The Chicago Bears defeated the Minnesota Vikings 19-17 on November 16, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium. Cairo Santos kicked a 48-yard field goal as time expired after Devin Duvernay’s 56-yard kickoff return. The Bears forced two interceptions while Caleb Williams threw for 193 yards.
Game Overview and Final Score
The Bears escaped Minneapolis with a 19-17 victory in a game that came down to the final seconds. After the Vikings scored a go-ahead touchdown with 50 seconds remaining, Devin Duvernay delivered a 56-yard kickoff return that set up Santos for the game-winner.
Chicago built a 16-3 lead entering the fourth quarter before Minnesota mounted a comeback. The Vikings scored two touchdowns in the final period, including Jordan Addison’s 15-yard reception from J.J. McCarthy with 56 seconds left, making the score 27-24.
Quarter-by-Quarter Scoring: Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears
- 1st Quarter: Vikings 3, Bears 0
- 2nd Quarter: Vikings 3, Bears 10
- 3rd Quarter: Vikings 3, Bears 16, a critical moment in the week 11 NFL game.
- 4th Quarter: Vikings 17, Bears 19, a tight finish in the head-to-head competition.
The game featured five field goals from Santos, who made kicks from 38, 54, 33, and 48 yards while missing once from 45. His performance proved decisive in a low-scoring divisional matchup.
Quarterback Performance Breakdown
Caleb Williams completed 16 of 32 passes for 193 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. The Bears’ rookie played conservatively, managing the game while letting his defense create opportunities.
Williams scrambled four times for 26 yards, including a 16-yard run that showcased his mobility. His 68.9 passer rating reflected an efficient but unspectacular performance focused on ball security.
J.J. McCarthy struggled with accuracy, completing 16 of 32 attempts for 150 yards with one touchdown and two costly interceptions. McCarthy’s 47.7 passer rating told the story of a quarterback still finding his rhythm.
The Vikings signal-caller threw into dangerous coverage twice in the second quarter, resulting in picks by Kevin Byard and Nahshon Wright. McCarthy showed resilience by leading a late scoring drive, but the early mistakes proved too damaging.
Williams vs McCarthy: Tale of Two Quarterbacks
Williams protected the football while McCarthy took risks. The Bears quarterback has now played 10 games without a lost fumble and just four interceptions total, contributing to the team’s victory over the Vikings. McCarthy’s aggressive approach led to big plays but also backbreaking turnovers.
Both quarterbacks averaged similar completion percentages (50%), but Williams’ decision-making gave Chicago the edge. The Bears are now 7-3 with a plus-16 turnover margin, while the Vikings fell to 4-6 with continued quarterback development challenges, as they prepare for their next game in 2025 on ESPN.
Rushing Attack Statistics
D’Andre Swift carried 21 times for 90 yards, providing consistent ground production that reflected well in the team stats. Swift averaged 4.3 yards per carry and added a critical 7-yard run late that moved the ball into safer field goal range for Santos.
Kyle Monangai contributed 12 carries for 23 yards and scored Chicago’s only touchdown on a 1-yard plunge. His goal-line conversion capped a 15-play, 74-yard drive that consumed over eight minutes in the second quarter.
Aaron Jones led Minnesota with 16 carries for 70 yards (4.4 average), contributing to the team’s stats in the NFL game. Jones also caught three passes for 11 yards, showing versatility despite the loss.
Jordan Mason added 6 carries for 45 yards (7.5 average) and scored on a 16-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Mason’s explosive play brought the Vikings within one score and sparked the comeback attempt.
Rushing Comparison:
- Bears: 39 attempts, 140 yards (3.6 avg)
- Vikings: 22 attempts, 115 yards (5.2 avg)
Minnesota’s higher per-carry average reflected fewer attempts but more explosive runs. Chicago controlled the clock with a heavier rushing workload.
Receiving Leaders and Passing Targets
Cole Kmet led the Bears with 5 receptions for 45 yards on five targets, playing a key role in the game summary. The tight end provided a reliable outlet, converting first downs in key third-down situations, crucial for the Vikings’ performance in week 11.
Rome Odunze caught 2 of 6 targets for 41 yards, including a 24-yard reception. Colston Loveland added 3 catches for 40 yards, spreading the targets among multiple receivers.
Justin Jefferson paced Minnesota with 5 catches for 61 yards on nine targets, but the Bears’ defense effectively limited his impact. Jefferson’s 27-yard reception stood as his longest, though the Bears’ defense limited his big-play opportunities.
T.J. Hockenson secured 3 receptions for 39 yards, while Jordan Addison caught the game-tying touchdown among his 2 receptions for 20 yards, making it a memorable moment in the game summary. Addison’s score gave Minnesota a brief lead before the Bears’ final drive.
Target Distribution: Key players like Jefferson and Addison were crucial in the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears match.
- Jefferson received 9 targets (most for Vikings)
- Addison saw 7 targets despite only 2 catches, illustrating the challenges faced by the Vikings’ offense against the Bears defense.
- Bears spread targets more evenly (5 to Kmet, 6 to Odunze)
McCarthy’s 32 targets matched Williams’s, but completion locations differed, as reflected in the box score. The Bears quarterback found receivers in safer areas while McCarthy pushed downfield more aggressively.
Defensive Standouts and Turnovers
Kevin Byard recorded one interception and returned it 23 yards, setting up a field goal. The veteran safety read McCarthy’s eyes and jumped a route intended for Jefferson.
Nahshon Wright secured his second interception of McCarthy this season, this time leaping to grab a poorly thrown fade in the end zone during the finale. Wright’s pick prevented a potential Vikings touchdown before halftime.
