Three keys to the Vikings' 19-13 win over the Bears
The Vikings had Justin Fields under pressure from the first play as their defense made the big plays that mattered.
October 15, 2023 at 9:12PM
LB Jordan Hicks
His interception late in the first half lead to a Jordan Addison touchdown and a 12-6 halftime lead. Hicks' fumble return for a touchdown after Tyson Bagent came into the game when Justin Fields was injured in third quarter gave the Vikings a 19-6 lead that proved to be insurmountable. On both plays, Hicks cleaned up after pressure from his teammates disrupted the Bears quarterback.
Key play
Hunter sack that knocked Fields out of the game
Vikings pressure affected Fields from the very first play, a D.J. Wonnum sack. Danielle Hunter had two of the Vikings' five sacks, and his second one sent Fields out of the game with a right hand injury in the third quarter. Fields was replaced by Bagent, an undrafted rookie from Division II Shepherd University in West Virginia. On his third play, he evaded Harrison Phillips, but Josh Metellus forced the ball loose and Hicks returned it for a TD. Though Bagent efficiently led the Bears offense after his first drive, he ultimately turned the ball over twice while Vikings offense stalled repeatedly in the second half and could not put the Bears away.
Key number
13
The Vikings' giveaway problems are well-known and they had their 13th turnover of the season Sunday. They had only three takeaways entering the Bears game, but had three Sunday, leading to 13 points. In both of their wins this season, the Vikings have scored a defensive touchdown on strip sacks and fumble returns.
Up next
vs. San Francisco, Oct. 23, 7:15 p.m. (ESPN)
The Vikings return home, where they are 0-3, for "Monday Night Football" against the 5-1 49ers, who had looked every bit the best team in the NFL through five weeks. Only a missed last-second field goal Sunday vs. the Browns kept the 49ers from being undefeated. Christian McCaffrey (among the NFL leaders in rushing yards and TDs) and Deebo Samuel also left Sunday's game with injuries. But even if Brian Flores can discombobulate second-year 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, what will the Vikings' struggling offense be able to do against San Francisco's top-3 defense?
2023 schedule and results
Sept. 10: L, 20-17 vs. Tampa Bay
Sept. 14: L, 34-28 at Philadelphia
Sept. 24: L, 28-24 vs. L.A. Chargers
Oct. 1: W, 21-13 at Carolina
Oct. 8: L, 27-20 vs. Kansas City
Oct. 15: W, 19-13 at Chicago
Oct. 23: vs. San Francisco
Oct. 29: at Green Bay
Nov. 5: at Atlanta
Nov. 12: vs. New Orleans
Nov. 19 at Denver
Nov. 27 vs. Chicago
Dec. 10: at Las Vegas
TBA: at Cincinnati
Dec. 24: vs. Detroit
Dec. 31: vs. Green Bay
TBA: at Detroit
Mike Conley was in Minneapolis, where he sounded the Gjallarhorn at the Vikings game, on Sunday during the robbery.
