The Minnesota Vikings left the Windy City with a 19-13 win, but it wasn’t pretty. It never is at Soldier Field. But they couldn’t get much offense going with Justin Jefferson out, even in 55-degree weather and against a Chicago Bears defense that had given up 29.3 points per game. The defense did its job, but Justin Fields went out in Chicago’s first drive of the second half.
In came Tyson Bagent, an undrafted rookie out of Shepard University who last played meaningful football against the Colorado School of Mines. Jordan Hicks came up big, with an interception and a scoop-and-score, and Byron Murphy got his first pick of the year off Bagent. But Minnesota’s defense had to be stout because the offense couldn’t get much going.
Below are five numbers that tell the story of the game.
+2
For the first time this season, the Vikings had a positive turnover differential in a game. Byron Murphy and Hicks had a pick, and Hicks had the scoop-and-score. But T.J. Edwards strip-sacked Cousins, and Trumaine Edmunds recovered it late in the second quarter.
6:56
The Vikings didn’t target Hockenson until 6:56 in the 2nd quarter when Hockenson dropped a diving catch. Hockenson had his first reception with 1:23 left in the second quarter.
57
Joseph entered the game a perfect 4/4 on field goals and extra points. He hit a 53-yard field goal in the 1st quarter and a 51-yarder in the second and was perfect on the year. But Rasheem Green blocked his extra point before the half, and he missed wide right from 57 yards near the end of the third quarter.
15.4%
The Vikings only converted 15.4% of their third downs in Chicago.
11%
Teams that are 2-4 have an 11% chance to make the playoffs all time, compared to 1-5 teams, who have a 2% chance. Kirk Cousins led a Washington team that was one of the last 2-4 teams to make the playoffs.
