This was a sloppy performance from the Minnesota Vikings, but they ultimately pulled out the 19-13 win against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.
With the loss of starting quarterback Justin Fields in the middle of the third, the Bears threw in rookie undrafted free agent Tyson Bagent to the Vikings’ defense. Despite an impressive drive that led to Bagent’s first-ever touchdown, the Bears were mostly contained on the offensive side of the football.
This second win was pivotal in keeping the narrative relatively positive, as opposed to a loss against a battered Chicago team.
Even in sloppy performances, some players saw their stocks rise, while others succumbed to the sloppiness and watched their stocks fall.
Stock up: Turnover Margin
It happened. It finally happened. The Minnesota Vikings won the turnover battle against a team.
The Vikings were able to force not one, not two but three turnovers against the Chicago Bears offense. The most important of which was a 42-yard scoop-and-score from linebacker Jordan Hicks that made the lead 19-6.
This was the Vikings’ first multi-turnover game since Christmas Eve last season against the New York Giants and the first three-turnover game since the historic comeback against the Indianapolis Colts.
With all of the turnover woes that have plagued the Vikings, seeing Minnesota even the score with three turnovers of their own was encouraging to see.
Stock down: T.J. Hockenson
In the box score, T.J. Hockenson is the leading receiver on the Vikings. He caught 75% of his targets and gained 50 yards in a game where yards were at a premium.
However, watching the game, Hockenson did not have a good day.
He had a drop in the middle of the field when the Vikings were trying to get momentum going. He had an abysmal holding call on cornerback Jaylon Johnson, which took away momentum from the running game.
With Jefferson out, he looked ready to be a key contributor to the offense. However, his subpar play held the offense back in certain spots. Something that can’t continue with Jefferson out for at least the next three weeks.
Stock up: Brian Flores
Flores’ plan to slow down this Chicago offense was apparent and effective throughout the day.
D.J. Moore was held to only 51 yards on five receptions.
The defense got to Fields and Bagent five times and got eight total hits on the quarterbacks.
The two quarterbacks combined for 113 total yards and two interceptions on the day. Flores made whoever was playing quarterback uncomfortable and it led to a key defensive touchdown and two more interceptions on top of it.
It all started with the leader of the defense, Jordan Hicks, having ten total tackles, a pass deflection, an interception and the all-important scoop-and-score touchdown.
Stock down: Run defense
The Bears’ running game was able to have more success than expected against a Minnesota run defense that had been stout thus far.
Chicago was able to run for 162 yards on 36 carries, which is good for 4.5 yards per carry, the most since Philadelphia’s 5.4 in week two.
While the defense had an overall great day, the running game kept the Bears in the game. Chicago was able to continuously bounce runs to the outside using a variety of runners with the loss of their top-two rushing options due to injury.
Stock up: K.J. Osborn
With the passing offense not being on the same page, Osborn stepped up and made some key plays for the Vikings.
His four receptions for 48 yards were in key situations during the game and he showed himself to be a reliable target in this offense. Coming into today, this was not the case.
Osborn had some bad drops through the first five games of this season. Against Chicago, he consistently got open in the pockets of the defense. He, Hockenson and Addison will be called upon more as Minnesota traverses the offense without Jefferson.
Stock down: Alexander Mattison
Mattison looked uninspiring against this Chicago front as he ran for only 44 yards on 18 carries.
This offense is going to rely on balance to keep defenses on their toes more than usual and 2.4 yards a carry is not going to get the job done.
He missed some key pass-blocking opportunities and didn’t do much to help the passing game.
Another lackluster performance like this could have O’Connell wonder what all he has in Cam Akers.
