The Minnesota Vikings did everything they could in the final half-minute of regulation to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
But – much like the Kansas City Chiefs did in Charlotte on Sunday, at a game happening at the same time (and ending by the same exact score) – Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold and kicker Parker Romo were able to save the day, as Romo hit a 29-yard field goal to beat the Chicago Bears in Chicago, 30-27.
The Vikings (9-2) led the NFC North Division game, 27-16, adding a field goal to that lead right after the two-minute warning, a 26-yarder by Romo. It looked like that would be it for the Bears.
But Deandre Carter – who muffed a punt in the third quarter that essentially gave Minnesota a touchdown – put the Bears in great position with a 55-yard kick return after Romo’s field goal. Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams, the rookie and Heisman Trophy-winner out of Southern Cal, led the Bears on a quick scoring drive, capped by a 1-yard pass from Williams to Keenan Allen. D.J. Moore caught a two-point conversion to get the Bears within three (27-24).
Then, the Bears did one of the things most unlikely in the NFL: they actually recovered an onside kick. Williams connected with Moore on a 27-yard pass to Minnesota’s 30-yard-line, then spiked the ball and gave it to Cairo Santos, who didn’t disappoint: a 48-yard field goal as time in regulation ran out.
Chicago (4-7) won the coin toss before the overtime session, but Williams was sacked, putting them in a deep hole on third down before they punted. Darnold guided the offense on a 10-play drive down to Chicago’s 12 – the big play was a 29-yard pass to tight end T.J. Hockenson. Darnold knelt, and Romo kicked the game-winner from there.
Darnold, who also threw touchdown passes to Jalen Nailor and to Jordan Addison, threw for 330 yards in the win. Williams had more passing yards (340) in the loss.
The Bears have a short week; they play at another NFC North rival, Detroit, at 11:30 a.m. Central time on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, on CBS. Minnesota hosts Arizona at noon Central on FOX.
