SB Nation Minnesota - Snowed: Vikings Get Thumped By Bears, 40-14

Vikings Get Crushed By Bears, 40-14

2010-12-21T05:26:05Z

(Sports Network) – Jay Cutler threw three touchdown passes to help the Chicago Bears clinch the NFC North with a 40-14 pasting of the Vikings in their first outdoor home game in 29 years.

Chicago (10-4) clinched its division for the first time since 2006, when the Bears eventually lost to Indianapolis in the Super Bowl, thanks to the win and Green Bay’s loss to New England on Sunday night. Chicago is the first team in the NFL to wrap up its division.

Several other stories cropped up during the game, including the injury of Minnesota quarterback Brett Favre and Chicago’s Devin Hester setting an NFL record for combined kickoff and punt return touchdowns.

Favre was not expected to play but was upgraded to questionable on Monday, then given the go-ahead to start. He missed last week’s loss to the Giants, ending his record for consecutive starts at 297.

But he didn’t finish the game against Chicago. In the second quarter, Favre dropped back to pass and was wrapped up by lineman Corey Wootton, who slammed the quarterback to the ground for his first NFL sack.

Favre landed on his left shoulder while his head bounced off the frozen ground.

Medical staff came out, but Favre walked off the field under his own power before Minnesota punted the ball. Rookie Joe Webb finished the game under center for the Vikings.

Hester came into the game with 13 touchdowns on kickoff and punt returns. In the third quarter, he fielded a punt and ran down the right sideline 64 yards into the end zone for No. 14, which broke the record he shared with Brian Mitchell.

It was Hester’s 10th career punt return for a touchdown, tying a record set by Eric Metcalf.

The first outdoor game in Minnesota since December 20, 1981 happened because the Metrodome is still undergoing repairs after the roof collapsed last week due to a heavy snowstorm.

Minnesota played last week at Detroit’s Ford Field, while this game was held at the University of Minnesota’s TCF Bank Stadium.

It snowed lightly throughout the contest, while the game-time temperature was 19 degrees — with the wind chill bringing that figure down to nine degrees.

Chicago Bears 40, Minnesota Vikings 14 - Yawn

2010-12-21T04:25:33Z

Yep, the Bears scored again. . .another field goal by Robbie Gould.

Yes, this game has become every bit as exciting as I’ve just made it sound. Thankfully, there are only about seven minutes left before it’s over.

With seven minutes left in the football game, the Bears lead the Vikings 40-14.

Chicago Bears 37, Minnesota Vikings 14 - Just Make The Hurting Stop

2010-12-21T04:03:43Z

The Vikings had another three and out, and the Bears capitalized on it again.

Minnesota was lucky to not give up another touchdown, as Jay Cutler threw a third-down pass just slightly behind Johnny Knox that allowed Frank Walker to get a hand in and break it up. The Bears did convert a 34-yard field goal by Robbie Gould, though, to increase their lead to 23.

With thirty seconds left in the third quarter, the Vikings trail the Bears 37-14. Lorenzo Booker has just gotten a nice kickoff return into Chicago territory. We’ll see if the Vikings can do anything with it.

Chicago Bears 34, Minnesota Vikings 14 - Vikings Defense Gets Shredded

2010-12-21T03:50:42Z

The Vikings allowed another huge kickoff return, and the Bears capitalized on it again.

Daniel Manning. . .apparently getting a turn because Devin Hester was tired or something. . .returned the Ryan Longwell kickoff to the Bears’ 40-yard line, and Chicago made it look easy from there. Jay Cutler’s third touchdown pass of the night came on a strike over the middle to Rashied Davis, and the Bears moved their lead back to 20.

With 5:16 left in a third quarter that seems to have gone on forever, the Bears lead the Vikings 34-14.

Chicago Bears 27, Minnesota Vikings 14 - Joe Webb Gets Into The End Zone

2010-12-21T03:42:33Z

Joe Webb might not be doing much as a passer right now, but he just showed that he’s got all the athleticism you could possibly want.

The Vikings got a big interference call against Bears’ safety Major Wright to move the ball into Chicago territory. After a completion to Percy Harvin and a short gain by Toby Gerhart, Webb faked a give to Toby, rolled out to the right, and simply took off for the end zone. He beat a couple of Bears to the pylon, and registered his first touchdown as an NFL player.

The run was officially 13 yards.

With 9:47 left in the third quarter, the Vikings are kicking. . .sort of. . .as they trail 27-14.

Chicago Bears 27, Minnesota Vikings 7 - History Delayed, Not Denied

2010-12-21T03:33:35Z

You know that whole thing I said about the Vikings keeping Devin Hester from that return touchdown record?

Yeah. . .let’s just forget I said that.

The Vikings went three-and-out on their first offensive series of the third quarter, and proceeded to punt to Devin Hester. Hester took the line drive off of the foot of Chris Kluwe and went, literally, untouched down the right sideline for a 64-yard punt return touchdown. There was a penalty flag on the play, but it was an illegal motion call against the Vikings.

The Vikings trail the Bears, 27-7, with 12:06 left in the second quarter, as the NFC North’s best team is 27 minutes away from locking up the NFC North division championship and moving themselves into the #2 seed in the NFC.

Chicago Bears 20, Minnesota Vikings 7 - Vikings Prevent History

2010-12-21T03:26:21Z

The Vikings nearly got themselves off to a disastrous start to the second half, as Devin Hester actually got his hands on the football. Hester took the opening kickoff of the second half and returned in 79 yards to the Minnesota 6-yard line, but the Vikings kept him out of the end zone. A touchdown would have allowed Hester to take sole possession of the all-time NFL record for kick and punt return touchdowns.

The Vikings’ defense held firm, though, keeping the Bears to a 23-yard Robbie Gould field goal.

Less than a minute into the second half, and the Vikings trail the Chicago Bears by a score of 20-7.

Brett Favre Doubtful With Head Injury - Webb In At Quarterback

2010-12-21T02:46:41Z

On the Vikings’ final offensive play of their previous drive, Brett Favre was sacked by Corey Wootton and slammed his head hard on the TCF Bank Stadium turf. He needed help to get off of the field, and has been ruled as doubtful to return with a “head injury.”

That’s just fancy talk for “concussion.” He’s not coming back tonight.

For better or worse, it looks like the Joe Webb era is getting its start tonight in Minnesota after all.