It was over when ...
Minnesota's Ryan Longwell hit a career-long 54-yard field goal as time expired. The Bears came from two scores down to tie the game, and on the ensuing kickoff, Adrian Peterson's 53-yard return put Minnesota in excellent field position for Longwell's winning boot.
Game balls
Peterson entered the game as the NFC leader in yards from scrimmage. He should keep that title for another week after finishing with 224 yards rushing and 9 receiving. He also had 128 yards on returns, giving him 361 all-purpose yards, the third-highest total in NFL history. Chicago's Devin Hester kept the Bears alive, scoring the game's first touchdown on an 89-yard punt return and then, as a receiver, outrunning the Vikings secondary on an 81-yard strike from Griese that tied the game with 1:38 remaining.
Noteworthy
Hester's punt return for a touchdown broke Gale Sayers' franchise record for returns. Hester has nine TD returns (five punts, three kickoff, one missed FG) in his brief career. ... Vikings WR Troy Williamson scored his first touchdown since Week 4 of 2005, on a career-long, 60-yard reception.