*Blair Walsh nailed a 36-yard field goal as time expired to power the Minnesota Vikings (5-2) to a 23-20 victory over the Chicago Bears (2-5) at Soldier Field. Here is what you need to know: *
- Teddy Bridgewater struggled mightily for most of the day, but drove the Vikings for 10 points in the final five minutes to earn the win. It was Two-Minute Teddy's fifth career fourth-quarter or overtime comeback (trailing or tied). For much of the day, Bridgewater was wildly off target, often throwing high off his back foot. His terrible pre-half interception completely swung momentum toward Chicago. Give the young quarterback credit for keeping his head on straight to engineer the comeback with big help from his receivers.
- You can only contain Stefon Diggs for so long. After Vic Fangio's defense held the spectacular rookie in check most of the game, the receiver busted loose to change the outcome of the game. Diggs deked a defender out of his shoes on a beautifully run route, then took it to pay dirt for the game-tying score late in the fourth quarter. Diggs runs routes like a five-year vet. The 40-yard TD gave him six catches for 95 yards, the fourth straight game with six-plus catches and 80-plus yards to start his career.
- Alshon Jeffery was dominant again for the Bears. His touchdown at the end of the half displayed his spectacular ability to contort his body while high-pointing the ball. The Bears' offense is 30 times more dangerous when he's healthy. Jeffery killed Terence Newman on comeback routes all day as the Bears dinked-and-dunked their way down the field. Stats: 10 catches (15 targets), 116 yards, TD.
- Adrian Peterson quit dancing in the backfield and hit the hole harder than he has all season. It was the old All Day, as he picked up chunk yards at a time, finishing with 103 rushing yards. At one point in the first half, he had three consecutive runs of 11, 9 and 12 yards. He was the Vikings offense for most of Sunday.
- The Bears' workhorse, Matt Forte, left early in the second half with a knee injury and did not return. Rookie Jeremy Langford was sturdy in his stead. Langford displayed good patience and vision, but was swallowed for little gain often by a stout Vikings front. Langford had a bad drop late in regulation on third down that led to the Vikings getting the ball for the win. The Bears will be lost if Forte is out long.
- Eddie Royal also left the game with a knee injury.
- Jay Cutler continues to stack steady performances. Cutler made the proper reads, didn't force passes and made a few great throws. Steady. Credit Adam Gase's game plan.
