Bears vs. Vikings final score, results: Minnesota gains ground on Lions in NFC North after dominating Chicago

Daniel Chavkin

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Bears vs. Vikings final score, results: Minnesota gains ground on Lions in NFC North after dominating Chicago image

With the Lions losing on Sunday, the Vikings entered Monday's game against the Bears with a chance to gain ground in the NFC North. That's exactly what they did, as Minnesota easily took care of Chicago 30-12 to sweep the season series.

The Vikings controlled this game from start to finish, beginning when the Bears couldn't convert a 4th-and-1 on their first possession, turning it over on downs in their own territory. Minnesota took an early 10-0 lead and never looked back, leading by 13 at halftime and by 17 after three quarters.

Sam Darnold didn't have his best night, but he was effective when it mattered, totaling 231 yards, a touchdown, and an interception on the night. The dynamic duo of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison combined for 14 catches and 136 yards, with Jefferson getting the first score of the game. Aaron Jones added 20 touches for 106 yards and a score.

MORE: Justin Jefferson pays tribute to Randy Moss after 1st-quarter TD

With the win, Minnesota now ties the Lions with a 12-2 record, although Detroit still owns the tiebreaker for now after defeating Minnesota earlier in the year. Those two teams will meet again in the final game of the season, with the winner likely claiming the NFC North crown and, potentially, the NFC's No. 1 seed.

Over the next three weeks, the Lions will play at the Bears, at the 49ers, and vs. the Vikings at home, while Minnesota gets the Seahawks on the road, Packers at home, and Lions on the road. The Eagles will face the Commanders on the road before home games vs. the Cowboys and Giants to end the season.

The Vikings did clinch a playoff spot on Sunday when the Seahawks lost, so regardless of how the final three games shake out, Minnesota will be returning to playoffs after missing the postseason last year.

For the Bears, this marks their eighth straight loss and second with interim head coach Thomas Brown. Chicago still hasn't scored a point in the first half of any game since Nov. 24 against Minnesota.

The Sporting News tracked updates and highlights from this NFC North showdown on "Monday Night Football."

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Bears vs. Vikings score

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Bears003912
Vikings10371030

Who won Bears vs. Vikings last night?

Final: Vikings 30, Bears 12

11:15 p.m.: The Bears elect to run out the clock with under 90 seconds left in the game, as the Vikings will come away with the win!

Vikings 30, Bears 12

11:13 p.m.: FIELD GOAL! Reichard hits his third field goal of the night, this time from 46 yard.

11:11 p.m.: On 3rd-and-10, the Vikings run the ball short of the first down, setting up one more field goal attempt.

11:07 p.m.: Darnold completes to Trent Sherfield on 3rd-and-6 for the first down, as Minnesota continues to run the clock out.

11:04 p.m.: The Bears go for the onside kick, but Minnesota recovers and should be able to ice this game away.

Vikings 27, Bears 12

11:02 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! The Bears finally find the end zone, as Williams completes to Allen for the 16-yard score. After a Vikings penalty on the extra point, the Bears go for the two-point-conversion, but they don't convert.

10:57 p.m.: After escaping the pocket, Caleb Williams completes to Keenan Allen to get into the red zone. Chicago is still looking for their first touchdown of the game.

10:55 p.m.: Chicago's special teams comes up with a big play, blocking the Vikings punt. The Bears offense will get their best field position of the night.

10:54 p.m.: With 6:17 left in the game, the Bears defense are able to stop the Vikings with a sack on third-and-long, and the offense will get the ball back for one last chance.

10:51 p.m.: Up 21 points, Minnesota is bleeding the clock, leaning on Aaron Jones in the backfield. The running back has three carries for 17 yards so far on this drive

10:48 p.m.: In a must-score situation, the Bears go three-and-out, with Vikings rookie pass rusher Dallas Turner sacking Williams on third down to end the drive.

Vikings 27, Bears 6

10:41 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! Cam Akers caps the Minnesota drive with a score, and the Vikings have blown the game wide open.

10:38 p.m.: As the Vikings continued to methodically march down the field, Bears' defensive back Tyrique Stevenson commits pass interference on a deep pass in the end zone. Minnesota is again set up with first-and-goal from the one.

10:35 p.m.: Justin Jefferson takes a screen pass 21 yards on the first play of the new Vikings drive, and Minnesota is already across midfield.

Vikings 20, Bears 6

10:31 p.m.: FIELD GOAL! Santos makes his second field goal of the night, but the Bears are still down two touchdowns.

