Viktor
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- Mar 19, 2019
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2. TOP and POT
The Vikings weren't perfect on Monday night, but they beat the Bears in two key categories that are ultra-important to Zimmer.
Minnesota won the time-of-possession battle in prime time, holding the ball for 35 minutes and 50 seconds compared to 24:10 for Chicago.
And the Vikings took advantage of a pair of Bears turnovers by scoring 10 points off of them.
Harrison Smith had an interception in the first quarter, which led to a 17-yard touchdown catch by Adam Thielen … who snagged it with one hand.
The Vikings later forced a turnover on special teams while trailing 13-7. Josh Metellus recovered a muffed punt, which led to a Dan Bailey field goal.
3. More weird stuff in Chicago
If it seems like odd things always happen for the Vikings in Chicago, Monday night just added to the argument.
First, Kyle Rudolph fumbled on the Vikings opening drive. It was the 10-year veteran's first lost fumble in 137 career games and just his second fumble (the first, in 2014 against Carolina, landed out of bounds). He now has 443 career receptions.
And in the second quarter, Thielen bobbled a pass that was picked up by Bears linebacker Khalil Mack.
They were rare miscues for two of the Vikings most sure-handed players … and a rare interception recorded by a player known more for his sack prowess. That turnover was just Mack's third interception of his career.
The Vikings also led 7-6 at halftime, with the lone touchdown being Thielen's score.
That touchdown was Minnesota's first in a first half at Soldier Field since 2015. The Vikings were shutout in the first half in 2016 and 2017, and managed just three points in 2018 and 2019.