Vikings escape with 30-27 win over Bears in overtime thriller

CHICAGO — It looked like the Vikings had put the game away for good on Sunday afternoon at Solider Field when a chip shot from kicker Parker Romo sailed through the uprights in the final minutes.

That made it 27-16 in favor of the Vikings with the Chicago Bears needing a miracle. They got it.

After a big kick return put the Bears in very good field position, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams led an impressive drive, throwing a touchdown to receiver Keenan Allen to cut the deficit to 27-24. A blunder by the Vikings on the onside kick allowed the Bears to recover and kicker Cairo Santos nailed a 48-yard field goal as time expired to tie the game at 27-27 and send the game into overtime.

In the extra session, veteran quarterback Sam Darnold took over for the Vikings. He went 6 for 6 on the final drive, setting up kicker Parker Romo for a game-winning field goal that helped the Vikings escaped with a 30-27 win.

It looked like it was going to be a hot start for the Vikings after running back Aaron Jones got loose for a 41-yard gain. He stripped at the goal line a couple of players later, however, marking another missed opportunity for the Vikings in the red zone.

That cracked the door open for the Bears and the mobility of rookie quarterback Caleb Williams took centerstage.

On a particular play, Williams avoided a pressure from Andrew Van Ginkel off the edge, rolled to his right, then dropped a dime to D’Andre Swift along the sideline. That put the Bears in position to score and running back Roschon Johnson found the into the end zone shortly thereafter to make it 7-0.

In need of a response, the Vikings got it almost immediately when Darnold dropped back and unleashed a deep pass to receiver Jordan Addison. It was incredible catch from Addison as he hauled it in while being dragged down from behind. On the very next play, Addison finished the drive, catching a pass in traffic to help the Vikings to tie the game at 7-7.

The vibes shifted in favor of the Vikings on the following possession.

It looked like the Bears had picked up a big gain when receiver Keenan Allen caught a ball along the sideline. After a challenge flag thrown by head coach Kevin O’Connell, however, the officials ruled that Allen did not get both feet in bounds. On the very next play defensive tackle Jerry Tillery blocked a field goal, and the Vikings kept the Bears off the board.

That paved the way for the Vikings to take control as star receiver Justin Jefferson drew a 35-yard defensive pass interference penalty that put the ball in the red zone. A couple of plays later, Darnold found receiver Jalen Nailor for a touchdown to make it 14-7 in favor of the Vikings.

After a punt by the Vikings, the Bears got a field goal Santos to cut the deficit to 14-10 at halftime.

With an opportunity to take control coming out of halftime, Darnold found Addison with a perfect ball near the sideline that went for 69-yard gain. Unfortunately for the Vikings, they stalled out in the red zone, setting for a field goal from kicker Parker Romo stretch the lead to 17-10.

The biggest swing of the game came when receiver DeAndre Carter muffed a punt for the Bears, and edge rusher Bo Richter recovered the fumble for the Vikings. Not long after that, Jones atoned for his fumble with a touchdown to make it 24-10.

After the Bears got a touchdown to cut the deficit to 24-16, it seemed like the Vikings put the game away with a field goal to restore the lead to 27-16.

Not so fast.

After an impressive drive by Williams helped cut the deficit to 27-24, the Bears recovered the an onside kick. That set the stage for Santos to nail a 48-yard field goal to tie the score at 27-27 and send the game into overtime.

In the extra session, the Vikings stepped up on defense by forcing a punt, then stepped up on offense with Darnold leading an impressive drive of his own. That set the stage for Romo and he nailed a 29-yard field goal to give the Vikings the win.