Blake Cashman led all tacklers with 15 total tackles (6 solo). The Vikings linebacker stayed active throughout, though his unit couldn’t prevent the Bears from controlling possession.
Noah Sewell topped Chicago with 10 tackles (4 solo), while Tremaine Edmunds added 9 tackles and a quarterback hit. The Bears’ defense held Minnesota to just 265 total yards.
Turnover Impact:
- Bears: 2 interceptions, 0 turnovers, showcasing their defensive stats in this NFL game.
- Vikings: 0 takeaways, 2 interceptions
Chicago’s plus-2 turnover margin fits their season pattern. The Bears entered the game with a league-leading plus-16 differential, and this game pushed them to plus-18.
How Chicago’s Defense Secured the Win
The Bears’ defense stepped up when the offense stalled. After McCarthy’s two interceptions, Chicago converted both into points, building the 13-point cushion that nearly held.
Minnesota’s offense managed just 3 points through three quarters despite averaging 5.2 yards per carry, a disappointing stat in this week’s 11th matchup. The Bears limited explosive plays and forced McCarthy into difficult throwing situations.
Pass rush pressure disrupted timing on several plays. Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner each recorded a sack, keeping McCarthy uncomfortable. The Vikings quarterback faced constant pressure that led to rushed decisions.
Special Teams Impact
Cairo Santos converted 4 of 5 field goal attempts, including kicks from 54, 38, 33, and 48 yards, highlighting his importance in the Bears’ strategy against the Vikings. His long-range accuracy kept Chicago ahead when touchdowns proved difficult, showcasing his effectiveness as a pro QB in the NFL game.
Santos’ lone miss came from 45 yards with 8:08 remaining, nearly costly as Minnesota scored twice afterward, altering the box score. His redemption came on the game-winner from 48 yards as time expired.
Devin Duvernay’s 56-yard kickoff return changed the game’s trajectory, a highlight in the Bears’ effort to secure a victory over the Vikings. With 50 seconds left and needing a field goal, Duvernay’s return to the Vikings’ 41-yard line gave Chicago excellent field position.
Myles Price handled return duties for Minnesota, averaging 23.3 yards on four kickoff returns and 26.3 yards on three punt returns, contributing to the overall team stats in the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears matchup. Price’s 43-yard punt return was his longest, providing decent field position for the Bears’ squad.
Special Teams Comparison:
- Bears kicking: 4/5 FG (Santos)
- Vikings kicking: 1/1 FG, 2/2 XP (Reichard)
- Duvernay’s return yardage: 67 total (56 KR, 11 PR)
- Price’s return yardage: 172 total (93 KR, 79 PR)
Punters traded decent efforts, each contributing to the overall highlight of the game. Tory Taylor averaged 47.7 yards on six punts for Chicago, while Ryan Wright averaged 49.5 yards on six punts for Minnesota.
Key Statistical Takeaways
The Bears dominated possession, holding the ball for 36:59 compared to Minnesota’s 23:01. Chicago’s longer drives kept the Vikings’ offense off the field and defense on it.
Third-down conversions favored Chicago 7-of-18 (38.9%) over Minnesota’s 3-of-11 (27.3%), impacting the team stats significantly. The Bears converted more chances despite a lower percentage than ideal.
Total yardage showed Chicago’s control: 320 yards to Minnesota’s 265 in this thrilling finale. The Bears generated more plays (73 to 54) and controlled tempo throughout.
Penalty yards hurt Chicago (6 penalties for 40 yards) compared to Minnesota (2 penalties for 15 yards). Clean play by the Vikings couldn’t overcome turnover troubles.
Efficiency Metrics:
- Bears red zone: 1-of-2 (50%)
- Vikings red zone: 2-of-3 (67%), a critical stat in their performance against Chi.
- Bears’ time of possession: 61.6%
- Vikings’ time of possession: 38.4%, a statistic that reflects their struggle against the Bears defense.
The numbers reveal a game where Chicago played keep-away while Minnesota sought explosive plays. The Bears’ methodical approach proved more effective despite the Vikings’ late surge.
Williams’ turnover-free performance marked his 10th straight game without a lost fumble, a notable stat for any QB. Combined with just 4 interceptions in 10 games, the rookie’s ball security stands as his defining trait.
McCarthy’s development continues with mixed results. His willingness to attack downfield creates opportunities but also costly mistakes. The interceptions came from forcing throws under pressure rather than reading defenses properly.
Chicago improved to 7-3 and stayed competitive in the NFC North. Minnesota dropped to 4-6, facing an uphill battle for playoff contention. The divisional loss further complicated the Vikings’ season outlook, affecting their head-to-head stats against Chi.
The game showcased how turnovers decide close matchups. Chicago’s defense created pressure and capitalized on mistakes while Williams played error-free football. Minnesota’s comeback fell short because early turnovers created too large a deficit.
Santos’ clutch kicking and Duvernay’s return gave Chicago the final-minute heroics needed. The Bears have now won five games decided by five points or fewer, showing a knack for close finishes.
For the Vikings, McCarthy showed flashes but needs consistency. The offense moved the ball when given time, but the Bears’ defense couldn’t generate takeaways to match Chicago’s opportunistic unit, which is crucial for success in the 2025 NFL season.
This rivalry game delivered drama even without offensive fireworks, reminiscent of classic Chicago Bears vs Minnesota Vikings matchups. The Bears’ 19-17 win came through defense, special teams, and ball security—a formula that’s carried them to seven wins.
