The Chicago Bears defeated the Minnesota Vikings, 19-17, on a last-second field goal by kicker Cairo Santos to win their third straight game and advance to 7-3. It also marked Chicago’s first NFC North win (1-2) this season.
The Bears continue to find ways to win close games in the fourth quarter, and this was another sloppy example. Chicago’s offense settled for field goals instead of touchdowns — attempting four before the game-winner — which almost cost them the game. Luckily, the Vikings’ offense struggled mightily with J.J. McCarthy leading the charge, and the Bears defense was able to capitalize with a pair of takeaways. While Cairo Santos was almost the face of this loss — with missing a 45-yard field goal — he proved to be the savior. Another game, another unique way that Chicago is winning.
Here’s a look at our studs and duds from the Bears’ Week 11 win over the Vikings:
Stud: K Cairo Santos
For a while there, Cairo Santos was occupying a “dud” spot. But then he kicked the Bears into a 7-3 record and first place in the NFC North. Santos had a huge miss early in the fourth quarter when a 45-yard field goal went wide left. But he redeemed himself on the game-winning 48-yard field goal as time expired. For the most part, Santos was Chicago’s offense as they had to settle for field goals despite being inside the Vikings’ 40-yard line on multiple occasions. Santos made 4-of-5 field goals, including a season-best 54-yarder, and his lone extra point attempt.
Stud: TEs Cole Kmet, Colston Loveland
We finally caught a glimpse of what this 1-2 punch at tight end can do for this Bears offense. On a day where wide receivers were quiet, Cole Kmet and rookie Colston Loveland came alive in the passing game. Kmet, who’s been primarily used as a blocker this season, led the team with five catches for 45 yards, racking up plenty of yards after contact. Loveland, who’s really come alive in these last few games, had three catches for 40 yards, including a huge conversion on third-and-14 in the fourth quarter where he broke tackles.
Stud: RBs D’Andre Swift, Kyle Monangai
The Bears also leaned on their 1-2 punch at running back with D’Andre Swift and rookie Kyle Monangai both playing a key role in this win. Swift led the team with 90 yards on 21 carries, averaging 4.3 yards per carry, and he had some clutch runs late in the game to keep the chains moving. Meanwhile, Monangai’s stats don’t jump off the page — 12 rushes for 23 yards and one touchdown — but he continues to showcase his hard-nosed running style and had some big runs.
Stud: S Kevin Byard
With cornerback Jaylon Johnson sidelined with an injury, safety Kevin Byard has been Chicago’s best defensive back this season. Byard had a huge interception of quarterback J.J. McCarthy late in the second quarter, which set up a Bears field goal to extend the lead to 10-3. Byard now has a league-leading five interceptions this season, and he’s been key to this defense’s takeaway dominance.
Stud: KR Devin Duvernay
I’d be remiss if I didn’t recognize Devin Duvernay for his contributions in this win. The Bears wouldn’t have won this game if not for Duvernay’s massive 56-yard kickoff return to get Chicago up in long field-goal range. The offense didn’t have to do much — they moved the ball nine yards to set Cairo Santos up for the 48-yard game-winner.
Dud: LB Noah Sewell
The Bears defense has had to play without some key players for most of the season, and they’re really feeling the loss of T.J. Edwards, who remains sidelined with hand and hamstring injuries. While Noah Sewell led the team in tackles with 10, he struggled for a second straight game in Edwards’ place. Sewell has been a liability in coverage every week for Chicago, and he also committed a holding call that moved the chains for a struggling Vikings offense. The hope is Edwards returns sooner than later.
Dud: Bears’ red zone offense
Chicago probably should’ve lost this game, and the biggest reason why was the offense’s continued struggles in the red zone (and right outside of it). The Bears were officially 1-for-2 inside the red zone, with Kyle Monangai’s touchdown run. But they had to settle for field goals inside and just outside of the red zone instead of scoring touchdowns. At one point, Chicago was inside Minnesota’s 40-yard line six times and totaled just 19 points, and if not for J.J. McCarthy’s struggles, that’s probably not enough to win the game.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears vs. Vikings: Studs and duds from Chicago’s last-second win