10:30 p.m.: A false start on third down puts the Bears into 3rd-and-long, and Chicago's offensive drive stalls again.

10:27 p.m.: Williams finds Keenan Allen downfield for a third-down conversion, as Allen makes a very impressive catch to get Chicago back in the red zone.

End of third quarter: Vikings 20, Bears 3

10:23p.m.: The Bears open their ensuing drive with a couple of first down runs, along with two Williams throws to D.J. Moore for a nine-yard completion and a six-yard completion. Chicago is in Minnesota territory as the third quarter ends.

Vikings 20, Bears 3

10:17 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! Jones concludes the drive with a one-yard score, and the Vikings extend their lead to 17.

10:15 p.m.: Darnold and Jefferson connect for a tough 17-yard completion, getting the Vikings a 1st-and-goal from the one-yard line.

10:11 p.m.: Aaron Jones converts three big runs to get Minnesota deep into Chicago territory and back into the red zone. Jones now has 67 rushing yards on 12 carries in the game.

10:09 p.m.: On 3rd-and-7, the Bears commit pass interference tto keep Minnesota's offense on the field instead of forcing another punt.

10:07 p.m.: Another Vikings penalty backs them up 10 yards, as Minnesota begins their drive with a 1st-and-20. However, Minnesota is able to overcome the yardage and get their first first down of the half.

Vikings 13, Bears 3

10:01 p.m.: FIELD GOAL! Cairo Santos gets the Bears on the board with a short field goal.

10:00 p.m.: Another Bears penalty backs the offense up 10 yards, and Chicago is unable to score a touchdown despite getting to the one-yard line.

9:57 p.m.: D'Andre Swift powers the Bears to the goal line, first with a 10-yard run then with a 17-yard run. Swift appears to be able to finish the drive with a one-yard touchdown, but a Bears penalty wipes the score off the board.

9:54 p.m.: Williams completes to Odunze for 29 yards to open the drive, getting Chicago deep into Vikings territory.

9:49 p.m.: Minnesota's offense goes three-and-out for the second-straight drive, this time deep in their own territory as Darnold is forced to throw the ball away on third down. Chicago gets the ball back close to midfield looking to score for the first time tonight.

9:44 p.m.: Chicago's drive stalls as Williams can't complete to Allen on 3rd-and-8, and the Bears are forced to punt again. 

9:42 p.m.: A holding penalty backs the Bears offense back on first down, but it doesn't matter as Caleb Williams finds Keenan Allen for a 26-yard completion to get the first down.

9:35 p.m.: Minnesota goes three-and-out to start the third quarter, in part due to two penalties, as Bears pass rusher Demarcus Walker pressures Darnold on third-and-long to force the incomplete pass. The Vikings will punt for the first time tonight.

9:31 p.m.: We are back from halftime! Vikings open the half with the ball looking to extend their lead.

Halftime: Vikings 13, Bears 0

Vikings 13, Bears 0

9:16 p.m.: FIELD GOAL! The Bears defense holds Minnesota to a field goal attempt before half, and Reichard nails his 31-yard try.

9:11 p.m.: On 3rd-and-13, Hockenson catches a Darnold pass and runs 16 yards to convert the first down and extend the drive.

9:09 p.m.: The Bears sack Darnold for the first time tonight, forcing the Vikings out of field-goal range for the time being. However, with 50 seconds left in the half, Minnesota's drive isn't over.

9:08 p.m.: Darnold is marching the Vikings down the field, as he finds Addison and Hockenson multiple times to get into field goal range.

9:06 p.m.: The Vikings look to get points before half, starting the drive with a Darnold completion to Jefferson. Then, on third down, Darnold finds T.J. Hockenson for the first down to continue the drive.

8:58 p.m.: Chicago chooses to go for it again on 4th-and-short, but just like on the first drive, Swift is unable to get the first down. Minnesota takes over on downs for the second time tonight.

8:55 p.m.: The Bears are leaning on Swift, who gets another first down on two more carries. Then, Williams finds Cole Kmet to get Chicago across midfield.

8:52 p.m.: Chicago initially goes three-and-out, as Williams has nowhere to throw on third down and is forced to run short of the first down. However, the Vikings run into the kicker on the punt, and the Bears get new life on the drive with a first down.

8:46 p.m.: INTERCEPTION! Minnesota chooses to go for it on 4th-and-3 at the Chicago 24, but Darnold throws it into traffic and the Bears force the turnover. It's Tyrique Stevenson who came down with the pick.

