The Chicago Bears did not advance the ball past their own 33-yard line until the final play of the third quarter.
That’s how impenetrable the defense was on a day when the Minnesota Vikings clinched a bye week in the playoffs with a 23-10 win over their division rival.
Chicago managed just one first down in the first half behind rookie quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, who also took a safety in the second quarter when he intentionally grounded the football from his own end zone.
The Bears had just 86 total yards through three quarters — and 101 penalty yards in that same span.
Their first-half rushing total? Minus-1 yard.
The Vikings’ final act? A goal-line stand in which the Vikings stopped the Bears four consecutive plays from the 2-yard line after Danielle Hunter had jumped offsides on a previous fourth down to extend the drive.
On a day when the Vikings offense was lackadaisical at times, the defense stole the show, as it has now for three consecutive weeks.
The Vikings have not allowed an offensive touchdown in the first three quarters since Week 14. Chicago’s only score in the first half came on a trick punt return by Bryce Callahan that fooled Minnesota’s coverage.
“I think the sky’s the limit for our defense,” said defensive end Brian Robison. “I’m hoping that we haven’t played our best game yet. … Hopefully we’re getting hot at the right time.”
The Vikings finished the season with the best scoring defense in the NFL, allowing 15.8 points per game.
Chicago was a paltry 1 for 12 on third down, solidifying the Vikings as the best third-down defense since the league began tracking the statistic in 1991 (25.2 percent).
“When corners can cover, safeties can blitz and pressure, linebackers can blitz and cover, and the defensive line can rush, it’s important,” said head coach Mike Zimmer. “We spend an awful lot of time at it, and I don’t think we do anything fancy. I think we’ve just got good players.”
The accolades are numerous for this defensive unit, which has been stifling on its home field. The Vikings will host a Divisional Round playoff game at U.S. Bank Stadium, where they have a 7-1 record and have held opponents to 12.5 points per game on the season; and never more than 19.
“This place is crazy hard for teams to come and in play,” said quarterback Case Keenum.
The defense has been characterized by veterans that refuse to plateau and young guns that have begun to ascend. Everson Griffen, Linval Joseph, Harrison Smith and Xavier Rhodes are playing as dominantly as ever after recent extensions, while Trae Waynes, Anthony Barr and even Mackensie Alexander have taken their game to new heights.
There is no apparent weakness on the Vikings defense, which allowed fewer than 200 yards passing for a fifth consecutive week.
“When I sit on the sideline,” said running back Latavius Murray, “and watch the way those guys fly around and just how hard it is for an offense to even do anything — run the ball, pass the ball — I say, ‘Man, I’m lucky.’ I don’t want to be running up against those guys.”
Offense not content
While the Vikings never trailed in Sunday’s game — and benefited greatly from 10 Bears penalties — the offense left something to be desired in its final tuneup before the playoffs.
Keenum converted 21 of 29 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown while committing no turnovers, but he struggled stringing together throws to sustain drives. His finest toss was a 15-yard touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs in the back of the end zone in the third quarter.
The Vikings were just 5 of 13 on third down.
“A few shots that we missed we normally hit,” said Keenum. “Just being a tick off here and there. We have to be better on third downs.”
???? RED ZONE ????@casekeenum7 throws a dart to @stefondiggs for the touchdown. #CHIvsMIN #Skol pic.twitter.com/hv9RdPjHUb
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 31, 2017
Playing with a scrambled offensive line that was missing rookie center Pat Elflein, the offense looked disjointed for stretches, particularly late in the first half when the Vikings punted on three straight drives, gaining just one first down in the process.
Punter Ryan Quigley made a season-high eight punts, pinning five of them inside the 20.
The Vikings’ first two touchdowns came on 1-yard plunges in the first half by Murray, who ended the season with eight touchdowns, six of which came from one or two yards out. Murray concluded Sunday’s game with 111 yards, his second 100-yard output of the season, to give the offense balance.
CHOO ???? CHOO ????
That’s ✌️ for @LataviusM. #CHIvsMIN pic.twitter.com/5W5qcnFvw9
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 31, 2017
The passing game may be a small concern, however, as it has now averaged less than 200 yards per game over the last five weeks.
“I think there’s more out there for us,” said Keenum. “I think we’re all still hungry. Every position group is hungry and knows that we can play better.”
When Minnesota had its bye in Week 9, the Vikings came out and scored 92 points in their next three games. They’ll look for similar success during their self scout this week as they await their first playoff opponent.
But heading into the playoffs, it’s clear which side of the ball represents the team’s identity.
