Week 18 recap: Chicago Bears finish their season 6-11 after collapsing in a 31-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings
The Chicago Bears added a few more maddening moments to a season filled with them as they went into the offseason with a 31-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium.
In what could have been the last game for coach Matt Nagy, the Bears offense put together several good drives, but quarterback Andy Dalton was sacked three times on fourth down, including on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line. Dalton, who was filling in while Justin Fields was out with COVID-19, also threw a pick-six — one of his two interceptions — on fourth-and-1.
Dalton was sacked seven times. He completed 33 of 48 passes for 325 yards with a touchdown and the two interceptions. David Montgomery had 20 carries for 72 yards. And wide receiver Darnell Mooney had 12 catches for 126 yards as he topped 1,000 receiving yards in his second season.
A Bears defense that held the Vikings to 87 net yards in the first half allowed Kirk Cousins to throw three big touchdown passes in the second half as the Vikings surged back from 11 points down at halftime.
Cousins completed 14 of 22 passes for 250 yards and three touchdowns and was sacked three times. Dalvin Cook rushed for 79 yards on 14 carries.
The Vikings opened the third quarter with a 75-yard scoring drive. That included Cook’s 25-yard run and a 44-yard touchdown pass from Cousins to Ihmir Smith-Marsette. Bears defensive back Marqui Christian fell on the play, leaving Smith-Marsette wide open for the catch.
The Vikings tied it at 17-17 on Cousins’ 45-yard touchdown pass to Justin Jefferson with 13:35 to play. Jefferson got behind Eddie Jackson, who didn’t turn to see the pass coming and didn’t move to break up the catch.
And they went ahead on Cousins’ 21-yard pass to K.J. Osborn with 8:11 to play.
After turning the ball over on fourth down twice in the first half, the Bears did so again at the 1-yard line in the third quarter.
On third-and-goal at the 8, Dalton ran for what was originally ruled a touchdown. But replay showed Dalton’s knee was down at the 1. Instead of having Montgomery try to run the ball on fourth down, Dalton was sacked for a 15-yard loss.
The Bears were down by a touchdown on fourth-and-1 at the Bears 49 when Dalton threw an interception to cornerback Patrick Peterson, who returned it 66 yards for a touchdown and a 31-17 lead.
Blake Lynch intercepted Dalton again two plays into the Bears’ next drive.
Here’s more coverage from the last game of the season.
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3 takeaways from the Bears’ season-ending loss, including Darnell Mooney wanting more and a possible future with David Montgomery running on fourth-and-1
Column: When the ax swings at Halas Hall this week, which Bears leaders will be left standing? For now, Chicago must wait.
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Inactives announced
Bears outside linebacker Robert Quinn and nose tackle Eddie Goldman will play against the Vikings after they were listed as questionable Friday. Quinn, who set the Bears’ single-season sacks record last week, is dealing with a shoulder injury, and Goldman has a finger injury.
Justin Fields remains on the reserve/COVID-19 list and so will not play.
As was previously announced, defensive lineman Akiem Hicks will miss what could be his last game with the Bears as he continues his recovery from a nagging ankle injury.
Cornerback Duke Shelley (heel), offensive linemen Elijah Wilkinson and Lachavious Simmons and running back Ryan Nall are also inactive for the Bears.
For the Vikings, quarterback Kellen Mond, cornerbacks Mackensie Alexander and Kris Boyd, running back Wayne Gallman, tight end Zach Davidson, guard Wyatt Davis and defensive tackle Michael Pierce are inactive.
Latest Bears buzz on Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace
The Tribune’s Brad Biggs reported Friday that while Nagy is expected to be fired Sunday or Monday following the season finale, the buzz around the league is the Bears could retain general manager Ryan Pace in some role.
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Halftime: Bears 14, Vikings 3
The Bears defense held the Vikings to 87 net yards in the first half to fuel a 14-3 halftime lead at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Bears quarterback Andy Dalton hit a wide-open Damien Williams with a 23-yard touchdown pass with 31 seconds to play in the second quarter, and Allen Robinson caught the two-point conversion pass for the 14-0 lead.
Bears kicker Cairo Santos made fields goals from 43 and 46 yards out on the Bears’ first and fourth drives of the half.
Meanwhile, Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins completed 5 of 10 passes for 78 yards and was sacked twice, and running back Dalvin Cook gained 12 yards on six carries. Cousins had 65 of those passing yards on the final drive of the half, which ended with Greg Joseph’s 39-yard field goal.
The Bears turned the ball over on fourth down twice in the half.
They went for it on fourth down twice on their second drive. David Montgomery ran for 4 yards on fourth-and-1. But Dalton later was sacked for a loss of 15 yards on a fourth-and-5 blitz, giving the Vikings the ball at midfield.
The Bears defense came through with the stop following that play. Sam Kamara had a tackle for a loss against Dalvin Cook to push the Vikings into third-and-13. And Angelo Blackson took down Cousins while Trevis Gipson stripped the ball, pushing the Vikings out of field-goal range.
The Bears put together another solid drive on their next possession. But on fourth-and-1 from the 13, the Bears opted to pass rather than call a play for Montgomery, and Dalton was sacked again.
Filling in for Justin Fields, who is out with COVID-19, Dalton threw for 162 yards. Montgomery had 61 rushing yards. And Darnell Mooney had six catches for 71 yards to hit 1,000 receiving yards in his second season.