8:45 p.m.: Darnold finds Addison along the sideline for  a 16-yard gain, which is then followed by a rare Justin Jefferson drop on what would've been another touchdown.

8:42 p.m.: On 3rd-and-10, Darnold completes to Brandon Powell to extend the drive. That comes after Darnold missed an open Jefferson down the field, which would've been for a big gain.

End of first quarter: Vikings 10, Bears 0

8:36 p.m.: Cam Akers opens the Vikings ensuing drive with a 10-yard run deep in their own territory. On the next set of downs, Cam Robinson's false start backs the Vikings up to 3rd-and-17, but Darnold dumps the ball off to Aaron Jones who takes the ball 17 yards for the first down.

8:29 p.m.: The Bears get a first down on two runs, one to Swift and another to Travis Homer. However, the drive stalls when Williams can't convert a third-and-long to Rome Odunze. Chicago has to punt for the first time tonight.

Vikings 10, Bears 0

8:22 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! Darnold finds Justin Jefferson in the back of the end zone, and the Vikings now have an early 10-point lead.

8:21 p.m.: Darnold's first completion of the game goes to Jordan Addison, who gets Minnesota into a goal-to-go situation.

8:18p.m.: Two Aaron Jones runs go for a combined 18 yards, and the Vikings are in the red zone for the first time tonight.

8:16 p.m.: FUMBLE! The Bears drive ends abruptly as Jonathan Greenard sacks Williams and forces a fumble, and Blake Cashman recovers for Minnesota. The Vikings again get the ball within the Bears 40.

8:12 p.m.: Wide receiver D.J. Moore gets two rushes to open the drive, combining for 18 total yards. Then, Williams completes to Swift, and the Bears are in Vikings territory.

Vikings 3, Bears 0

8:07 p.m.: FIELD GOAL! Will Reichard's 52-yard field goal is good, and Minnesota opens the scoring.

8:06 p.m.: Minnesota can't take advantage of the short field position, as Sam Darnold throws tw1o incomplete passes to open the game.

8:04 p.m.: On their first drive, the Bears go for it on fourth-and-short, but D'Andre Swift is tackled at the line of scrimmage. The Vikings get the ball from the Chicago 39. 

8:01 p.m.: We are underway from Minnesota! The Bears will get the ball from the 30 to start the game.

7:41 p.m.: The Vikings walk out of the tunnel wearing their Winter Whiteout uniforms.

7:20 p.m.: This will be Caleb Williams' first appearance on "Monday Night Football" in his career.

7:00 p.m.: Aaron Jones arrives to the stadium with his signature sombrero.

6:41 p.m.: For the Bears, running back D'Andre Swift is officially active, while Roschon Johnson is out with a concussion.

6:36 p.m.: Veteran cornerback Stephon Gilmore is the most notable Vikings inactive for tonight.

6:15 p.m.: The Vikings will be wearing their Winter Whiteout uniforms on Monday night.

Bears vs. Vikings start time

  • Date: Monday, Dec. 16
  • Time: 8:00 p.m. ET

The Vikings-Bears game will kick off 15 minutes earlier than 'Monday Night Football' typically starts, as there is a second game tonight between the Falcons and Raiders that will start at 8:30 p.m. ET.

How to watch Bears vs. Vikings

  • TV Channel: ABC
  • Streaming: ESPN+, Fubo

With two games on Monday night this week, the Bears and Vikings will only be broadcast on ABC, as ESPN will have Falcons vs. Raiders. Joe Buck and Troy Aikman will get the call in Minnesota for the game.

The game will also be streamed on ESPN+, and those looking for an alternate streaming option can also use Fubo, which offers a free trial for new users.

Vikings schedule

DateOpponentTime
Dec. 16vs. Chicago Bears8:00 p.m. ET
Dec. 22@ Seattle Seahawks4:05 p.m. ET
Dec. 29vs. Green Bay Packers1:00 p.m. ET
Jan. 5@ Detroit LionsTBD

Bears schedule

DateOpponentTime
Dec. 16@ Minnesota Vikings8:00 p.m. ET
Dec. 22vs. Detroit Lions1:00 p.m. ET
Dec. 26vs. Seattle Seahawks8:15 p.m. ET
Jan. 5@ Green Bay PackersTBD

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Daniel Chavkin

Daniel Chavkin Photo

Daniel Chavkin is a Digital Content Producer for The Sporting News. A 2018 graduate from the University of Maryland, he has previously written for Sports Illustrated, NBC Sports and NFLTradeRumors.com.