, with the game largely in hand. Rhodes ended up with five total tackles and one pass defended.
--Rookie receiver Stefon Diggs re-emerged. Diggs, a fifth-round draft pick, reeled in a pair of scoring strikes from Bridgewater on Sunday, ending with three receptions for 55 yards, including a long reception of 33 yards (which resulted in a touchdown). The 22-year-old had been held below 35 yards receiving in each of his last three contests. Diggs now has 47 total receptions in 2015.
-- The second quarter continues to be a problem area for the Vikings. Minnesota outscored Chicago, 10-7, in Sunday's second stanza, though that was the most closely contested quarter of the game. Zimmer's squad has now been outscored 101-72 in the second quarter this season.
-- After vanquishing the 5-9 Bears, the Purple and Gold are now 7-1 this season in games against teams that are below .500.
-- The Bears have now been outscored 96-41 in the first quarter this season. Minnesota led, 7-0, after 15 minutes in Sunday's matchup.
-- Minnesota is now 8-1 this season in games that kick off at noon.
WHAT IT MEANT
The Vikings took a key step in their quest for a playoff berth. The win over Chicago left Minnesota with a 6-4 conference record, which might prove key in NFC playoff tiebreakers. Sunday's victory also upped Minnesota's divisional record to 4-1 this season; chief rival Green Bay is 3-2 in NFC North play, for what it's worth. In winning by 21 points, the Vikings also posted their most decisive victory in over a month.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
There's only one direction to turn for this weekly honor. Teddy Bridgewater passed with pinpoint accuracy in this Vikings win, very nearly ending the day 18 for 20 if it weren't for a dropped screen pass by fullback Zach Line. Bridgewater became the second Vikings QB to ever pass for four TDs with one rushing score, joining hall of famer Fran Tarkenton (who also accomplished that feat against the rival Bears, on Sept. 17, 1961). One truly eye-popping stat from Sunday: Bridgewater averaged 11.6 yards per pass; his season average entering the day was 7.14 yards per attempt.
DON'T FORGET ABOUT ME
He didn't produce many highlight-reel plays, but linebacker Eric Kendricks helped lead the Vikings defense admirably, leading the front seven with seven total tackles. Considering the rookie second-round draft pick was again without talented cohort Anthony Barr, limiting Chicago's offense to 17 points was a noteworthy feat. Kendricks, a UCLA product, has nine games with six total tackles or more this season.
THAT MOMENT
With 13:50 remaining in the third quarter, veteran defensive end Brian Robison produced a momentum-turning play for the hosts, as he unleashed a strip sack of Jay Cutler. Minnesota recovered and promptly scored a touchdown six plays later, seizing a 24-7 lead. Robison's big defensive play was especially key considering it came shortly after Chicago had recovered a surprise onside kick.
THIS NUMBER
10-5. The Vikings' record at their temporary home, TCF Bank Stadium. Minnesota is 5-2 at home this season.
THEY SAID IT
"It shows that when we do put the ball in the air, we're pretty good." -- Minnesota quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, via the Associated Press
"Every time (Bridgewater) is in there I feel confident in his decisions. He's always composed, and that's the kind of thing we like in the huddle." -- Minnesota fullback Zach Line
"It doesn't matter who we would've played today, we weren't going to win playing that kind of offensive football." -- Chicago QB Jay Cutler, via the AP
WHAT'S NEXT
The Vikings host the 6-8 Giants next Sunday night, in their regular-season home finale.
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