Week 11 NFL Deep Dive: Santos Kicks The Bears Past The Vikings

By Peter Mann

Having opposed each other on the opening day, at Soldier Field, Chicago, two of the NFC North franchises, Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears, collided again this past weekend in week eleven, a contest that was as similarly close, and which provided the backdrop for our Deep Dive.

Back in early September the Vikings edged a 27-24 game in Chicago, a result that would, thus far, be one of only three defeats the Bears have suffered this season; fast-forward to mid-November and the Bears would exact revenge in a 19-17 game at the U.S. Bank Stadium.

For the Bears, now 7-3, and Head Coach Ben Johnson, the victory was another step en-route to putting the Chicago franchise into the play-offs for only the fourth time since losing Super Bowl XLI against Indianapolis Colts, and only the seventh time this side of the millennium.

In Johnson, his first season as a head coach having spent the decade plus on the coaching staff at first Miani Dolphins (2012-18), then Detroit Lions (2019-24), they have someone with experience pretty much across the field and who cites, among others, John Shoop (now in Europe following spells with Hamburg Sea Devils, Munich Ravens, Rhein Fire, current HC of Nordic Storm) as influences.

Meanwhile, Johnson’s opposite number, Kevin O’Connell, who inflicted defeat one, in game one, is in his fourth season in Minnesota, it also being his first HC posting and having a decade of coaching experience himself with Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, Washington Redskins, and the Los Angeles Rams, brings much to the game.

September’s clash at Soldier Field saw Vikings quarterback, JJ McCarthy come out on top in his duel with Caleb Williams, the 22-year-old former Michigan Wolverines player posting 13/20, 143yds, 2TDs (pass), 2cars, 25yds, 1TD (rush), the latter being a 14yd score to put his side in a game-winning position.

Fast-forward to now, and in a role reversal at the U.S Bank Stadium, the Bears just about had McCarthy’s number, whilst Williams was tied up, the return contest decided more with the boot of Brazilian kicker, Cairo Santos, than anything else.

The 34-year-old veteran was undrafted from Tulane Green Wave back in 2014, but has since forged a career over the past dozen seasons at Kansas City (2014-17), and briefly with Los Angeles Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Tennessee Titans, before returning to the Bears in 2020 (he was with them for two games in 2017).

But for a missed field goal attempt in the fourth quarter, the margin of two points in which the Bears won this one by, would have just slightly wider, but Santos saw them home anyway, that and interceptions from defensive back Kevin Byard III, and cornerback Nahshon Wright, along with wide receiver Devin Duvernay clutch return, in the second, third and fourth quarters respectively, certainly helped matters.

The Vikings found themselves restricted to an opening quarter, 31yd FG from Will Reichard, with 2:10 remaining, as their only score through three quarters of the game; the Bears placed the Vikings pretty much on shut-out notice.

A late, fourth quarter rally from the hosts, nearly, very nearly, brought all of the Bears’ hard work to a crashing halt though as running back Kyle Monangai moved the Bears ahead with a rushing score from close range with under five of the first half remaining.

Bears DB, Byard, inflicted the first decisive moment of the game on the Vikings when he intercepted McCarthy’s pass to wide receiver Justin Jefferson; the former Titans 2016 third round draft pick now well into the 30s on career interceptions to date.

Santos then extended the Bears advantage to 10-3 with a successful, 38yd FG attempt, Johnson’s charges going in at the half on that mark; the Vikings looked to break through in the opening exchanges of the third quarter but CB Wright put himself in the way of McCarthy’s deep toss to his other wide receiver, Jordan Addison.

The Bears took advantage, well Santos did at least, registering first a 54yd then 33yd FG attempts, the visitors extending their lead to 16-3, with a quarter remaining; the Bears could well be forgiven if they thought that lightning was striking twice though.

Back in September, the Vikings posted 21pts in the fourth quarter to overturn a 17-6 deficit for the win, and, with their undrafted, rookie wide receiver, Myles Price, growing into the game the more it wore on, they hosts came close.

Running back Jordan Mason took advantage of a huge, Jefferson block, to rush into the end zone from 15yds, with 12:33 remaining, to move within six points, and, as Santos MISSED his fourth FG attempt, from 45yds, with a little over eight minutes remaining, hopes of another comeback win were raised.

The Vikings, inside the final minute, edged their noses in-front when he connected with Addison for another 15yd score, before five-year WR, Duvernay, came up with a stunning, 57yd clutch return to put the Bears on the cusp of field goal range.

A third-round draft pick by Baltimore Ravens in 2020, Duvernay moved to Jacksonville Jaguars for the 2024 season, before joining the Bears earlier this year; Duvernay’s return was the catalyst for the Bears’ game-winning score, Santos coming up trumps when it mattered with a 48yd FG attempt, and sealed what felt like a huge win in the NFC North.

Statistically, the Vikings saw the following registered – JJ McCarthy 16/32, 150yds, 1TD (pass); Jordan Mason 6cars, 45yds, 1TD (rush); Jordan Addison 20yds, 1TD (rec); Will Reichard 1/1, 31lng, 2/2PATs

Meanwhile, the Bears would register as follows – Caleb Williams 16/32, 193yds; Kyle Monangai 12cars, 23yds, 1TD (rush); Cairo Santos 4/5, 54lng, 1/1PAT

Upcoming for the two, NFC North franchises, as the regular season moves towards the home straight, sees the divisional leading Bears hosting the 6-4 Pittsburgh Steelers (1st in AFC North) in what will be a huge clash, and a marker of Johnson’s sides’ potential, at Soldier Field; meanwhile the floundering Vikings face another of the NFC North sides, the second place, 6-3-1 Green Bay Packers, at Lambeau Field.

PETER MANN

NFL ANALYST

PETER IS A LIFELONG SPORTS FAN, JOURNALIST AND AUTHOR BASED IN COUNTY DURHAM. HE HAS FOLLOWED THE NFL AND THE RAIDERS SINCE THE 1980s, AND LOVES BOTH SPORTS AND FAMILY HISTORY. PETER HAS A DEGREE IN SPORT & EXERCISE PSYCHOLOGY, AND CAN BE FOUND ON TWITTER @petermannwriter

 
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