Plenty of Blame to Go Around as Bears Fall to Vikings 23-20 in Overtime

Dec 1, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Brian Robison (96) sacks Chicago Bears quarterback Josh McCown (12) in the fourth quarter at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. Vikings win 23-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

But don’t just hang this one on the defense; the offense squandered opportunities.  When the Bears took a 20-10 lead in the third quarter, with Josh McCown and Alshon Jeffery just out playing catch while the Vikings watched Jeffery break the Bears’ single game receiving record that he set just a few weeks ago.

There was a key sequence about midway through the 4th quarter that very well might have changed the course of this game.  The Vikings had just scored a touchdown to cut the lead to 20-17.  Josh McCown was trying to make a Favre-esque shovel pass while eluding the Vikings rush and the ball ended up in the unlikely hands of right guard Kyle Long, who fumbled the ball away, setting the Vikings up with choice field position.

What seemed to be a three-and-out in the next series ended up being extended by an inexcusable taunting penalty by Jon Bostic after he stuffed the Vikings short of a third down conversion.  Bostic was bailed out by fellow rookie Khaseem Greene, who picked off a tipped Cassel pass and returned it to midfield.

Matt Forte ripped off a 9-yard run on first down, but the Bears failed to gain a single yard on the next two runs and punted away a golden opportunity from the 41 yard line to extend their lead.  Next thing you know, the Vikings are marching for the game-tying score.

The Bears’ special teams don’t get off the hook without some blame.  Congrats to Robbie Gould on becoming a new dad.  Regardless of the decisions made from the sidelines (and we’ll get to that in a minute), he’s got to make the kick when called upon.  The Bears were handed a GIFT – a Christmukkah miracle – when a facemask penalty nullified a Blair Walsh game winner.