Vikings clinch playoffs with win over reeling Bears, 30-12

Aaron Jones and Cam Akers had touchdown runs in the second half to complement an unrelenting defense, and the Vikings forged a tie for first place in the NFC North on Monday night by beating the Chicago Bears 30-12 for their seventh consecutive victory.

The Vikings (12-2), who clinched a spot in the playoffs with Seattle’s loss to Green Bay, caught their big break when Detroit’s 11-game winning streak was stopped by Buffalo earlier on Sunday.

Justin Jefferson had seven catches for 73 yards, among them a touchdown from Sam Darnold in the first quarter that was set up by Jonathan Greenard’s sack and forced fumble on Caleb Williams.

The defense picked up the vibe, allowing the Bears to convert just one of 12 third downs and one of three fourth downs. Williams was exhausted from having to sprint around so much to avoid being sacked, doubling over on the bench at one point in the fourth quarter.

Williams managed to keep alive his NFL rookie record streak of 286 straight passes without an interception for the eighth straight game, but the Bears (4-10) have lost all of those.

The first overall pick in the 2024 draft went 18 for 31 for 191 yards and threw a late touchdown pass to Keenan Allen after a blocked punt gave Chicago the ball at the Minnesota 27.

D’Andre Swift rushed 19 times for 79 yards for the Bears, who’ve been outscored 53-0 in the first half over the last three games. According to Sportradar, they’re the first team with three consecutive scoreless first halves since Jacksonville in 2018.


(AP Photo Abbie Parr)