Bears vs Vikings: Bears Lead at Halftime

Nov 16, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) pushes Chicago Bears tight end Dante Rosario (88) in the first quarter of their game against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

After all the drama, there’s still some football to be played.  It’s Bears vs Vikings in Week 11.  It was another rough, slow start for the Chicago Bears.  After back to back embarrassments, the Bears returned home to face their division rivals, the Minnesota Vikings in a battle for last place in the North.

The Bears won the toss and opted to defer until the second half.  That strategy appeared to backfire as the Vikings marched down the field to kick a 50-yard Blair Walsh Field Goal.  The Vikings benefited from a 3rd and 3 offsides by Willie Young to extend their drive.

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Then the Bears offense took the field and it became a comedy of errors.  The Bears offense was penalized three times in the first drive including a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct on Cutler in an odd sequence in which Cutler fumbled but the Vikings failed to pick it up.  You know, like the Bears against the Packers in Week 17 last season.  The good news was the Bears managed to hold on to the ball long enough to punt.

Speaking of punting, the Bears defense appeared to hold the Vikings to a 3-and-out on their next drive, but a fake punt flipped the field and on the next play, Teddy Bridgewater hit Eillison for a TD.  Bears down 10-o and the season on the brink as the boo birds let themselves be heard.

The second quarter was a lot different for the Bears.  Jay Cutler and the offense settled down.  With no penalties, Cutler eluded pressure and led the Bears offense on a nice scoring drive capped off by a 27-yard strike to Alshon Jeffery.

After forcing an actual Vikings punt, the Bears took over and hit up another scoring drive.  Cutler was able to cut one loose to Brandon Marshall for 44-yards in a bomb over double coverage.

The 14-10 lead the Bears took following that TD is the first lead the Bears have held since Week 6 in Atlanta.  It’s Week 11.

The Bears defense had a strong outing.  Jared Allen appears to be properly motivated.  He’s been in the Vikings backfield all game long and had  a sack and a few nice pressures.  Lance Briggs seems to have woken up from the daze he’s been in and looks ready to play.

In the second half, the Bears cannot be complacent, like they did on the final drive when they were content to run the clock out rather than to try to push the ball downfield with about a minute and a half in the half.

Can the Bears end their three-game skid?  Stay tuned for the second half to find out.