Flashback: Minnesota Vikings vs. the Chicago Bears in 2017

Take a look back at the 2017 NFL season when the Minnesota Vikings came away with a big win over the Chicago Bears as part of their playoff-clinching run.

The Minnesota Vikings (5-3-1) and Chicago Bears (6-3) are set to face off on Sunday night for first place in the NFC North. The game was originally scheduled for noon, but was switched to prime time last week.

The last time these two teams faced at Soldier Field came on a Monday night last season. The Vikings won 20-17 to improve to 3-2. It was the start of an eight-game winning streak before finishing the season at 13-3.

Minnesota quarterback Sam Bradford made his return from a knee injury after missing the previous three games. He clearly still looked bothered by the injury though. He went 5-for-11 for 36 yards and was sacked four times (one for a safety). His mobility was a real struggle.

The Vikings eventually took Bradford out and inserted Case Keenum under center with 25 seconds left in the first half. Keenum went 17-for-21 for 140 yards and a touchdown. Jerick McKinnon rushed for 95 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries. He also had six receptions for 51 yards. Kyle Rudolph had six receptions for 45 yards and a touchdown.

Harrison Smith recorded an interception deep in Bears territory with 2:32 left in the game. Kai Forbath then made a 26-yard field goal with 16 seconds remaining to close out the game.

For the Bears, Mitchell Trubisky went 12-for-25 for 128 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Jordan Howard had 19 carries for 76 yards. Kendall Wright had four receptions for 46 yards.

Both teams met again in Week 17 at U.S. Bank Stadium and the Vikings won again. 23-10.

Playing in the Windy City has certainly been pretty tough for the Minnesota though. The Vikings have just five wins in Chicago since 1999.

Even the 1998 team only won by three points over there. Yes, the same team that went 15-1 and scored a then NFL record 556 points with Randall Cunningham, Robert Smith, Cris Carter, and rookie sensation Randy Moss defeated the Bears by just three points.

No matter what kind of a team Chicago has or how many injuries they may have, playing at Soldier Field is very tough for Minnesota.

To make things tougher, this year’s Bears team is pretty good. A team that was picked by many to finish last in the division has been quite a surprise under first-year head coach Matt Nagy. They have not made it to the playoffs since 2010, but that could very well change this season.

Linebackers Roquan Smith (rookie) and Khalil Mack have been very good additions to this team. Currently, their defense is ranked third in the NFL and their 19.4 points per game allowed is tied for fourth in the league.

This is still a game the Vikings can win though. If they pull it off, it will without a doubt be their biggest victory of the season and it would really increase their chances of winning the division.

The Vikings lead the all-time series 60-52-2 and have won in six of their past seven meetings with Chicago.

Prediction: Vikings win 24-20