Minnesota Stuns Chicago in Overtime Win
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Andy Lyons/Getty Images(MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.) — Blair Walsh made a 34-yard field goal with 1:43 remaining in overtime to give the Vikings a 23-20 win over division rival Chicago on Sunday. The win puts Minnesota at 3-8-1 while dropping the Bears to 6-6 and a full game outside of first place in the NFC North.
A back-and-forth contest saw Minnesota lead 7-6 at halftime. That advantage would not hold up as the Bears got two touchdown receptions from Alshon Jeffery in the third quarter to go ahead 20-10. Jeffery finished the day with 249 receiving yards on 12 catches and two touchdowns. Backup quarterback Josh McCown, who started for an injured Jay Cutler, totaled 355 passing yards to go along with the two scores.
The Vikings would storm back in the fourth, reeling off 10 straight points to force overtime. Matt Cassel, another quarterback playing in place of an injured starter, threw for 243 yards and an interception but did find Greg Jennings for a fourth quarter touchdown to help in the comeback.
Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson again carried the load, rushing for 211 yards on 35 carries. The fifth 200-yard game of Peterson’s career helped him eclipse the 10,000 career yard plateau. Last year’s MVP becomes the third faster player to reach that mark behind only Eric Dickerson and Jim Brown.
Walsh had connected on a 39-yard attempt earlier in the extra period, but that was waved off after a penalty and the ensuing 57-yard try went wide. The Bears then had a chance to win the contest but Robbie Gould missed a 47-yarder that left the door open for the Vikings.
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