” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/badwin.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=679,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/badwin.jpg”> Monday Night Football didn\u2019t put the Minnesota Vikings in a good place during primetime. The national spotlight was on an 11-win team that everyone continues to doubt. Despite an 18-point victory<\/a>, it was hardly their best performance. That\u2019s definitely a good thing.<\/p>\n At no point throughout Monday night\u2019s contest against the Chicago Bears did it seem like the Vikings were threatened. Minnesota continued to have a stranglehold on the game, and they never really did anything impressive.<\/p>\n ” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/USATSI_25004194_168394844_lowres.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/USATSI_25004194_168394844_lowres.jpg” src=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/USATSI_25004194_168394844_lowres.jpg” alt> There were dropped passes, interceptions, and poor execution for Kevin O\u2019Connell\u2019s squad. Against a better opponent, that could have spelled disaster. On Monday against the hapless Chicago Bears, though, it was the recipe for a thumping victory.<\/p>\n Minnesota held Caleb Williams to just 191 yards on 31 passes. He threw a touchdown and didn\u2019t throw an interception, but Jonathan Greenard knocked him silly enough to force a fumble. D\u2019Andre Swift had more success running the football this time around and turned in 79 yards on the ground. No Bears receiver surpassed the century mark.<\/p>\n ” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/USATSI_25004666.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/USATSI_25004666.jpg” src=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/USATSI_25004666.jpg” alt> O\u2019Connell called upon his quarterback, Sam Darnold<\/a>, early and often. He threw the ball 40 times and racked up 231 yards through the air. His interception was an ugly one but wound up being inconsequential. Overall, he protected the football and continued to put his team in positions to win. Aaron Jones did his part on the ground, and he held onto the football while scoring a touchdown.<\/p>\n After being held down by Chicago last time around, Justin Jefferson found room to operate. His 73 yards paced Minnesota\u2019s receiving corps, and he would have been close to 100 had he held onto what looked like a walk-in touchdown.<\/p>\n ” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/USATSI_25005606.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/USATSI_25005606.jpg” src=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/USATSI_25005606.jpg” alt=”Bad Game”> For whatever reason, there was never a point where the Vikings looked dominant. That didn\u2019t stop them from having a commanding position throughout the game. That\u2019s a very positive reality. Good teams can win ugly, and great teams can make it look like an accident. The Vikings grabbed their 12th win of the season on Monday night and did it with a workmanlike effort.<\/p>\n Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He\u2019s active on <\/em>Twitter<\/em><\/a> and writes daily for <\/em>Minnesota Sports Fan<\/em><\/a>. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/main><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\u201cBad Game\u201d Still Translates to Strong Win for Vikings<\/h4>\n
Dec 16, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings fullback C.J. Ham (30) warms up before the game against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.<\/p>\n
Dec 16, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) is sacked by Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard (58) in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.<\/p>\n
Dec 16, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings safety Camryn Bynum (24) celebrates after the game against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.<\/p>\n
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