The Chicago Bears hosted the Minnesota Vikings in a showdown Sunday night that was going to go a long way in deciding the fate of the NFC North.
In the biggest game in Soldier Field in recent memory, the fans answered the call and were rowdy all four quarters. The defense was tenacious and the offense was good enough to allow Cody Parkey to have a well-deserved redemption game.
While the Bears were able to pick up their signature win and silence the haters, Mitch Trubisky can’t say the same.
Trubisky wasn’t awful Sunday night, but his interceptions were on two of his worst throws he’s had in a month.
Aside from those turnovers, he made some elusive runs that we’re getting used to seeing weekly and made some throws that made him the second overall draft pick in 2017.
The defense was able to bail him out of his turnovers behind big games from Akiem Hicks, Khalil Mack and Eddie Jackson, just to name a few.
Hicks had his best game of the season as he was able to collect five tackles for loss and a sack, as he was a nightmare for opposing quarterback Kirk Cousins all night long. It was another typical “Khalil Mack” game as he collected another sack, forced and recovered a fumble to add to his impressive season.
Jackson had the play of the night with a crucial pick-six in the fourth quarter, as he continues to be an anchor for this secondary. The defense as a whole was excellent, and it’s hard to find any real complaints moving forward although you could say that their second-half performance is worrisome.
Despite an underwhelming offensive performance, some questionable penalties against the defense and getting outscored 20-11 in the second half, the Bears were able to walk away victorious and collect their seventh win of the season on national television.
Against an impressive opponent like the Vikings, that’s saying something and the rest of the NFL should take notice.
For now, the Bears should enjoy this enormous victory, but not for too long as they need to refocus for Detroit as the Lions will be seeking revenge on Thanksgiving. There will either be serious breathing room in the division this time next week or the Bears could be in a dogfight to the end.
Regardless, let the haters and pessimists dissect Trubisky’s mistakes and worry about how the defense gave up 17 points in the fourth quarter because, at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter.
This team is 7-3, they finally picked up that signature win, and their path to the playoffs is clearer than any of us imagined it would be in August.
Let’s talk after Detroit, but you should be feeling great about this team and their chances to win the division.
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